What becomes of those unsold Christmas trees?

Some are turned into mulch. Coe’s Holiday Specialties in Manteca did just that along with donating some to local shelters and to other good causes.

Included was the 4th annual Cocoa with Santa hosted by the Lathrop Police Department, Cops for the Community, and the City of Lathrop.

According to local police, Coe’s Specialties provided 10 Christmas trees for this annual event which took place on Dec. 17.

Local businesses stepped in, sponsoring and decorating the trees before raffling them to families in the community.

“Officers delivered some trees to residents while others were picked up by lucky families that same night,” added police, who applauded Coe’s Holiday Specialties and the participating businesses for spreading holiday cheers.

They also thanked volunteers and community members for their support of Cocoa with Santa.

“It was wonderful to see so many families come together to celebrate the holiday season,” said Lathrop police.

Coe’s Holiday Specialties is the longest seasonal businesses of its kind in the area.

For 26 years, the Christmas tree lot currently at 1156 N. Union Rd. near Lathrop Road has been holiday fixture, offering fresh Oregon-grown trees ranging Noble fir, Douglas fir, and Nordmann fir, from table top to 14 footers.

The seasonal business formerly known as Beck’s Holiday Specialties – Rick and Julie Beck were the previous owners – continues to stay in the family with Daniel Coe and his wife, Breanna, taking over the tree lot in recent years.