At this time of year, New York City-based leather club Excelsior MC usually holds a Trim-a-Tree event at the Eagle NYC bar, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year, on December 4, the event was on Zoom, and raised more than $3,000 (and counting) on that night for New Alternatives, which assists homeless LGBTQ youth. By December 8, the total raised was up to $4,787 (and counting). Excelsior's drive runs through January 15, 2021 and donations can be made at https://fundraise.newalternativesnyc.org/trimatree2020. Sponsors were the Leatherman leather shop, on Christopher Street, and the Eagle NYC.
Mr. Eagle NYC Leather 2011 and Mr. Fire Island Leather 2018 CB Kirby and drag superstar Candy Samples hosted the Zoomcast. Past Excelsior President and Mr Fire Island Leather 2015 Edd Clark sang a country song (“If I knew where all the bad boys live/Hell, I’d be jolly, too”). André Salas, of the Leatherman, showed a sexy silent film, complete with old-fashioned player piano accompaniment, of Mr. Eagle 2020 Mike Jeavons being fitted at the store for chaps, jock, black leather shirt, and harness.
Candy Samples sang entertaining original songs “A Very Beary Christmas (to you)” and “Christmas Gift.” And Edd and Excelsior MC Historian Gabriel Rivas, as Shelley Winters Black, contributed a performance of “(We’ve got) That Holiday Feeling.” Gabriel’s display of the shields of participating leather clubs completed the 90-minute Zoomcast.