By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent OXFORD, Mich. — Michigan Christmas tree growers have teamed up to help make the holidays brighter for the nation’s military families.
This holiday season, Trees for Troops expects to collect and deliver about 16,000 real Christmas trees from at least 20 states to military families throughout the United States, as well as to soldiers serving overseas. Trees for Troops is a national program of the Christmas Spirit Foundation, in cooperation with the National Christmas Tree Assoc., state and regional Christmas tree associations and FedEx Freight.
The Trees for Troops program collects and delivers trees to families at 48 military bases across America. FedEx provides free shipping.
On Nov. 29, approximately 350 trees were picked up by FedEx Freight from Candy Cane CHRISTmas Tree Farm in Oxford, Mich., and on Dec. 1 about 700 trees were picked up from Wahmhoff Farms in Gobles. Cathy Genovese of Candy Cane said that farm has contributed to the program since it began six years ago, and it was “really excited for the opportunity” to be a collection point this year.
“We wanted to shed more light on the situation,” she said. “These military families are out there serving all of us. Sometimes the public tends to forget the sacrifices these families are making for all of us.
“It’s nice as Christmas tree farmers, that we can give them something that lets them know we remember them.”
In addition to the trees, local kindergarteners creased ornaments and messages to send along with the trees. Genovese said she was thrilled to receive e-mail feedback from two families who benefited from the program.
One wrote: “I am truly blessed to know you guys and to have grown up in a community where there are so many wonderful and giving people … I hope you know that your efforts and kindness do not go unnoticed. Families everywhere will be blessed to have not just wonderful trees in their home this holiday season, but to know that people are there for them, even if a loved one is overseas.”
Another couple, who received a tree at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois on Dec. 1, wrote: “I am so glad I was there, it touched my heart … The people I met in line seemed truly touched to have a chance to get a fresh tree for free … one woman told me that the only trees she ever gets that don’t lose their needles are the ones she gets from Trees for Troops.
“When we left the parking lot, they were turning out the lights. All 312 trees had a home for the holidays,” she finished.
“This is why we do it,” Genovese said. “Being able to rally up the community and support our troops and their families is a big thing.”
Michigan Christmas Tree Assoc. Executive Director Marsha Gray is proud of the state growers for their support.
“Our association discussed this project for a number of years. Seven years ago, we talked more about what we can offer. We have Christmas trees, and we thought a real Christmas tree could mean an awful lot to families with a loved one stationed overseas,” Gray said.
“Our members are very committed to this project. We want the troops to know that we remember them, and we think about them. This is our small thank-you to the military personnel and to their families.”
The Trees for Troops program was first implemented in 2005 and, with the help of FedEx, delivered more than 4,300 Christmas trees to five U.S. military bases, as well as an overseas shipment to the Middle East that year. Since its inception, the program has delivered more than 66,000 Christmas trees to military families.
The collection and delivery of trees will take place through December. Consumers may make contributions to support the program and the Christmas Spirit Foundation at www.ChristmasSPIRITFoundation.org More information is also available at www.TreesforTroops.org |
