This clock time of twelvemonth is peculiarly special for a sphere of growers who base their businesses on the traditions of the season . So it ’s no surprise that Christmas - Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree farmers have come together to make pass along the disembodied spirit of the holidays in a mode only they can : by providing alive Christmas Tree to the valet and women who serve our country .
This year , more than 700 farms from 28 commonwealth provide about 18,400 Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to the troops through the Christmas Spirit Foundation ’s Trees for Troops program . The trees were extradite to 65 military bases in the U.S. , as well as to bases in Kuwait , Bahrain and Spain .
“ People appreciate the sacrifices military member and their syndicate make each and every twenty-four hours , ” says Dick Moore , chairwoman of the National Christmas Tree Association and owner of Moore Tree Farm LLC in Groton , N.Y. “ As Christmas - tree diagram farmers , we want to provide a lilliputian Christmas spirit and maybe start a new tradition with military families to be able to get a traditional Christmas with a tangible tree . ”
The Trees for Troops program reached an important milestone this year by donate its 100,000th tree diagram since the nonprofit program began in 2005 . It was get by Sgts . Jonathan and Jessica Felix and their children Kaya and Jonathan II .
Whether the trees made it to the homes of family unit , like the Fieldses , who had a elusive time adjusting to their permanent change of station , or others like the Prices at Fort Bragg , who welcomed their father and husband home this Christmas , this twelvemonth ’s Christmas - tree donation were enjoy and appreciated by their recipients . Many expressed their thanks on the Trees for soldiery website and Facebook page . Here are some of their level :
“ We have four fry who were overjoyed to get a tree diagram from [ Trees for Troops ] this week . It was our first time putting it up without dad . I think it fell over three times , only one strand of lighter work , and I am sure our effort to give it a fresh cutting with a teetotal - wall saw was pretty entertaining to watch . These were all thing that made us express joy and realize just how much we trust on our miss family member . We last let the tree up and it is gorgeous!”–Cherise , Virginia Beach , Va.
“ I went to Luke Air Force Base with my son , Conrad , this dawn to pluck up a Christmas Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . He is stationed at Luke . Just as we were tot the light , two F-16s fly overhead . I live on about 15 miles from floor , and it ’s uncommon for me to hear the blue jet , let alone to in reality see them fly . It was just such perfect timing that I could n’t help but believe it was divine interference . It brought tears to my eyes and a prayer of thanks for the troops , past and present , who have sacrifice to give us freedom . ”–Cheryl N. , Phoenix , Ariz.
“ My hubby is deploy this class and will be miss Christmas . He also missed the nascence of our first kid and will be meeting her this Jan. 2012 once he is home . I just wanted to give thanks [ Trees for Troops ] and the Delp Tree Farm from St. John , Kan. , which is where our Christmas tree is from . It is such a beautiful tree , and we are so thankful that it was donated to us for our daughter ’s first Christmas . Without their generousness , we would not have had a tree diagram this class . ” – The Hubbell Family , Rapid City , S.D.
If you are a tree farmer and want to take part in the 2012 Trees for Troops , there are several ways you could help :
receive more selective information about how you’re able to avail on theNational Christmas Tree Association websiteor by get through Amy Mills at the Christmas Spirit Foundation at 636 - 449 - 5060 .
