PENNSYLVANIA — This holiday season, consider donating a Christmas tree to Trees for Troops. This program helps bring the holiday spirit to military families by providing them with a donated tree. Trees for Troops is a national program that provides free, farm-grown Christmas trees to armed forces members and their families each holiday season through donations, sponsorships, grants, and the work of volunteers.
On Friday, PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Col. Donald O’Shell, Director of Staff, Headquarters Pennsylvania Air National Guard, kicked off the 2022 Trees for Troops donation weekend at Strathmeyer Christmas Trees in York. They encouraged Pennsylvanians to donate trees to active-duty military and their families. “It’s prime holiday decorating time,” said Redding. “As you search for a tree that feels right for your home, think about the servicemen and women who would enjoy a donated Christmas tree to serve as a little reminder of home.”
Since 2005, Trees for Troops has provided more than 277,001 Christmas trees to military families and troops in the United States and overseas. The program relies on the generosity of donors and sponsors to provide trees to military families. You can help by donating a tree, monetarily sponsoring a tree, or volunteering your time to help distribute trees.
Donating or sponsoring a tree helps to ensure that a military family will have a tree this holiday season. volunteering your time is also a great way to give back. You can help with everything from tree collection and transport to tree distribution and set-up. No matter how you choose to help, your contribution will make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country.
So, this holiday season, join Trees for Troops and help bring the holiday spirit to military families. A small donation can mean so much. For more information on Trees for Troops or how you can donate a tree, visit christmasspiritfoundation.org. Pennsylvanians can participate in the program by visiting a participating location to purchase a tree to donate to service members. The program operates this weekend.
“At the DMVA, we work under the axiom of Together We Serve, which is exactly what we are all doing here today. Together, we are brightening the holiday season for service members and their families,” said Col. Donald O’Shell, director of staff, Headquarters – Pennsylvania Air National Guard. “The DMVA is grateful to the Department of Agriculture, Strathmeyer Christmas Trees and everyone here today for taking the time to load and distribute these trees. These efforts will lift spirits, bring joy and remind our military members and their families that their service to our nation is appreciated.”
Trees for Troops program is part of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, a nonprofit branch of the National Christmas Tree Association, which represents more than 700 active member farms, 29 state and regional associations, and more than 4,000 affiliated businesses that grow and sell Christmas trees or provide related supplies and services.
For more information about the Department of Agriculture’s military and veterans in agriculture initiatives, visit agriculture.pa.gov.
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