‘Trees for Troops’ brings holiday cheer

  • Published
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Beginning Dec. 3, Ellsworth members may pick up a fresh holiday tree through the "Trees for Troops" program, sponsored by the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and FedEx Corp.

This holiday season, "Trees for Troops" is expected to collect and deliver 16,000 real holiday trees from 29 states to military families across the United States, as well as to soldiers serving overseas; Ellsworth will receive 290 trees.

"Our military and their families have been providing a real service to our country," said Mark Steelhammer, president of the National Christmas Tree Association and a tree farmer from Rochester, Wash. As tree farmers, we want them to be able to experience a traditional holiday season with a real tree, especially if a family member is currently serving overseas.

Here, the trees may be picked up at the base Outdoor Recreation. The first group of people eligible will be spouses of deployed staff sergeants and below. The pick-up schedule is as follows:

- Dec. 3 from noon to 4 p.m. (spouses of deployed staff sergeants and below)
- Dec. 4 to 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (staff sergeants and below)
- Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon (staff sergeants and below)
- Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (spouses of deployed company grade officers and below)
- Dec. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CGOs and below)
- Dec. 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open to all Active-duty Airmen and spouses)

In order to guard against fire mishaps, Airmen living in the dormitories may not pick up a tree for use in the dormitories, according to 28th Bomb Wing Safety Office guidance.

The "Trees for Troops" program was launched in 2005, and with the help of FedEx Corp., delivered more than 4,300 trees to five U.S. military bases, as well as an overseas shipment to the Middle East. Since then, the program has delivered 34,000 trees to more than 40 U.S. military bases and to units in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East and the 5th Fleet in the Gulf.

"'Trees for Troops' was a huge success," said Christmas SPIRIT Foundation chairman Nigel Manley, a tree grower in Bethlehem, N.H. "It really resonated with our industry and the military."

Ellsworth marketing projects the same level of success here.

"I hope the 'Trees for Troops' program helps make the holiday season extra-special for all who are able to get a tree," said Carrie Brewer, 28th Force Support Squadron Marketing director. "This is a wonderful program the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and FedEx Corp. have founded; it gives back to those who serve our country and promotes the morale and welfare of our Airmen and their families."

For more information on the tree pick-up schedule, call Ellsworth marketing at (605) 385-4321, or to learn about the program, visit www.TreesforTroops.org.

The appearance of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, the National Christmas Tree Association and FedEx Corp., along with any hyperlinks located in the text of this article, do not constitute endorsement by Ellsworth Air Force Base or the United States Air Force.