Trees for Troops providing holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Hada
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  As part of the seventh annual Trees for Troops event, tree farmers from across the mid-west donated 175 Christmas trees to the 28th Force Support Squadron Outdoor Recreation Center Dec. 5, when they would then be picked up by military families.

The event was sponsored by the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and the trees were transported free of charge by freight haulers to various military installations as a way of thanking servicemembers and their families for their many sacrifices.

"It's an exceptional event for Airmen, especially for families of our deployed Airmen ...," said Troy Hampton, 28th Force Support Squadron outdoor recreation center aid. "It's a way to show appreciation and support for the people who protect our freedom on a regular basis."

Farmers from Iowa, Kansas and Missouri donated the trees sent to Ellsworth and were unloaded by approximately 20 volunteers from various squadrons and base organizations.

"It's a great feeling to help people out and raise morale around the base," said Airman 1st Class Justin Ashley, 28th Contracting Squadron contracting administrator and volunteer. "It's about helping other people's families come closer and thinking about all the good and happiness these trees will bring."

The event is largely geared toward families of deployed Airmen, but all Ellsworth personnel, South Dakota National Guardsmen and Douglas High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets are also eligible to receive a free tree.

"This program is absolutely fantastic," said Col. Kerry Britt, 28th Mission Support Squadron commander. "We're really appreciative to the Christmas SPIRIT foundation and the local community for supporting us for the last seven years by being able to provide these trees for the men and women in uniform."

Britt added that Ellsworth could not be more proud to be members of the community and is very appreciative of everything the local area offers to Airmen.

Many of the trees were adorned with tags containing heartfelt messages from the tree farmer to the family who would eventually receive them.

Kristen Dvorak, spouse of Staff Sgt. Brian Dvorak, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, was one of the many spouses who picked up a tree for the holidays.

"It means so much for my family and I to have support during the holiday season," said Dvorak.

This year, Trees for Troops hopes to deliver more than 17,000 trees in total with a majority of those going to military families stationed at military installations across the nation.  The deliveries will take place at approximately 60 bases covering every branch of the armed services.