JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - Every year around the holidays, some families experience added stress. Maybe because of visiting relatives, finding the last doll, or cooking for dozens. But for some on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, one stress that is avoided is the buying of a Christmas tree.
Service members arrived at the Northwest Adventure Center on JBLM North Fort to claim a free Christmas tree during this year's "Trees for Troops" event Dec. 3.
The program is designed to bring holiday cheer to military Families by providing a free tree, symbolizing a touch of home, to deployed Soldiers and help their families share memories of Christmas, said Laura Lad, Director of Outdoor Recreation at the Northwest Adventure Center.
"It felt good to get a Christmas tree," said Airman 1st Class Taylor Walker, 627th Airbase Group. "The pressure of paying for a tree is gone so now I can get more into the holiday spirit by decorating it."
For the families who did not receive a tree on Dec. 3, they received a voucher to come back on Dec. 10 when the next shipment of trees is scheduled to arrive. After the families redeem their vouchers and received their tree, the trees left over will be available to any family in the pay grades of E-1 to E-5.
"Trees for Troops" became a national program in 2005 when the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, a charitable organization of the National Christmas Tree Association, unified the individual programs of tree growers and state Christmas Tree Associations. The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation partnered with the FedEx Corporation to ship the Christmas trees from the tree growers and delivered to military bases.
Walker was one of hundreds of service members who experienced the joy of a free Christmas tree. If the service member was not available to claim a tree for their Family, spouses could pick up the tree with their own ID card.
"This program is awesome," said Haley Rodriguez, who arrived with her daughter to pick up their tree. "They made it convenient for the spouse to come and pick up the tree when the Soldier couldn't. It also helped take of some stress off of trying to buy a tree."
Even through the cool brisk air, Rodriguez, Walker and hundreds other families left with a free tree and smiling faces.
"It felt great to give trees to the troops," said Lad. "The program has been going strong for 11 years at the Northwest Adventure Center and longer with the MWR. Not only is this a great morale booster, but a great way to show appreciation for what the Soldiers do everyday."
Last year, JBLM received approximately 800 trees from the program, which were all gone in two and a half days. This year the base will have more than 1,000 trees to hand out to service members.
"The Christmas tree is a symbol to gather around during Christmas," said Rodriguez. "It wouldn't feel like home without a Christmas tree; it brings it all together."
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