FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 25 2015) -- Trees for Troops returns for the 11th year to Wetherby Field Dec. 2 where free live Christmas Trees will be distributed to active-duty Soldiers or their spouses from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. - or until they run out of trees.
Each December, FedEx and the Christmas Spirit Foundation work with Christmas tree farmers around the country to donate Christmas trees to Soldiers. This year, Amanda Reitz, Special Events and Adventure Programs coordinator for the Fort Benning Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare, said 650 trees are expected to arrive at Fort Benning.
In 2014, Fort Benning received over 900 trees from farms in North Carolina. According to www.treesfortroops.org, Trees for Troops delivered a grand total of 18,032 trees in 2014 with a majority of those going to military Families stationed at installations across the U.S, Middle East and Guam. The deliveries took place at more than 60 bases covering every branch of the armed services the first two weeks in December.
"A Christmas tree brings Family and friends around during the holidays and is something beautiful and joyful," Reitz said.
The annual event takes the financial burden off Soldiers and Families during the holiday season.
The foundation provides free, farm-grown Christmas trees to members in all branches of the military and their Families, through donations, sponsorships, grants and the work of many volunteers.
Along with the tree comes a tag with a special message from the growers' customers, Family members, other growers as well as Families or kids from the community, and sometimes, local school or scout groups. Reitz said the hope is that each Soldier or their Family gets a nice thank you or holiday message along with their Christmas tree.
DFMWR warns that supplies are limited. Soldiers will be on site to help load the trees on to or in vehicles.
Soldiers not in uniform and Family members must present proper identification to receive a tree.
Reitz said that if anyone would like to support Trees for Troops or donate a tree, the need is there. Those interested can visit, www.christmasspiritfoundation.org.
"It is imperative for us to find more financial support to continue the Trees for Troops program in the future," a representative from the Christmas Spirit Foundation said.
For information, call 706-545-9636, visit www.benningmwr.com/special-events-2 or visit their Facebook page at BenningDFMWRfans.
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