FORT BENNING, Ga., (Dec. 9, 2015) -- The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation with FedEx and the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation on Dec. 2 at Wetherby Field. Trees for Troops provides military Families with a free Christmas tree.
FedEx and the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation connected with tree farmers and individuals nationwide to donate farm-grown Christmas trees to Soldiers and their Families.
FedEx delivered the trees and 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Soldiers, and FedEx volunteers helped unload and distribute them, said Brittany Beadle, manager of Outdoor Recreation at DFMWR.
While waiting in line for their trees, Families enjoyed hot cocoa, candy canes and Christmas music. FedEx volunteers handed out purple Christmas hats and stuffed reindeer to the children, said Beadle.
All trees were given away before noon. There were over 650 Soldiers plus Family members in attendance.
Trees for Troops is important for Fort Benning Families, said Beadle, because it lessens the financial worry placed on Soldiers and their Families during the holidays. It is also a time for military Families to come together and celebrate the holiday season; and, for those Families who have Soldiers overseas, to come together with others to share holiday joyfulness.
"Every year I mark my calendar for Trees for Troops and am so thankful to Fort Benning's DFMWR and FedEx for making it possible," said Melissa Bell, military spouse. "At the event, we walked in and were greeted with smiles and saw the trees lined up row after row... for us! What a great way to start the Christmas season."
Bell said she is appreciative she was of all the kindness received by others thanking Soldiers and their Families for their service.
"For me it is a wonderful feeling to know that there are so many people who are willing to donate their time and trees to spread some holiday cheer and thank us for our service," said Bell. "For my son, it was exciting to see the wonder and amazement of experiencing this holiday tradition for the first time."
Each tree given out came with a tag that included a special message.
"We received a thank you note from a little girl named Kaitey with a beautiful hand-drawn picture of Santa Claus. Wherever you are Kaitey, thank you for the tree. You made our Christmas extra special."
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