Christmas tree farmers are donating trees to military bases and families this year
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
With Christmas only about a month away, Christmas tree producers are helping ensure troops and military families have a tree to celebrate around this year.
In Michigan, for example, Tannenbaun Farms and Korson’s Tree Farms are providing more than 200 trees through the Trees for Troops program.
“Our goal to help spread joy to military families with a real Michigan grown Christmas tree,” the Michigan Christmas Tree Association said.
Tannenbaum Farms will hold a truck-loading event on Nov. 18.
This program, which started in 2005, is expecting to deliver 15,300 trees to 84 U.S. military bases in 2022. Trees for Troops has delivered more than 277,000 Christmas trees since its inception.
Michigan’s Christmas tree growers donate more than 1,000 trees each year.
In Ohio, the Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Christmas Tree Association are providing trees to military members stationed overseas.
In addition, the tree shipments will include decorations courtesy of local schools, churches and veterans’ groups.
“Sending our servicemen and women a piece of home during the holidays while they are serving our country overseas is one small way we can show our deep appreciation for the sacrifices they make on our behalf,” ODA Director Dorothy Pelanda said in a statement.
In New York, Romangnoli’s Christmas Tree Farm in Canastota is among the farms in the state also contributing to Trees for Troops.
The farm has increased the number of trees it donates each year.
“I think the first year was maybe 100 trees or so we sent out. Since then we’ve been sending out more and more,” Dewey Romangnoli, owner of Romangnoli’s Christmas Tree Farm, told WSYR.
The farm has collected about 350 trees and is looking to have 1,000 trees ready for shipment on Nov. 28.
Anyone who wishes to donate to Trees for Troops can make a monetary contribution through its website.