Christmas trees from 25 growers across NH and Vermont were collected at the Society for the Protection of NH Forests Rocks Estate Christmas Tree Farm in Bethlehem as part of a nationwide effort called “Trees for Troops.” This program provides Christmas trees to US military families at home and abroad.
Nigel Manley, manager of the Rocks Christmas Tree Farm and chair of the national Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, the organizer of the Trees for Troops program, coordinates the tree collection. Trees were donated by growers from both states and by regional businesses, schools and individuals. Each year fifth-grade students from the Bethlehem Elementary School help tag and load the trees.
Over 450 trees were loaded by volunteers into a FedEx trailer for delivery to military bases in Georgia. The ommissioner of agriculture, Shawn Jasper, greeted the children and volunteers and thanked them for work. Then the students and volunteers from the Bank of NH, formed an assembly line to load the trees onto the truck while they sang Christmas carols.
The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, the charitable branch of the National Christmas Tree Association, and FedEx have partnered on this effort to boost the Christmas spirit for U.S. military men and women. This year marks the 16th anniversary of the program where Christmas tree growers and retailers have donated real Christmas trees to be distributed at military bases in the U.S. and overseas. Since the program began, more than 260,000 trees have been donated. The trees reach those serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard.
For more information about “Trees for Troops”, visit Christmas Spirit Foundation - Trees for Troops. For more information about where to find Christmas Trees for your own holiday celebration, visit NH VT Christmas Tree Association or NH Christmas Trees.
Current Issue - May 2024