Trees for Troops: Bringing Holiday Cheer to Military Families

Launched in 2005 by the Christmas Spirit Foundation, the "Trees for Troops" program aims to provide free Christmas trees to families and active-duty servicemembers stationed at military bases across the United States. Since its inception, the program has successfully distributed over 326,000 Christmas trees, with plans to exceed 19,000 trees in 2025, sourced from more than 340 farms in 28 states. Rick Dungey, the executive director of the Christmas Spirit Foundation, noted the program's growth from 4,300 trees delivered to five bases in its first year to its current scale, which involves gathering trees from 56 locations within a tight 10-day timeframe.

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FedEx has been a crucial partner in the Trees for Troops initiative, facilitating the transportation of trees to military families. Shannon Davis, a spokesperson for FedEx, emphasized the company's commitment, stating, “For 21 years, FedEx Freight has been honored to carry more than just cargo alongside the Christmas Spirit Foundation — we carry a piece of home to the doorsteps of our nation’s military families.” Community involvement is also significant, with volunteers, including National Guard members, participating in the distribution and packing of trees. Local farms, such as New York’s Ellms Family Farm, have been integral to the program, with owner Garth Ellms highlighting the emotional connection that service members feel when receiving a tree.

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The Trees for Troops program not only provides a festive touch to the holiday season but also alleviates financial burdens for military families. According to the Military Family Advisory Network, one in four active-duty military families faces food insecurity, a stark contrast to one in eight households nationwide. By removing the cost of a Christmas tree from their budgets, the program allows these families to celebrate the holidays more fully. Wendy Richardson of Richardson Farms in Illinois remarked on the significance of the initiative, stating, “Nothing says ‘Merry Christmas’ or starts the holidays more than a real tree.”

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While the program has been widely praised, some critics point out that the need for such initiatives highlights broader systemic issues facing military families, including financial instability and food insecurity. The reliance on charitable programs to provide basic holiday comforts raises questions about the adequacy of support for service members and their families.

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• “That first year, we were able to do 4,300 trees to five different bases,” — Rick Dungey, Executive Director, Christmas Spirit Foundation

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• “Delivering these trees is our way of saying ‘thank you’ and helping light the holidays for service members and their loved ones.” — Shannon Davis, Spokesperson, FedEx

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• “To help our troops enjoy that moment or memory is why we continue to do this.” — Garth Ellms, Owner, Ellms Family Farm

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• “The smell, the memories of getting a tree — whether it’s at a tree farm or when it’s delivered to the base — it’s a very warm feeling for us to see people appreciating that tree.” — Wendy Richardson, Owner, Richardson Farms

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The Trees for Troops program exemplifies a community-driven effort to support military families during the holiday season, fostering a sense of connection and gratitude among those who serve.

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