Free Christmas trees available to Team Scott Dec. 1 at club

24 Nov 2010 | Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane

On Dec. 1, members of Scott Air Force Base and their families can pick up a free Christmas tree at the Scott Club compliments of the Trees for Troops Foundation.
Trees, ranging in height from 5 to 7 feet, are on a first come, first served basis and the USO will be on site to provide hot chocolate and coffee.

This is the fifth year the Trees for Troops program has donated trees to Scott. While an emphasis is placed on families with a deployed or deploying member, anyone with an affiliation to Scott is eligible for a free tree.

"Being separated from loved ones during the holidays is one of the most trying times for military members and their families," the site, www.christmasspiritfoundation.org reads. "While no substitute for togetherness, our Trees for Troops program gives just a little joy to service members and their families during Christmas."

The program was created in 2005 when the National Christmas Tree Association created a Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and developed the Trees for Troops program with the help of FedEx to send trees to troops serving overseas and their families living on military bases.

The program delivered 4,300 trees its first year to troops and military families at five bases in the U.S. and overseas. Now, more than 65,000 real Christmas trees have been distributed to families in every branch of the military at more than 50 bases in 17 countries. More than 800 tree farms and retail lots in 27 states have donated trees. FedEx Freight trucks have traveled nearly 200,000 over-the-road miles to pick up and deliver the trees.

This year, more than 15,000 trees will be delivered with at least 400 traveling to overseas locations.

For additional information, call the Force Support Marketing Office at 256-3766.