Pennsylvania officials are encouraging residents to help brighten the holidays for service members and their families by supporting the national Trees for Troops program, which provides free, farm-grown Christmas trees to military households each year. Donations can still be made through today at https://www.christmasspiritfoundation.org/Donate.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, First Lady Lori Shapiro and Deputy Adjutant General–Army Maj. Gen. Michael E. Wegscheider joined volunteers and service members Friday at Bustard’s Christmas Trees in Montgomery County, one of four donation sites across the state. They helped cut trees and load trucks bound for bases nationwide.
First Lady Shapiro said Pennsylvania’s participation reflects the state’s gratitude for military families who may be far from home during the holidays. Redding noted that the weekend offers residents “an opportunity for all of us to show gratitude and make the holidays a little brighter for those who serve.”
Trees for Troops, operated by the nonprofit Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, has delivered more than 309,000 free Christmas trees to military families and deployed service members since 2005 through donations, sponsorships, grants and volunteer support. The program partners with growers across the country to send fresh-cut trees and personal greetings to bases in the U.S. and abroad.
Source: pa.gov, Trees For Troops