JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS Va. - –
Fort Eustis will receive 600 Christmas trees to be given to all active-duty U.S. Service members and their families for free on a first-come, first-served basis as a part of the "Trees for Troops" giveaway program, Dec. 9.
The "Trees for Troops" event has been hosted at Fort Eustis for the past eight years, receiving between 500 and 600 trees each year. The program is sponsored by the Christmas Spirit Foundation, an organization that works to recognize and support what they believe is the true spirit of the holidays for Service members and their families, according to their program website, www.treesfortroops.org.
"This is a great opportunity for Service members," said Michael Farist, 733rd Force Support Division warehouse manager. "They have the ability to save the money they might have spent on a tree and use it for other things like their holiday meal or gifts."
Since 2005, "Trees for Troops" has provided more than 121,000 Christmas Trees to military families and troops in all branches of the military at 69 bases in the U.S. and overseas. The trees are provided from various tree farms from donations.
Once a tree is chosen from underneath the covered pavilion at Schultz Place, volunteers will assist with picking up, moving and securing of their new Christmas tree.
"Hundreds of donors and volunteers participate each year to make 'Trees for Troops' happen," said Farist. "We wouldn't be able to provide as much as we do without the help of the Service members that volunteer to help during the events."
Farist recommends bringing personal ropes or something to tie down the trees, as well as a blanket to lie across the roof of a vehicle so it is not to damage it.
For more information, contact Farist at 878-2002.