Service Members Give Back Through Annual Holiday Initiative Delivering Christmas Trees to Military Families
Annual Tradition Connects Service Members Across the Country
On December 1, service members from the New York Army National Guard and Air National Guard gathered at Ellms Tree Farm in Ballston Spa to participate in the 21st annual Trees for Troops program. Volunteers loaded 150 Christmas trees destined for military bases across the country, continuing a tradition that brings holiday cheer to service members and their families. The program, which began in 2005, has delivered over 326,000 Christmas trees to military families throughout its history. According to the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, which administers the initiative, the program coordinates tree donations from farms and retail locations nationwide, with FedEx providing free transportation. Seven volunteers from the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters in Troy and the 109th Airlift Wing participated in this year’s loading event. Their involvement holds particular significance as 550 members of the 42nd Division are currently deployed to the Middle East, and 200 Airmen from the 109th support Antarctic research operations through Operation Deep Freeze.
Personal Connections to the Mission
For many volunteers, participating in Trees for Troops represents more than community service–it’s a personal connection to experiences they’ve had while deployed. Staff Sgt. Mitchell Mihalko of the Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing exemplifies this connection. After first volunteering in 2021, he was deployed during the 2022 holiday season and received a tree through the program. “To be on both ends of the spectrum, to see the start and the finished product, it made me feel like I had a duty to come back and to return the favor,” Mihalko explained. His experience illustrates the program’s impact on morale during deployments. Receiving a fresh Christmas tree while serving far from home provides tangible connection to holiday traditions and reminds service members that their community supports them.
Logistics and Distribution Network
The Trees for Troops program operates through a sophisticated logistics network coordinated between tree farms, retail locations, the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, and FedEx. Fresh-cut trees are collected at regional staging points before being transported through FedEx distribution centers for delivery to military installations. In New York, trees from this loading event will reach Fort Drum in northern New York, West Point Military Academy, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York City. Nationally, deliveries will reach 88 additional military sites. According to the USO, which supports military families through various programs, initiatives like Trees for Troops complement broader efforts to maintain morale and family connections during deployments and training periods. The seemingly simple act of providing Christmas trees addresses isolation and separation that military families often experience.
Volunteer Participation and Community Support
The loading event attracted volunteers beyond National Guard service members. FedEx employees, including veteran Mark Burby, participated for the fifth time. As a veteran himself, Burby emphasized the importance of veterans supporting one another. “It’s about helping out other vets,” Burby stated. “I’m a vet and that’s what you think when you help out other vets.” This cross-generational support network represents a core strength of military and veteran communities. Programs that enable veterans to give back create meaningful connections and reinforce shared identity and values. Tree farm owners like Garth Ellms of Ellms Family Farms have made the donation a longstanding tradition. The 21-year history of participation from this farm demonstrates sustained commitment to supporting military families. The efficiency of the loading process, accomplished in hours with volunteer labor, reflects the dedication participants bring to the mission.
Impact on Military Family Morale
The Military OneSource program, which provides resources for military families, recognizes that holidays can be particularly challenging during deployments. Separation from loved ones during traditionally family-centered times amplifies stress and loneliness. Programs like Trees for Troops help mitigate these challenges by providing tangible symbols of normalcy and tradition. A Christmas tree in base housing or barracks creates focal points for celebrations and reminds service members of community support. For families, the trees facilitate maintaining holiday traditions despite a parent’s absence. Children can still decorate trees and experience seasonal rituals, providing stability during disruptive deployment periods. The psychological impact extends beyond the immediate recipients. Service members who receive trees often share photos and stories with family and friends back home, spreading awareness of military life and generating broader community support.
Broader Context of Military Support Programs
Trees for Troops operates within a larger ecosystem of military family support initiatives. Organizations including the USO, Armed Services YMCA, and various nonprofit groups work to address challenges facing service members and their families. According to the Department of Defense, maintaining family readiness and morale is essential to military effectiveness. When families struggle with deployments, financial stress, or isolation, service members’ focus and performance can suffer. Support programs help stabilize families and enable service members to concentrate on their missions. The National Guard faces unique challenges compared to active-duty forces. Guard members typically maintain civilian careers and lives, activating for deployments, training, and emergency responses. This dual identity creates specific stressors as members transition between civilian and military roles. Programs that recognize and support Guard families acknowledge these distinctive circumstances.
Looking Ahead
As the holiday season progresses, the 150 trees loaded at Ellms Farm will arrive at their destinations, bringing moments of joy and normalcy to military families across the country. The continued success of Trees for Troops depends on sustained participation from tree farms, logistics partners like FedEx, and volunteers who donate time and effort. Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Felix of the Air National Guard captured the reciprocal nature of the program: “I’m happy to be here, it’s such an honor. This is great support for the troops and that’s why I’m here to give my time, supporting you guys supporting us.” Her words reflect the mutual support that defines military communities–service members who sacrifice for their country, and communities that honor that sacrifice through concrete actions. The simplicity of the program–providing Christmas trees–belies its deeper significance. In these trees, military families see evidence that their service is recognized, valued, and supported, making the holidays brighter even during difficult separations.
