Trees for Troops spreads holiday cheer to servicemen and women here and abroad

The Rocks Christmas Tree Farm in Bethlehem is the distribution point for Vermont and New Hampshire donations. (Courtesy photo)

BETHLEHEM - Christmas trees from 25 growers across New Hampshire and Vermont were collected at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests Rocks Estate Christmas Tree Farm in Bethlehem as part of a nationwide effort called "Trees for Troops," which provides Christmas trees to U.S. military families at home and abroad.

Nigel Manley, Manager of the Rocks Christmas Tree Farm, and who has also been the chairman of the national Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, the organizer of the Trees for Troops program, coordinates the collection of the trees from the New Hampshire and Vermont region. Trees were donated by growers from both states and by regional businesses, schools and individuals.

Each year fifth grade students from the Bethlehem Elementary School help tag and load the trees for shipping.

More than 450 trees were loaded by the volunteers into a FedEx trailer for ultimate delivery to military bases in Georgia.

New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture Shawn Jasper greeted the children and volunteers assembled and thanked them for their good work. Then the students and volunteers from the Bank of NH, local program supporter, formed an assembly line to load the trees onto the truck while they sang Christmas carols.

The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, the charitable branch of the National Christmas Tree Association, and FedEx have partnered on this effort to boost the Christmas spirit for U.S. military men and women. This year marks the 16^th anniversary of the program where Christmas tree growers and retailers have donated real Christmas trees to be distributed at military bases nationwide and overseas. Since the program began over 260,000 trees have been donated. The trees reach those serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard.

For more information about "Trees for Troops", visit Christmas Spirit Foundation - Trees for Troops. For more information about where to find Christmas Trees for your own holiday celebration, visit New Hampshire Vermont Christmas Tree Association: Farm Fresh Christmas Trees and Wreaths (nh-vtchristmastree.org) or New Hampshire Christmas Trees (nhchristmastrees.com).