Photo By Staff Sgt. James Miller | Nikia Hunter, daughter of Bryan Hunter, tree recipient, embraces the Christmas tree...... read more read more
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ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. - Military families received nearly 200 Christmas trees during the eighth annual Trees for Troops event Dec. 4 at Outdoor Recreation.
Trees for Troops is a worldwide program that delivers free Christmas trees to more than 65 military bases as a way to thank service members and their families.
“It started with a bunch of tree farmers that wanted to give back to the armed forces,” said Carrie Brewer, 28th Force Support Squadron marketing director. “We get to help facilitate it with volunteers unloading the truck and helping load the trees into vehicles.”
The Christmas trees were first available to spouses of deployed Airmen, and then opened to all Ellsworth personnel, South Dakota National Guardsmen and Douglas High School JROTC cadets.
The trees delivered to Ellsworth this year were donated by tree farmers from the Wisconsin area and were unloaded by 15 volunteers from various squadrons.
“It is a great benefit for all of us,” said Airman 1st Class Jennifer Owen, 28th Contracting Squadron contract administrator and volunteer. “It is really nice to see people supporting the Air Force and military as a whole.”
Some of the donated Christmas trees were accompanied by a tag with heartfelt messages written by the farmers, showing their appreciation for service members receiving the trees.
Even though it was Ellsworth’s eighth year, for others it was their first time experiencing Trees for Troops.
“It was my first year being in charge and it was a great event to walk into,” said Jacquanna Whitfield, 28th FSS Outdoor Recreation manager. “I’m honored to be a part of it. Seeing all the support from across the U.S. is just amazing.”
More than 1,500 trees have been donated to Ellsworth since it’s involvement with Trees for Troops, giving service members and their families a chance to have a happy holiday.
For more information or to check tree availability, call Outdoor Recreation at (605) 385-2700.
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2015 13:36 |
| Story ID: | 183841 |
| Location: | ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, SOUTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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