Thank you to all who participated in the 2012 Trees for Troops program. Through the generosity of the Real Christmas Tree industry, your customers and FedEx, Trees for Troops provided 18,694 free, real Christmas Trees to military families and troops in 2012.
View the list of 2012 tree donors.
Please don’t forget to turn in your $5 per tree sold by Jan. 15, 2013.
As we close out the 2012 program, below are a few helpful forms, and others can be accessed by clicking the 2012 Tool Kit icon.
Plan Ahead for 2013
Please support Trees for Troops again! Here is how Christmas Tree growers and retailers can support Trees for Troops in 2013.
1. Donate Trees through your State/Regional Christmas Tree Association
More than 20 state and regional Christmas Tree associations have coordinators to facilitate the collection and donation of trees for Trees for Troops. The state/regional coordinator sets goals for the number of trees, secures commitments from growers and retailers in their state, and works with the Trees for Troops staff to coordinate the logistics for FedEx pick up. Contact your Christmas Tree association to find out if your state/region participates in Trees for Troops, and how you can sign up.
You may donate as many trees as you are able. If you are selling trees to customers who are then donating the trees, we encourage you to contribute (either yourself or customers) $5 per tree to help defray some costs of the program. The $5 per tree cost is paid directly to the Trees for Troops program.
2. Host a Trailer Drop during Trees for Troops Weekend
Beginning in the early fall, we will begin accepting applications for trailer drop locations for Trees for Troops Weekend 2013 (first weekend in December). If you decide to be a trailer drop location, for a minimal cost, FedEx will provide a 28' trailer at your location. During Trees for Troops Weekend, you will host an event for customers and the community to help you support Trees for Troops. When families visit your retail location to purchase their tree, you can offer the chance to buy another tree to donate to Trees for Troops. Customers write a message on the tree tag and attach it to the tree, which is then baled and loaded onto the trailer. You contribute $5 per tree to help defray some costs of the program.
FedEx retrieves the trailers after Trees for Troops Weekend and delivers the trees to their final destinations. A trailer can hold 150-300 baled trees, depending on their size.
3. Collect and Encourage Donations
You don't have to sell or load a single tree to participate. Here are some additional options to support Trees for Troops.
- Put out a collection jar or donation bucket and ask your customers to contribute.
- Post free Trees for Troops posters in your location to help promote the program.
- Purchase Trees for Troops bears to sell in a gift shop, make up in wreaths, raffle, etc. For more information, contact Harry and Juanita Peckham at 785/878-3793.
- Remind your customers to donate online.
- Download and print donation forms for your customers' use.
4. Get Your Customers Involved with a T4T Pin-Up
A pin-up, which is sometimes called a paper plaque, paper icon, scannable, or mobile, is sold in retail locations and any other place that has customers and a cash register. Most pinups are sold for between $1 and $5. When the customer buys one, the donation is added to their bill. They usually sign their name to the pinup, which is then displayed somewhere in the business as a sign of customer support for the cause. It's easy, and consumers tend to give frequently when someone just asks “Would you like to donate a dollar to Trees for Troops?”
5. Help Recruit Local Sponsors
Trees for Troops needs sponsors at any price point, large or small, and local sponsorships provide the businesses and civic groups in your community with a method to help ensure trees are available for troops and military families. You can help by asking your local business contacts to become Trees for Troops sponsors. Donations/sponsorships of any amount are appreciated. Those who give $25 or more receive a tax receipt from CSF. You can download a "Thank You" certificate to give to those who give less than $25.