This year, Trees for Troops® provided 18,994 free, farm-grown Christmas Trees to military families and troops, bringing our total since the inception of the program to more than 122,000 trees. This year's trees were delivered by FedEx to 65 military bases in the U.S. and Middle East, covering every branch of the armed services. Read our news release to learn more.

We have received hundreds of thank you messages and photos from those who received trees, and we feel blessed to have been part of creating a memorable Christmas for so many troops and military families. To send us a message, please email mystory@treesfortroops.org. Check out some of the photos and messages on this website and our Facebook page.

This year's program kicked off in a big way Nov. 20 at Dull's Tree Farm in Thorntown, Ind. More than 50 volunteers helped organize, box and load 300 trees to be shipped overseas. Trees were donated by members of the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association, and shipping was donated by FedEx. The lucky recipients were two U.S. bases in Kuwait (Camp LSA and Camp Virginia) and troops stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. View photos on Facebook.

Then, members of the National Christmas Tree Association and many state and regional Christmas Tree associations began donating trees by the thousands. This is quite a logistical undertaking and a sacrifice during the busiest possible time for Christmas Tree growers and retailers, and no doubt the busiest time for FedEx and its employees. They do it to say "thank you for your service and sacrifice" to troops and their families. View the list of 2012 tree donors.

Consumers supported Trees for Troops by donating funds or by visiting the 32 farms and retail locations across the country that hosted FedEx trailers during Trees for Troops Weekend, Nov. 30-Dec. 2. During Trees for Troops Weekend, consumers purchased and donated trees to be placed in the trailers and delivered to U.S. military bases.

Deliveries to military bases all over the country started in late November and ended in mid-December with a grand total of 18,994 trees, provided through the generosity of the Real Christmas Tree industry, consumers and FedEx.

Your Help is Needed Year-Round

Trees for Troops counts on donations from the public to make this program succeed, and our fundraising drive for Trees for Troops 2013 has already begun. You can support Trees for Troops through your tax-deductible donation or by becoming a sponsor. The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Your tax-deductible charitable contribution will help those in service to their country and their families receive a Real Christmas Tree and keep the spirit of a traditional Christmas celebration alive.

About Trees for Troops

Imagine a smiling group of U.S. troops gathered around a Christmas Tree that was grown on an American farm and express shipped to arrive fresh and green somewhere on the other side of the world, just in time for Christmas. Or, imagine the families of deployed troops sharing joyous memories of Christmas through the gift of free, real Christmas Trees. Trees for Troops® makes this vision a reality!

Trees for Troops, a program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, provides farm-grown Christmas Trees to armed forces members and their families in the U.S. and stationed overseas. Through cash contributions, donated Christmas Trees, the work of many volunteers, and the generous support of our shipping sponsor FedEx, Trees for Troops has brought the true spirit of Christmas to thousands of deserving service men and women and their families. Since 2005, Trees for Troops has provided more than 122,000 Christmas Trees to military families and troops in the United States and overseas. Each year, thousands of Christmas Tees are donated by American farm families and the public, and FedEx delivers these trees to more than 60 military bases.

Thank you for your support, and Merry Christmas!