thedrifter
12-12-08, 06:06 AM
Christmas Spirit Foundation provides trees for military families
Written by Sgt. Vitaliy Rusavskiy
The Christmas Spirit Foundation provided more than 1,000 Christmas trees to Camp Pendleton Marines, sailors and their families, Friday.
The tree giveaway was held in the San Onofre Community Center and on the 16 Area Parade Deck.
“Our foundation’s goal is to advance the spirit of Christmas for kids, families and the environment,” said Steve Drake, director, CSF. “The ‘Trees for Troops’ program fulfills our mission,” he added. Christmas tree growers formed a nationwide program to provide farm-grown Christmas trees to military families throughout the United States in 2003.
In October 2005, Federal Express approached the CSF about providing shipping for the tree provided for the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, D.C.
“We suggested they consider providing shipping for ‘Trees for Troops’ program. They approved that program on October 27, 2005 and we were able to provide 4,300 trees to five bases that year,” said Drake.
“The first year on Camp Pendleton we were very surprised to see this many people wanting a tree and successfully provided enough trees for more than 600 families,” said Drake. “Every year this event gets bigger and better.”
Col. James B. Seaton III, commanding officer, MCB Camp Pendleton, attended the event and spoke briefly, giving thanks to the CSF and all volunteers for the amazing job they did setting up the giveaway.
Events like these boost the morale of the troops and families, said Seaton.
More than 850 Christmas tree farmers and retailers from 27 states donated the Christmas trees for the ‘Trees for Troops’ program this year.
“We see lots of support in thank you notes and e-mails we receive not only from those who received a tree, but also from veterans who appreciate the commitment tree growers have made,” Drake added.
Ellie
Written by Sgt. Vitaliy Rusavskiy
The Christmas Spirit Foundation provided more than 1,000 Christmas trees to Camp Pendleton Marines, sailors and their families, Friday.
The tree giveaway was held in the San Onofre Community Center and on the 16 Area Parade Deck.
“Our foundation’s goal is to advance the spirit of Christmas for kids, families and the environment,” said Steve Drake, director, CSF. “The ‘Trees for Troops’ program fulfills our mission,” he added. Christmas tree growers formed a nationwide program to provide farm-grown Christmas trees to military families throughout the United States in 2003.
In October 2005, Federal Express approached the CSF about providing shipping for the tree provided for the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, D.C.
“We suggested they consider providing shipping for ‘Trees for Troops’ program. They approved that program on October 27, 2005 and we were able to provide 4,300 trees to five bases that year,” said Drake.
“The first year on Camp Pendleton we were very surprised to see this many people wanting a tree and successfully provided enough trees for more than 600 families,” said Drake. “Every year this event gets bigger and better.”
Col. James B. Seaton III, commanding officer, MCB Camp Pendleton, attended the event and spoke briefly, giving thanks to the CSF and all volunteers for the amazing job they did setting up the giveaway.
Events like these boost the morale of the troops and families, said Seaton.
More than 850 Christmas tree farmers and retailers from 27 states donated the Christmas trees for the ‘Trees for Troops’ program this year.
“We see lots of support in thank you notes and e-mails we receive not only from those who received a tree, but also from veterans who appreciate the commitment tree growers have made,” Drake added.
Ellie