Program provides free Christmas trees

TIFTON — Soldiers stationed at Fort Stewart and the families of soldiers overseas will receive free Christmas trees this holiday courtesy of the “Trees for Troops” program though the collaboration of the National Christmas Tree Association and FedEx, who have formed the foundation “Christmas Spirit.”

Mike Brumby and J.H. White of Brumby and White Christmas Trees have agreed to serve as the South Georgia collection point for the program again this year.

“It went over really well last year. We had great participation and we just missed the goal of having 100 trees donated,” said White. “We could do more if there is enough participation.”

According to Brumby this will be the third year that the Christmas tree farm has participated in the program. The tree farm will open this Sunday and is calling for help from the community to fulfil the 100-tree goal. Indiviuals who wish to participate can purchase a tree to go to the program for $25.

Brumby also encourages those who feel they cannot make a full donation to feel free to donate whatever they can.

“Some people say that they can’t afford $25 so they give us $5 instead. We send a monetary donation to the Spirit Foundation each year so that money helps too.” Brumby said.

Each person who donates money is asked to sign a large banner and each tree donated will be sent with a handwritten message and signature so that the family who receives the tree will know who provided it for them.

The trees will go to lower-ranking soldiers at Fort Stewart who may not have been able to afford a tree this year without the donation.

Brumby and White said that last year Sherriff Gary Vowell donated $250 for the program or 10 Christmas trees. Many families who came out last year also bought a tree to donate and some people came out just to make a donation.

“This is just a chance for people to do something nice for our military.” Brumby said.

Each tree donated is between 6 and 7 feet and is worth about $40. As one of the sponsors of the program, FedEx will pick up the trees this year at about 10 a.m. Dec. 2.

“We’d be glad to have anyone who would like to come and help us load the trees.” White said. “They have to be cut, baled, stacked and waiting on the truck when it gets there.”

The Brumby and White Christmas Tree Farm is located off of U.S. Highway 125 on Chula-Brookfield Road. It is open from noon to dark Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. to dark Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to dark Sundays.

For more information about the program, call the tree farm at 382-3072 or Brumby at home at 382-7515.

To contact reporter Chivaun Perez, call 382-4321.

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