Trees For Troops

Ellms' Christmas Tree Farm Donates 'Trees For Troops'

SARATOGA NY — Since 2005, Ellms' Christmas Tree Farm has been donating Real Christmas Trees as part of the nationwide Trees for Troops program, sponsored by the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and FedEx Corp.

This holiday season, Trees for Troops collected and delivered tens of thousands of Real Christmas Trees from 27 states to military families across the United States, as well as to soldiers serving overseas. New York growers alone donated over 200 trees this year!

Ellms' Christmas Tree Farm has been the FedEx pickup point for eastern New York State since the start of the program.

"Over the last 3 years I have been very involved in the Trees For Troops program," said Chip Ellms from Ellms' Christmas Trees in Ballston Spa NY. "We want our troops to be able to experience the holiday season with a Real Christmas Tree."

The Trees for Troops program was launched in 2005, and with the help of FedEx Corp., delivered more than 4,300 Christmas Trees to five U.S. military bases, as well as an overseas shipment to the Middle East that year. In 2006, the program expanded to deliver more than 11,000 trees to 25 bases. In 2007, that figure jumped even higher as Trees For Troops provided over 18,000 trees to 25 bases. Each year, the program continues to grow.

"Trees for Troops was a huge success," says Christmas SPIRIT Foundation chairman Nigel Manley, a Christmas Tree grower in Bethlehem, N.H. "It really resonated with our industry and the military."

The collection and delivery of trees takes place from the end of November through December each year. Consumers may make contributions to the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation at www.ChristmasSPIRITFoundation.org. More information is also available at www.TreesforTroops.org.

More Trees For Troops Photos From Ellms' Farm

Chip Ellms receiving a certificate plaque from Commissioner Patrick Hooker (left on stage) for Ellms' involvement in Trees for Troops.

Christy Multer of BH-BL School district presenting 3000 ornaments made at Pashley Elementary and Stevens Elementary schools, which will be used to decorate the trees.

National Guard unit out of Syracuse NY delivering trees from one of Ellms' satellite farm locations.