FRAZEYSBURG, Ohio — Operation Evergreen, a program that sends Ohio Christmas trees overseas to military personnel, is in its 24th year. The program was set up to provide Christmas trees to those serving away from home during the holiday season by the Ohio Christmas Tree Association.
Starting in 1995, 29 trees were sent to troops serving in Bosnia. In the years that followed, trees were sent to Kosovo, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. The number of trees sent has varied from the 29 up to 320 trees. Estimates are that the program has provided more than 5000 trees to units serving overseas.
Since 1999, hand made ornaments, decorations and Christmas cards made by students, civic groups and other private citizens have been included with the trees.
A 100 tree donation for the 2019 Christmas Season has been accepted by ARCENT, scheduled for shipment into Kuwait in November. A minimum of 2,000 to 5,000 of our troops get to enjoy these touches of ‘home’ each year within their units, on bases and at the R & R areas.
All trees, ornaments, transportation to the collection sites in the state and boxes are donated. Shipping costs have been funded several different ways — shipping overseas within the military distribution system, by commercial carrier from 2005 through 2011 and grassroots/public donations 2012 through 2018.
Our organization needs help this year to cover the shipping expenses. Each tree costs $150 to ship overseas.
Please help us send this Christmas gift to those serving overseas. Make Checks Payable to: OCTA-Operation Evergreen. Send to: Ohio Christmas Tree Association, 6870 Licking Valley Rd, Frazeysburg OH 43822 or check out our Go Fund Me page at: www.ohiochritmastree.org.
Donations are being accepted for 2019, and additional funds will be applied toward the next year’s shipping expenses. Ornament donations need to be in hand by Nov. 1 each year.
Feel free to contact me if you are interested, have questions or need more information: Amy Galehouse, Operation Evergreen Coordinator, 330-607-4487 cell, 330-658-2480 wk and/or email: galehousetreefarms@bright.net or Valerie Graham at 740-828-3331, val@ohiochristmastree.com.
— Ohio Christmas Tree Association
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