Local farmers send trees to U.S. Troops
By LAURA THORNBURG
Staff
For the last several years, Alleghany tree growers, along with others in the state, have been participating in the Trees for Troops effort.
Other participating counties include Ashe, Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Jackson.
Greg Miller, who serves as the county coordinator for the endeavor, noted that more local wholesale growers have participated in the annual effort than Choose and Cut participants.
According to Miller, “Trees for Troops” is an effort started several years ago by the National Tree Association. It is now a part of the National Christmas Tree Association, which has evolved to include the Christmas Spirit Organization.
Miller stated, “Trees for Troops takes trees to families of military people that are overseas and provides trees to the military bases. In the past, they have sent them overseas to the bases; I know they went to Iraq.”
When asked why he wanted to get involved with the Trees for Troops effort, Miller replied, “It's a way to give back. It's a worthy cause; these boys are over there taking care of us, we need to take care of them.”
As county coordinator, Miller begins receiving trees for the annual effort around Thanksgiving and they are delivered to Cline Church Nursery in Ashe County (one of two pickup spots in the state, the other being Linville River Nursery) to be loaded on FedEx trucks during the first week in December. The shipping corporation's time and effort were donated, Miller pointed out.
During a recent interview, he said 1,200 trees were donated throughout the state, with destination sites being Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune.
Should an individual want to take part in the Trees for Troops effort next year, Miller stated retail lots can participate by allowing consumers the option of buying the tree for those in the service.
“FedEx actually brings their truck around to individual Christmas tree lots,” remarked Miller. “You purchase a tree on a certain date, the FedEx truck shows up, people at the lot load the tree and it goes (to its destination).”
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