100 Ohio Christmas trees heading to U.S. troops in Middle East
Staff Report
A total of 100 Ohio-grown Christmas trees and homemade decorations will be shipped to military men and women serving overseas in Jordan, the state announced.
Ohio Christmas tree growers from all over the state donate the trees to Operation Evergreen, now in its 29th year.
“Operation Evergreen offers us an opportunity to express our appreciation to our military members who serve our country, and especially recognize our servicemen and women who won’t be with their families for the holidays,” Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge said via news release Nov. 12.
“Sending a piece of home overseas lets them know they are in our thoughts, not just during the holidays, but every day," he said.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio Christmas Tree Association are teaming up on the effort.
The annual event is held on the department's Reynoldsburg campus, where trees are inspected for pests, wrapped, and packaged with the help of local volunteers and students.
Decorations are handmade and donated by local schools, churches, and veterans’ groups, ensuring each military unit receiving a package will have what they need this holiday season.