Trees for Troops spreads holiday cheer for Hill Airmen

  • Published
  • By 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Military families at Hill received some holiday cheer this week through an annual Christmas tree giveaway program.

Trees for Troops, a program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, provided live Christmas trees to 150 service members and their families.

“The First Sergeant Council considers Team Hill extremely blessed to have such a great team running the Airmen and Family Readiness Center,” said Master Sgt. Brian Carpenter, 75th Medical Group First Sergeant and Trees for Troops volunteer. “Their proactive efforts enabled this great event that supported so many of our families.”

The trees and toys were delivered to families at the Airman and Family Readiness Center Dec. 4.

“We’re really excited,” said Elisha Gudmundson, a tree recipient whose husband is currently deployed, “My kids are so glad that they can get a real tree.”

Among the volunteers handing out gifts were 75th Air Base Wing’s leadership, Col. Jenise Carroll, 75th ABW commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Raymond Riley, 75th ABW command chief.

“It brings me great joy to be able to give back to the Airmen, civilians, and families who are working so hard to maintain Hill’s high level of readiness and resiliency.” said Carroll. “Chief Riley and I are grateful for the opportunity to show them our appreciation.”

Thorough the foundation, trees are donated by farms and local sponsors. Fresh cut Christmas trees are gathered at farms and retail lots before being picked up by Trees for Troops partner, FedEx Freight, and routed through distribution centers for delivery to bases.

Once trees arrive at a base and are unloaded, each base determines how and when to distribute the trees to their personnel. To learn more, visit www.christmasspiritfoundation.org.