BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. – Seven New York Army National Guard Soldiers joined local veterans to load up 125 Christmas trees donated to military bases around the country at Ellms Tree Farm in Ballston Spa Dec. 2.
This was the 20th year tree farmers in the Albany/Saratoga area have been part of the “Trees for Troops” program. The donated trees are destined for service members and their families around the country.
The Soldiers stopped at the farm on their way to work at the nearby recruiting office in Saratoga Springs and the 42nd Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade Headquarters in Latham.
“It’s always great to spend time with people of the community for a great cause,” said Master Sgt. Darrick Zwack, section chief for the recruiting office. “I take away (from the event) the care and support the community has for the troops.”
Trees for Troops estimates 15,300 trees will be distributed to 93 U.S. military bases in 2024. In New York, trees will be delivered to military families at Fort Hamilton, West Point, Fort Drum and Hancock Field Air National Guard Base.
“We’ll send trees out of here to our men and women around the world,” said Garth Ellms, the third-generation owner of the farm. “We’ve actually seen trees go to Afghanistan. It’s really wild to see a green tree in the desert, and it’s a great feeling for us.”
“I was in Iraq for Christmas in 2004,” Zwack said. “It was great to just have that feeling of support and what to look forward to when I returned stateside. It gives that little feeling of home and support that goes a long way.”
Since 2005, Trees for Troops has provided 309,644 Christmas Trees to military families and troops in the United States and overseas.
“I have been overseas over the holidays,” said first-time volunteer Sgt. Kayla Kilventon, assigned to the aviation brigade in Latham. “I missed not having a Christmas with my family, but when you are away for the holidays, the base, MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation services) and people back home try and make the holidays special, even if you can’t be home.”
Fresh-cut Christmas trees are gathered at farm and retail lots before being picked up by FedEx and routed through distribution centers for delivery to bases.
Military volunteers turn out each year to load and unload trees for distribution to service members and their families.
“It is a great event that really brings everyone together for a fantastic cause,” Zwack said.