2011 Trees for Troops Updates & Materials
Trees for Troops is a program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation. Since the program's inception in 2005, Christmas Tree growers from across the United States have generously supported military families by providing 84,000 fresh cut Christmas Trees.
For the past several years, FedEx has helped to deliver, on average, 17,000 Real Christmas Trees to 60+ military bases throughout the U.S. and overseas. This year, our goal is to reach 100,000 trees delivered since 2005. To do this, we need your help. You can participate in a number of ways:
Donate Trees Through Your State/Regional Association
Host a Trailer Drop
New - Offer Sponsorships
Collect, Sell and Encourage Donations
Donate Trees Through Your State/Regional Association
Several state/regional associations have coordinators who work with growers to facilitate the collection and donation of trees. That coordinator works with all the state/regional members to collect their trees. If you are donating the trees yourself, no fee is charged to participate. If you are selling trees to be donated, wholesale or retail, you must contribute, either yourself or customers, $5 per tree to CSF and send that amount to CSF to help defray costs of the program.
The state/regional coordinator sets goals for the number of trees, secures commitments from growers and retailers, and works with CSF staff to coordinate the logistics on when and where FedEx will come to pick up those trees.
Host a Trailer Drop
A “Trailer Drop” is an opportunity for those who want to offer their customers the chance to buy an additional tree and send it to the troops. FedEx drops off a 28’ trailer at your farm/lot the first weekend in December. Most Trailer Drop participants sell the extra tree, have the customer write a message on the tree tag and attach it to the tree, bale it, then load it onto the truck. FedEx then comes by to pick up the trailer after the weekend. A trailer can hold anywhere from 150-300 baled trees, depending on their size.
This opportunity is limited to those who guarantee that they will load at least 100 trees. There are some fees involved, including a $5 per tree fee to CSF to cover costs. Most people build this cost into the price of the tree.
New - Offer Sponsorships
Ask your customers and local businesses if they would like to sponsor a tree to help get more trees to the troops. Every $5 helps to get another tree delivered. A $100 can make the holidays brighter for 20 families. The $5 donations doesn’t buy a tree, it just helps to get a tree to a family. 100% of funds go to CSF. Donors who give $25 or more will receive a tax receipt from CSF. You can download a “Thank You” certificate to give to those who give less than $25 from the CSF website.
Collect, Sell and Encourage Donations
You don't have to sell or load a single tree to participate!
- Collection Bucket: Set our your own collection jar or purchase a donation bucket. Free posters are available as well to promote the program.
- Text Donations: Let your customers know they can easily donate $10 to Trees for Troops by texting "TREE" to 50555. The donation will be added to their cell phone bill.
- Pewter Ornaments: Purchase the annual Trees for Troops ornaments at wholesale prices for resale.
- Trees for Troops Bears: Purchase bears to sell to consumers, make up in wreaths, raffle off, etc. For more information, contact Harry and Juanita Peckham at 785/878-3793.
- GivingBands: Make a great gift!
The following tools and resources are provided by NCTA to help participating members promote the program and their involvement to consumers and the media.
If you have questions, please contact CSF at 636/449-5060 or e-mail Amy Mills.
Support Material for the Trees for Troops Program
Frequently Asked Questions/Facts:
Media:
Promotional Materials:
Logos & Graphics:
Special Event Planning:
Other:
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