MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) is once again spreading holiday cheer to America’s service members and their families this season with a special delivery of more than 17,000 live Christmas trees.
Now in its ninth year, Trees for Troops brings together FedEx, the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and tree farmers across America to transport thousands of real Christmas trees to service members stationed overseas, as well as on military bases in the U.S. The trees will be delivered in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the busiest holiday season in FedEx history.
"FedEx team members often feel like we’re playing ‘Santa’ during the holiday season for so many of our customers, but the delivery of these Christmas trees to our men and women in uniform is one of our most treasured holiday traditions,” said Bill Logue, president and CEO, FedEx Freight. “The holidays are a tremendously busy time for FedEx, but we’re honored to be invited to mobilize our logistics network in support of the dedication of America’s servicemen and women.”
Tracking O’Tannenbaum for Troops Overseas and at Home
The Trees for Troops initiative kicks off today in Thorntown, Indiana, as FedEx volunteers help prepare over 250 live Christmas trees to be shipped to service members stationed overseas. The Christmas trees, donated by members of the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association, will be delivered to service members stationed in the Middle East via the FedEx Express hub in Indianapolis.
Once the international deliveries have taken flight, FedEx Freight will hit the road with more than 17,000 fresh-cut Christmas trees to be delivered to U.S. military bases beginning Dec. 3, with final deliveries scheduled for Dec. 13. Many of these deliveries will also include special holiday festivities in which military families will pick-up their anticipated Christmas tree.
Joining the Effort through Trees for Troops Weekend
As part of the program, National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) members around the country donate thousands of fresh trees to Trees for Troops through the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, the NCTA's philanthropic branch. As in previous years, the public may also support Trees for Troops by donating to the program and/or purchasing fresh trees at one of more than 30 Christmas tree retail locations nationally during the official Trees for Troops weekend, Dec. 6-8. Donated trees will be added to the program’s planned deliveries to U.S. bases during 2013. More information on how to get involved can be found at http://www.treesfortroops.org/.
Trees for Troops is part of FedEx Special Delivery, a nationwide program that supports local organizations by donating transportation services and other assistance to help them fulfill their missions. Since the Trees for Troops program launched in 2005, FedEx has shipped more than 122,000 real Christmas trees to service members and their families—covering every branch of the military at more than 60 bases in 17 countries.
About FedEx
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $45 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.
About the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation
The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization that works to recognize and support the true spirit of Christmas for U.S. troops through the Trees for Troops® program. The foundation was established in 2005 as the charitable branch of the National Christmas Tree Association and is among fewer than five percent of U.S. charities to be awarded the “Best in America” seal of excellence by Independent Charities of America. Trees for Troops was a Top 20 Finalist in the 2012 Joining Forces Campaign, a White House initiative that honors exemplary support organizations for military families. To learn more, visit www.treesfortroops.org or call 636/449-5060.
About the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA)
The National Christmas Tree Association is the national trade association representing the farm-grown Christmas tree industry. NCTA represents more than 700 active member farms, 29 state and regional associations, and 4,000 affiliated businesses that grow and sell Christmas trees or provide related supplies and services. It is estimated that those affiliated with the NCTA produce roughly three-quarters of the farm-raised Christmas trees in the United States. To learn more, visit www.realchristmastrees.org or call 636-449-5070.
