REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — One hundred Christmas trees from Ohio and homemade decorations will be shipped by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Christmas Tree Association to military personnel serving overseas in Jordan.
ODA said Christmas tree growers from all over the state donate the trees to Operation Evergreen and the decorations are donated by local schools, churches and veterans' groups.
The annual event, now in its 29th year, is held on ODA's Reynoldsburg campus. ODA said trees are inspected for pests, wrapped and packaged by local volunteers and students.
“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,” ODA director Brian Baldridge said. “Sending a piece of home overseas lets them know they are in our thoughts, not just during the holidays, but every day.”
“This act of kindness is impactful to the morale of the brave men and women who are defending our freedoms abroad,” Maj. Gen. (U.S. Army, retired) Deborah Ashenhurst, director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services said. “I’m grateful for their service and that we can send a meaningful part of Christmas tradition, letting them know how much they are missed during the holiday season. Thank you, ODA and OCTA, for this wonderful gesture!”
“Sharing holiday cheer helps to lift the spirit of our service members who are deployed abroad during the holidays,” Major General John C. Harris, Jr., Ohio adjutant general said.
According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Christmas Tree Association has delivered Christmas trees since 1995 to troops stationed overseas.
