Operation Evergreen: Delivering trees to troops

For over 20 years, Christmas tree growers around Ohio have been shipping trees to troops. It's an iconic symbol of the season. At Homestead Farm in Granville, growing trees is a family affair.

“People come and bring the whole family, their dogs and everything,” tree grower Jerry White said.

The work that he and his family do at Homestead Tree Farms has become a labor of love. They also cut them down for a cause.

It's all part of Operation Evergreen, a program that ships trees to troops overseas.

“There probably is nothing like that over there and they're away from home at Christmas. It makes a big difference,” White said.

He remembers his daughter putting a letter in one of their donated trees. "She got emails and letters back from those soldiers. I think it went to Kuwait somewhere and they sent back a picture of the tree all decorated. It was really good experience.” White said.

Children from all around Ohio donate handmade ornaments to ship with them. Tuesday they were all packaged with care.

“We will have 100 to go out this year,” Amy Galehouse said.

Galehouse coordinates the tree donations from growers across the state for Operation Evergreen. The reaction from soldiers keeps her drive going. "We've had some comeback and say we were on a base when we received that. You can't believe how they react to the Christmas tree. It's very important to them overseas,” Galehouse said.

For White, it's simply giving back to those who give us so much. "I hope they enjoy it as much as I enjoyed raising it,” White said.

The cost to ship one tree to Kuwait costs between $100-$160. You can help cover these costs, by donating here. Operation Evergreen also accepts homemade ornaments year-round. You can drop those off at your nearest tree farm.