JORDAN -- Christmas will come a little early for some soldiers and their families this year, thanks to the "Trees for Troops" program.
For volunteers like Todd Richardson, the Trees for Troops program is a way to give back some holiday cheer for soldiers and their families.
"They sacrifice so much for us. The little bit of time and effort that I come out and put in is not even close to what the do for us," he says.
The Three B Tree Nursery in Jordan is one of the local Christmas tree farms taking part in the program. The trees are purchased by donors and shipped for free by FedEx to troops and their families across the country and overseas.
Owner Robert Brown says support for the Trees for Troops program has been overwhelming from both the public and other New York State Christmas Tree Farmers, who have donated more than a thousand trees this year to the program.
"The troops they are putting putting their lives on the line. It's the least we can do for them and their families. I hope it helps make a Merry Christmas for some of them," he says.
Since 2005, the Trees for Troops program has donated more than 65,000 trees to troops and their families in the United States and overseas. About 150 trees were collected from Brown's Three B Tree Nursery. Todd Richardson says he hopes in some small way the trees show the troops that they are appreciated.
"Even if it puts one smile on a soldier's face as they walk by a Christmas tree over there, it is more than worth it," he says.
For more information on the Trees for Troops program, click here.
