GOBLES, Mich. — On a chilly Monday morning, volunteers including some veterans helped load up three box trucks full of Christmas trees.
These West Michigan-grown trees are on their way to three US military bases in Texas, Missouri and Illinois for troops and their families to have free-of-charge.
It's all part of the Trees for Troops program.
For years, The Wahmhoff Farms Nursery in Gobles has helped bring the holiday spirit to military families.
This year, volunteers loaded up more than 360 trees.
"It's like one of our favorite things all year long because our livelihood has grown trees and we love Christmas. We love celebrating on Christmas and for the military. We are so grateful for everything they do."
"Because we're grateful for our military and what they do for us in this way families can celebrate around the real Christmas tree and not have to come up with the money for it. It's a gift to them."
Pete Matthews, a US Coast Guard veteran who served in the North Atlantic, helped load trees onto the truck.
"Having served, and been away from home over Christmas, we didn't always have the opportunity to have a Christmas tree. This makes it possible for people who don't get home to have a Christmas tree," Matthews said.
Organizers said kindergarteners from Gobles Elementary handmade ornaments to go along with the trees
You can learn more about the program here.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.