Trees for Troops-Operation Evergreen
and Holiday greetings to service personnel overseas.

Since 1999, Pioneer Trails Tree Farm has participated in "Operation Evergreen", a service project developed by the Ohio Christmas Tree Association (OCTA). Originally started in 1995-96, the program has expanded to "Trees for Troops" including Christmas tree growers from throughout the United States.

Each year, Frank and Mary Jan Perdulla, along with growers throughout Ohio harvest trees which are shipped to Military personnel in overseas countries during the holiday season. This year an estimated 300 trees will be shipped, with the help of Fed-Ex Express, to Military units in the Middle East Theatre (Kuwait, Afghanistan, Qatar and Iraq). Growers from other states will harvest trees that will be shipped to Military bases throughout the United States, and distributed to military families there.

Frank and Mary Jan will harvest 10-12 trees on Veterans Day weekend for "Operation Evergreen". These trees along with trees provided by other Ohio growers will be boxed and shipped overseas. All the trees, boxes, ornaments, tree stands, packaging and assembly, transportation and shipping overseas are donated.

Several local Schools have volunteered to make ornaments and decorations that will be sent with the trees. These include: North Elementary School in Poland, The Leonard Kurtz School in Austintown and The Eagle Heights Academy in Youngstown. Many times the schools include letters and cards to the service personnel with the ornaments, garland and tree toppers. Pioneer Trails is appreciative of their assistance with this service project for this year and in previous years. Many of the schools have visited the tree farm and enjoyed a wagon ride during the holiday season.

If you would like to participate in this project locally contact: Mary Jan Perdulla @ 330-757-0884 or email mjperdulla@aol.com.

If you would like to make a donation to "Operation Evergreen" to help sponsor this project contact the OCTA office Phone/Fax 740-828-3331 or email val@ohiochristmastree.com. Donations can be mailed directly to the Ohio Christmas Tree Association- 6870 Licking Valley Road, Frazeysburg, Ohio 43822.

Donations need to be in hand the first week of November, right around Veterans Day- so the trees arrive between Thanksgiving and the first week in December!