Mahoney's Trees for Troops Program Starts Friday

It's something that has slowly grown in popularity. And it's a chance for to show their appreciation to the troops.

Mahoney's is known for its Christmas trees, but for the last six years, they have been encouraging their customers to donate a tree through its Trees for Troops program. A customer can purchases a tree and it will be shipped to a military family for the holidays.

The program begins Friday, Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, and ends Dec. 4.

To participate in the Trees for Troops program, visit any of Mahoney’s eight locations in eastern Massachusetts and purchase a Trees for Troops tree for $24.50. Special tree cards are available to write a note of thanks or holiday wishes to the family.

On Sunday, Dec. 4, the event ends. Mahoney’s will collect all of the trees and notes, and prepare them for their journey. The Trees for Troops program, in coordination with FedEx, handles the rest. In December, thousands of trees from all over the United States will be delivered to families on 52 military bases, worldwide.

“It’s a sense of knowing that someone else cares,” notes Lori DeVincentis Bruschi, Marketing Director for Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Fort Bragg Garrison in North Carolina.

“These men and women risk their lives for their country. The holidays are especially tough on the families, especially those left behind. This relieves some of the stress from the holidays,” adds Bruschi.

According to Bruschi, she recalls a previous year where the trees ran out with many families still in line. The next day, Trees for Troops brought another truckload of trees.

“One woman, with tears in her eyes, thanked us for getting more trees. She was the wife of a soldier who was deployed, but would make it home for the Holidays. The tree was a surprise for him," she said.

Last year, Mahoney’s trees were shipped up and down the east coast to Coast Guard Stations, a Navy Station and a National Guard Station. This year, Mahoney’s trees are planned for a similar route, including the Boston Coast Guard Station.

Since 2005, the Trees for Troops program, in coordination with FedEx, has delivered trees to over 84,000 families at over 60 bases world-wide. The special Trees for Troops trees were donated from over 40 retail locations and farms, like Mahoney’s, in 29 states.

Mahoney’s Garden Centers contributes an additional $5 for every tree sold to the Christmas SPIRIT foundation.

Trees come from Mahoney’s-own tree farm in Nova Scotia. They are carefully fertilized and sheared for best shape and density, then cut at the very last moment to ensure the longest lasting tree. For more information visit www.mahoneysgarden.com or call (781) 729-5900.