MEMPHIS, Tenn. - (Business Wire) For the fifth consecutive year, FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation are teaming up for Trees for Troops, a program created to deliver support and cheer to members of the military and their families during the holiday season. Throughout this holiday season, Trees for Troops will deliver approximately 16,000 real Christmas trees to more than 50 military facilities in the United States and overseas. “FedEx and its team members are pleased to support Trees for Troops, delivering holiday cheer to military men, women and families,” said Douglas G. Duncan, president and CEO, FedEx Freight. “Now in its fifth year, this program provides us the opportunity to say thanks to those who serve our country in the Armed Forces.”
This year’s Trees for Troops campaign will kick off Nov. 10 in Columbus, Ohio, with the pickup of approximately 200 trees to be delivered to service members stationed in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan via the FedEx Express hub in Indianapolis.
A second international shipment of nearly 100 trees will also depart from Indianapolis on Nov. 24 for service members stationed in Bahrain, aboard vessels of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, and other locations.
“The FedEx team considers it a privilege to help coordinate Trees for Troops,” said Stan Bradford, freight flow analyst for FedEx Freight who assists with planning the tree pickup and distribution logistics for the program. “As an Army veteran, I am glad that FedEx is taking this step to support these very deserving men, women and families.”
Since 2005, the first year for the Trees for Troops program, the effort has quadrupled in size and donations. Some program milestones include:
- In the program’s first year, 4,300 trees were delivered to troops and military families at five bases in the U.S. and overseas
- More than 50,000 real Christmas trees have been distributed to families in every branch of the military at 40-plus bases in 17 countries.
- More than 750 tree growers in 29 states have donated trees
- FedEx Freight trucks have traveled an estimated 150,000 over-the-road miles to pick up and deliver the trees
Throughout November, National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) members around the country will donate trees, and FedEx will provide transportation and logistical services to the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, the NCTA's philanthropic branch. Both FedEx Express air operations and FedEx Freight’s trucking networks will play a role in the Trees for Troops program, delivering donated trees to military bases throughout the U.S.
The public will also have the opportunity to participate in Trees for Troops by purchasing trees and attaching a personal message at 40 retail locations nationally. These trees will be included in the Trees for Troops delivery schedule, which begins Nov. 30 and concludes Dec. 11. For a list of participating Trees for Troops retail locations, please visit www.treesfortroops.org.
Trees for Troops is a part of FedEx Special Delivery, a nationwide program that supports local organizations by donating transportation services and manpower to help them fulfill their missions. For more information about FedEx Special Delivery and FedEx during the peak holiday season, please visit http://news.fedex.com.
About FedEx
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $34 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 275,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit http://news.fedex.com.
About Christmas SPIRIT Foundation
The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, based in Chesterfield, Mo., is 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that advances the Christmas Spirit for kids, families and the environment. Trees for Troops is just one of its projects. For more details or to donate, visit www.ChristmasSpiritFoundation.org.
About the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA)
NCTA is the professional organization representing nearly 5,000 farms and retailers engaged in growing and selling Real Christmas Trees to nearly 30 million consumers. Based in Chesterfield, Mo., NCTA's mission is to promote the use of Real Christmas Trees and support the industry that provides them. For more information, go to www.realchristmastrees.org.
FedEx Freight
Editor Contact:
Debra Phillips, 901-434-3122
debra.phillips@fedex.com
