For the fourth consecutive year, FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation are teaming up for Trees for Troops. In the coming weeks, Christmas tree growers, retailers and FedEx Corp. will be donating and delivering approximately 16,000 real Christmas trees to more than 45 military bases in the United States and overseas.
“Trees for Troops delivers much-needed cheer to those families whose loved ones are serving our country and will not be home for the holidays,” said Douglas G. Duncan, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Freight. “This program gives us a chance to say thanks to the men, women and families who give so much to protect our freedom.”
National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) members will donate the trees, while FedEx Corp. is donating transportation and logistical services to the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, the NCTA’s philanthropic branch.
The 2008 Trees for Troops program will kick off Nov. 12 in Columbus, Ohio, with the pickup of 300 trees to be delivered to activated service members stationed in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. A second international shipment of approximately 100 trees will depart from the FedEx Express hub in Indianapolis on Nov. 20 for service members stationed in Bahrain and the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
The popular Trees for Troops program has grown rapidly since its inception in 2005, when 4,300 trees were delivered to troops and military families at five bases in the U.S. and overseas. Last year, more than 750 tree growers in 29 states donated 17,000 trees that were delivered by FedEx to 40-plus military bases. In total, more than
34,000 real Christmas trees have been distributed to families in every branch of the military at 40-plus bases in 17 countries. In the U.S., FedEx Freight trucks have traveled an estimated 90,000 over-the-road miles to pick up and deliver the trees during the past three years.
Based on the success of a similar program last year, the public will also have the opportunity to participate in Trees for Troops by purchasing trees and attaching a personal message at approximately 40 retail locations nationally. FedEx Freight will deliver these trees to deserving military families throughout the country. For a list of participating Trees for Troops retail locations, please visit www.treesfortroops.org.
FedEx Express will also be providing transportation services.
FedEx Office will host greeting card signings in honor of Veterans Day at more than 30 FedEx Office Print and Ship Centers nationwide during the week of Nov. 11, 2008. Customers may write personal messages to the troops and their families inside holiday cards printed by FedEx Office that will be delivered with the Christmas trees. For more information about participating FedEx Office 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 $39 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 290,000 employees and contractors 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.