AS CHRISTMAS APPROACHED, Amber Keller-a Navy wife with five children, ages 8 to 16-wanted to feel the spirit of the holiday. But with her husband, Lt. Timon Keller, deployed, she was having a hard time tapping into that joy.
Having moved between several bases, she didn't have family or friends to celebrate with. How can I make things magical for the kids when their dad isn't here with us? Amber wondered.
The answer came in the form of a real, live Christmas tree, a gift from the Christmas Spirit Foundation's Trees for Troops program.
As she and her kids decorated the tree, the rich pine scent filling their home, Amber's heart overflowed with love and gratitude.
A joyful mission
In 2005, Pam Helmsing, then director of the National Christmas Tree Association, was talking with other members, marveling over stories they had heard of bighearted Christmas tree growers, who, each season, would give away trees to folks who were struggling.
"Why don't we do something like that? We're all about Christmas trees and cheer!" Pam offered. The members loved the idea, and the nonprofit Christmas Spirit Foundation (ChristmasSpirit Foundation.org), was born, with the group deciding to make a Christmas tree giveaway its focal project. As the members batted around possible recipients, one idea got unanimous support: Trees for Troops.
This story is from the December 16, 2024 edition of First for Women.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 16, 2024 edition of First for Women.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FIONA DAVIS' The Stolen Queen
Known for her glamorous historical fiction novels featuring iconic New York City landmarks like The New York Public Library and Radio City Music Hall, Fiona Davis has sold more than a million books and counting!
Deck the Halls on a Dime
Americans spend hundreds of dollars on holiday decorations each year. To the rescue: FIRST polled decorating pros on how to make your home merry and bright for less!
FAITH & LAUGHTER
GIVE ME STRENGTH AS A SANDWICH GENERATION’ CAREGIVER
CHRISTMAS TREES GIVE HOPE TO MILITARY FAMILIES
For many soldiers and their loved ones, the holidays can be difficult, both emotionally and financially. But thanks to the Trees for Troops program, hundreds of their homes and hearts are filled with Christmas cheer every year
MARTHA STEWART'S NEW Cookbook
Step into Martha Stewart's kitchen with a collection of timeless recipes sure to elevate your everyday meals and make holiday celebrations extra special
CONFIDENCE, TRADITIONS & ALL THE Good Things
FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, Martha Stewart has been a lifestyle icon.
POWER UP YOUR PROTEIN WITH CREATINE
There are some stories-like How the Grinch Stole Christmas-that we know by heart. Another tale that may be all too familiar to many of us: How we try to slim, only to regain more weight than we lost.
FOUND: HELP FOR HOLIDAY SLEEP LOSS
If you're tossing and turning a lot more this time of year, you're not alone: New research shows Americans lose nearly 40 minutes of sleep each night over the hectic holiday season. To the rescue: Experts share simple tips to transform sleepless nights into sweet, sugarplum dreams, including the strategy that works for 9 in 10 people
5 WAYS TO SICKPROOF YOUR HOLIDAYS
Stay healthy all season with these clever-and easy-strategies
Radiant in Red
3 steps to wearing the bold hue at any age
