DECEMBER 20, 2024 — Soldiers and their families gathered to participate in the annual Trees for Troops giveaway Dec. 13 at Phantom Warrior Stadium.
More than 600 farm-grown Christmas trees were distributed, offering a festive touch to the holiday season and a sense of home for Soldiers stationed far from loved ones.
The event, organized by the Christmas Spirit Foundation with support from FedEx, brought together Soldiers, volunteers and community members in a show of unity and holiday spirit.
The trees were distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to junior-enlisted Soldiers and their families followed by anyone with a Department of Defense ID, reinforcing the sense of care and connection within the military community.
For Tira Davis, a veteran and Fort Cavazos community member, the event has become a cherished part of the holiday season. Attending with her young daughter, Zia, 1, Tira shared how much the experience means to her family.
“A lot of these Soldiers, they’re not from here, and their families aren’t here,” she said. “So this little taste of home, it means a lot. It was very exciting. I liked that I got to take my daughter Zia; this is her second Christmas. Her first Christmas, she was a really small baby. Now she can see and interact. It was very fun. It’s something I might want to do every year, maybe make it into a tradition for her as she gets older.”
The success of the event was made possible by dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly to set the stage for a joyous day. Members of the Fort Cavazos Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program joined representatives from the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation to unload trees, set up decorations and provide a welcoming atmosphere with music, treats and hot beverages.
“We’re really happy to be here,” said Cpl. Amber Solis, the Fort Cavazos BOSS program secretary. “We’ve had this planned for about a month now, and I was counting down the days to get out here and do it. We’ve been out here pretty early, but we do it for everyone — for the smiles on the parents’ and the children’s faces.
“It’s all about the community and coming together and being there for each other,” Solis added. “That gives a sense of home.”
Trees for Troops, which has delivered more than 300,000 trees to service members since its inception, continues to rely on donations, sponsorships and the hard work of volunteers. The trees delivered to Fort Cavazos were transported free of charge by FedEx.
Families picking up trees were encouraged to practice fire safety and use proper techniques for safely transporting their tree.
Visit treesfortroops.org for more information about Trees for Troops.
By Eric Franklin, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs