As the FedEx truck pulled into Farmside Acres, Leigh Rivas turned to her father with a question. “What’s the strategy?” she asked.
A group of volunteers, including some from the 105th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard, were planning to load the truck with Christmas trees. It’s become an annual event at the tree farm on Angola Road.
People donate live trees that FedEx transports to military families — especially those with a member serving overseas. The farm on Angola Road has become a dropoff point for donations.
It started in 2009 when Bob Nannini attended a summer seminar and said “yes” to a representative of Trees for Troops. Since his property was in a central location, he said he would be glad to accept donations from people in Ulster, Orange and Rockland Counties.
The only problem was a lack of time. The pickups are made in early December, and most places don’t start to sell live trees until Thanksgiving.
This year was especially tough. Thanksgiving was as late as it could be (Nov. 28), and the FedEx truck arrived at exactly 10 a.m. on Dec. 3.
Despite the lack of time, there were more trees than ever. Leigh Nannini Rivas said there were over 200, which is why she was asking her father about strategy.
Last year the trees barely fit in the truck. After the last one was loaded, the volunteers had to push the trees back, so the rear of the truck would close. It was like trying to shut an overstuffed suitcase.
The packing technique may have been part of the problem. The trees in the back of the truck were all standing up straight.
This year Bob Nannini recommended a change in strategy. The volunteers laid the trees in rows, and alternated the direction of each row — so the top of one tree was next to the foot of another.
The plan worked. The doors shut, and there was even a little space left over. The truck left with a full load. Its destination was Fort Hood, Texas.
