Tree-loading day has become a community event. Some kids get out of school on the morning when the trucks arrive at Farmside Acres. Members of the military serve as volunteers. The late Sen. Bill Larkin was a regular visitor. Even when he was close to 90, he would manage to hoist a tree and carry it to the loading point. County Executive Steve Neuhaus was also a frequent volunteer.
The tradition has had 11 years to develop. Over that time, the Nannini family and Farmside Acres have become one of the largest contributors to Trees for Troops. Last December they collected close to 1,000 trees, which were shipped to the families of active duty service people on three different bases.
This year, the donated trees will go to Fort Bragg, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Air Field and the Marine Corps Air Base at Cherry Point.
If you’d like to contribute a tree, you can pick it up from your favorite supplier and leave it at Farmside Acres (280 Angola Road in Cornwall). You can write a note to the recipients on the blank tags that will be left at the drop-off point. The deadline for donations is Monday, Dec. 2.
If you can’t get out to purchase a tree, you can use email to arrange for Farmside Acres to cut a tree on your behalf. Write to farmsideacres@gmail.com for prices and information.
The trucks are expected at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Dec. 3. You can be part of the crowd that greets them and helps to see that they are filled.
