The folks at Stokoe Farms have had a Christmas tradition for years now. Each year, for the past ten years, they’ve shipped dozens of Christmas trees to troops serving overseas. It’s something they love to do and the troops love it, too.
This year was no different. The farm shipped out 37 real trees to local military personnel over seas.
Much to their shock and dismay, 16 of the trees have been returned to the farm. The farmers are terribly upset, “This is due to new rules and regulations put in place on November 27th. We have heard that these rules were put in place by the Department of State or the Department of Defense, but we are not sure which is true. The regulations are so new that the US Post Office was not aware of them when the trees were shipped. The rules regard the length of packages allowed to APO’s (military addresses.)”
Stokoe Farms has been sending trees overseas for a decade. Each year they’ve used the same size boxes during that time, “We send these overseas trees independent of the Trees for Troops Program, which is part of the Christmas Spirit Foundation. Our mission was to send real Christmas trees to local service men and women. The money for these sponsored trees comes from individual donations, many local legions and auxiliaries, and the Chili Senior Center. Stokoe Farms employees donate their time to cut, box and processes these trees for delivery (not an easy job!)”
Apparently this did not have any impact on the trees picked up by FedEx for the Trees for Troops program. Those trees are shipped domestically by FedEx and have arrived at their slated locations. With the help of Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York (CTFANY), several state and federal officials have been contacted to address this issue. They are not the only farm to have trees returned.
Now, the farm is looking for local families to donate the trees to, “To say we are disappointed is an understatement. At this point it does not look like these trees will be able to be send overseas for this Christmas season. We are looking for your assistance. These trees need a home. If you know a local veteran, military family, or a family in need who need a tree, please contact us at 889-0770.”
Call 889-0770 if you know of a local veteran, military family or family who needs a tree.
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