Tree growers support military families
Stephanie Burr
Staff writer
December 17, 2007
Stephanie Burr
Lookout
Mike Fleming from the British Columbia Christmas Tree Growers Association presents one of 22 trees donated to the families of deployed Canadian Forces members to Eileen O’Malley and David Scott, who each have sons serving in Afghanistan.
To show their support for Canadian troops, the Canadian Christmas Tree Growers Association (CCTGA) has donated Christmas trees across Canada to the families of deployed troops.
“This is a small gesture to show the troops and their families how much we appreciate them and what they are doing for us and our country,” says Mike Fleming a Christmas tree grower with the CCTGA. “This is the first time British Columbia has taken part in the campaign and we’re happy to do all that we can to show our gratitude to the Canadian Forces.”
The Military Family Resource Centre helped distribute 22 trees to local families Dec. 10.
“It came as a welcome surprise for us,” says Eileen O’Malley, whose son is deployed to Afghanistan. “It’s very nice to feel part of a larger group who are also without their loved ones over Christmas. It’s a comfort to know there are others in and around Victoria who are without their family members also. I feel more supported.”
The donation represents much more than just a Christmas tree for many families of deployed personnel.
“The trees represent a support system that is really very much like a family in its care for its members, and how the MFRC and similar organizations take the time to think how the families will spend Christmas,” says David Scott, whose son is currently serving in Afghanistan. “For us it will be a different kind of Christmas not having our son; it will be difficult as we worry about him, but we’ll think of him when we look at our tree.”
