Christmas tree farmers giving to military families this holiday season

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WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) -

The holiday season can be hard for military families who are away from home.

But local Christmas tree farmers are working to deliver a bit of home.

15 years ago, a couple Christmas tree farmers wanted to bring a little joy to military families over the holidays...

"Our thought was that some of these military families on base might not be able to afford a real Christmas tree," says Harry Peckham.

So, Peckham and other farmers uprooted their own, home grown evergreens.

"Fed ex said well we'll pick them up and take them to the bases so they can be distributed. They threw that thing together in about 6  weeks that first year and it's been going strong ever since."

Taking 8 to 10 years to grow, these Christmas trees are a labor of love. And while growers have dwindled throughout the years, donations have not.

This year, 110 trees from Prairie pines are en route to military families on base in Corpus Christi.

"I think it means a little bit of home in the case of Kansas because they're going to military spots around the country. A lot of Kansas men and women are there," says Bob Scott, owner of Prairie Pines.

Scott says this giveaway never fails to get him and his fellow Christmas tree farmers in the holiday spirit.

"It feels good. why do you do nice things. It feels good. And they deserve it so we're glad to do it."

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