FedEx Corp. is spreading holiday cheer to America’s service members and their families this season with a special delivery of more than 17,000 live Christmas trees. For the past nine years, Trees for Troops has brought together FedEx, the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and tree farmers from across the country to ship real Christmas trees to service members overseas and to military bases here in the U.S.

“FedEx team members often feel like we’re playing ‘Santa’ during the holiday season for so many of our customers, but the delivery of these Christmas trees to our men and women in uniform is one of our most treasured holiday traditions,” said Bill Logue, president and CEO, FedEx Freight. “The holidays are a tremendously busy time for FedEx, but we’re honored to be invited to mobilize our logistics network in support of the dedication of America’s servicemen and women.”

The initiative kicked off in Thorntown, Indiana where the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association donated Christmas trees. Their trees will be shipped to service members stationed in the Middle Eat via the FedEx Express hub in Indianapolis. Then FedEx Freight will hit the road to deliver trees to U.S. military bases. Many of the deliveries will also include special holiday festivities in which military families will pick-up their much anticipated Christmas trees. The National Christmas Tree Association is also doing their part in donating thousands of trees through their philanthropic branch. The public can also donate to help support this cause.

Trees for Troops is part of FedEx Special Delivery, a nationwide program that supports local organizations by donating transportation services and other assistance to help them fulfill their missions. Since it launched in 2005, FedEx has shipped more than 122,000 real Christmas trees to service members and their families – covering every branch of the military at more than 60 bases in 17 countries.