Nova Scotia Christmas tree growers took part in a national program to support military families by providing Christmas trees to all families with a loved one deployed this holiday season. On hand for the December 7 tree delivery at 14 Wing Greenwood, from left, were Pt Angie St. Nicolas, Marilyn King, Col Randy Boucher, Holly and Hannah King, Emily and Owen St. Nicolas, Kings County grower Steve Bezanson, Dale and Joy Myrah and Kathy Joyce.
N.Kelly
Trees for troops
Local growers join national campaign for a merrier military Christmas
BY NANCY KELLY
Kings County Register
For Christmas tree grower Steve Bezanson, donating trees to families of Greenwood-based military personnel deployed in Afghanistan is “the least” he can do to offer thanks to those who serve their country as members of the Canadian Forces.
Bezanson, farming Christmas trees for 15 years, was proud to provide 30 trees from his Black Rock tree lot as part of the national program, supported by the Canadian Council of Christmas Tree Growers. As a member and former president of the Nova Scotia association, Bezanson jumped at the chance to be involved.
“When they contacted me, they sure didn’t have to ask twice - I didn’t even hesitate,” said Bezanson, who brought his trees to the Morfee Centre in Greenwood December 7.
Margaret Reid, co-ordinator of deployment services for the Greenwood Military Family Resource Centre, said the initiative is a nice way to support military families celebrating Christmas without a loved one.
“Christmas can be tough when you have a family member deployed, and any act of kindness can ease that,” said Reid of the national tree donation initiative, which saw over 3,000 trees donated across Canada.
A series of tree deliveries to military bases across Canada coincided with the 14 Wing event. Several local families dropped by to receive their trees and volunteers were on hand to help them tie them to their cars to take home.
Angie St. Nicolas and her two children, Emily and Owen, are planning to have their tree decorated in time to welcome home husband and father Shawn St. Nicolas, who arrives home on a mid-deployment break the week before Christmas.
“We are lucky that he’ll be home for the holiday - not every family is that fortunate,” said St. Nicolas.
