Yenser’s Tree Farm kicked off its annual Trees for Troops program Friday, with veterans, students from area schools and members of the community donating money to the cause.

People donate money to buy farm-grown Christmas trees to donate U.S. troops and military families through Trees for Troops, a nationwide program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation in conjunction with the National Christmas Tree Association and FedEx.

Last holiday season, more than 17,400 trees were delivered to 70 military bases in the U.S. and overseas. This brought the total to 208,720 real Christmas trees delivered through Trees for Troops since 2005.

“Clients purchase a $25 tree, which goes onto a FedEx trailer and sent to soldiers around the United States,” said Jan Wentz, owner of the farm.

Wentz is a board member of Trees for Troops, a nationwide initiative, and has done a lot to promote it here.

She is also a 4th grade teacher at Lehighton Elementary, where students raised money for 100 trees.

People can support Trees for Troops by purchasing a Christmas tree for $25 at Yenser’s Tree Farm during Trees for Troops Weekend, Friday through Saturday.

Donations can also be made online at www.yenserstreefarm.com.

Checks payable to: Yenser’s Tree Farm, 1910 Mahoning Drive East, Lehighton, PA 18235. “Our goal is 700 trees. We have three tractor-trailers and will be loading them.”