There they all stood, gathered on top of the hill of a tree farm in their quest to bring military families together for the holidays.

Yenser’s Tree Farm in Lehighton kicked off its annual Trees for Troops program Friday morning amid plenty of fanfare.

Owners Jan and Ryan Wentz welcomed those in attendance and said they were prepared to load three trailers of trees.

Jan Wentz explained the purpose was to gather people who are donating trees to Trees for Troops, a nationwide effort to raise money to buy trees to give to military families.

Wentz said the goal was to raise enough money to give away 750 trees, which will be shipped off on Tuesday to Fort Campbell in Kentucky, and MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

“We are very excited to be hosting this event with lots of schools, local businesses, and other people who are contributing to the program,” Wentz said. “And just kicking off a big weekend where people get to donate, so we can share a little bit of our love with military families by giving them the gift of a live Christmas tree.”

Trees for Troops is a nationwide program of the Christmas Spirit Foundation in conjunction with the National Christmas Tree Association and FedEx.

There were several guest speakers, including Carbon County Assistant District Attorney Michael Greek.

“The holidays are a very difficult time for anybody who has served in the military,” Greek said. “This is such an important endeavor that we thank them for their sacrifices, commitment and dedication to their country.”

Director of Carbon County Veterans Affairs Christine LeClair said she knows through experience just how special a tree can be when away from one’s family.

“It might sound like a small gesture,” LeClair said. “Time and time again, our men and women in uniform are willing to make sacrifices to defend the nation that they love so much.”

Michelle Keyser, director of communications for the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, thanked Yenser’s Tree Farm and the community for their continued support of the program.

“It’s impressive that these trees are going to go all over the world,” Keyser said.

During the program, a total of $11,296 was donated from the following: Lehighton Middle School FBLA; Jim Thorpe High School; VFW McAdoo; King’s College; Lehighton High School National Honor Society and Students Against Drunken Drivers; LB Morris Elementary School in Jim Thorpe; Carbon County Assistant District Attorney Michael Greek; Panther Valley JROTC; American Legion Post 123, Lansford; McAdoo AM Vets Post 1; Shabbick and Associates; Key Bank, Lehighton Branch; VFW Post 8008, Nesquehoning; Vietnam Veteran’s of Carbon County; Behavioral Health Associates; Lehighton Elementary Center; Koch’s TV and Appliances; Zion UCC; and Lehighton United Veterans Organization.

Last holiday season, 16,599 trees were delivered to more 70 military bases in the U.S. and overseas, which brought the total to more than 225,319 real Christmas trees delivered through Trees for Troops since 2005, including 750 trees delivered to military bases from the farm.

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

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

Checks payable to: Yenser’s Tree Farm, 1910 Mahoning Drive East, Lehighton, PA 18235.