These Santas salute sailors with free Christmas trees

For many of us, the holidays bring joy and cheerful spirits. But the time can also reinforce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

So if improving the holidays for military families can be accomplished as easily as handing over a free Christmas tree, count Great Lakes Naval Station as a place chock-full of holiday goodwill.

"This is the hardest time of year not to be home with your family," said Rick Dungey, spokesman for the Christmas Spirit Foundation, which will deliver trees to 37 bases across the country.

For the event, farmers offered their trees for free and FedEx donated the shipping.

"It's a small, but hopefully significant, gesture," Dungey said.

Naval base officials said vouchers, mostly for families of those who spent time or are now overseas, were handed out to about 150 families. Many milled about in the lot near North Chicago Friday, asking questions about tree types and picking out their perfect one.

"We have a 16-month-old so we're looking for one that's soft," said Seaman Sara Leasure, who was selecting a tree with her husband, Correy. "I want a full one. He wants a bigger one."

Robert Richardson, who along with his brother George brought trees from their 440-acre farm near Spring Grove, took time to explain the pluses and minuses for each type of tree to families looking for a good match.

"That's part of the spirit," Richardson said with a laugh. He said he and his brother were happy to get involved with the program through the National Christmas Tree Association. "We wanted to give back a little bit."

Richardson said he and his brother mostly brought Frasier firs but also offered white pine, Canaan fir, Scotch pine and Douglas fir trees.

Whatever type of tree the families chose, base officials said it was the thought behind the gift that mattered.

"It's really heartwarming," said Capt. David Schnell, commanding officer at the Great Lakes Naval Station. He said honoring service men and women's sacrifices is even more important during the holiday season. "The really neat thing is when you see these families."

But once again, proving that your grandmother was always right, it seemed even better to give than receive at the event Friday.

"This is very rewarding for me," said Randy Broderick, spokesman for FedEx. "I love being able to say 'thank you' to these people."

How you can help

In Lake County, people who want to buy a tree and donate it to a military family can visit Rosko's Great Christmas Trees at1500 Grand Ave., Lindenhurst, or at 6590 Grand Ave., Gurnee. Ask for Rich Rosko. Call (847) 356-3041. Visit www.christmasspiritfoundation.org for more information.