MT. CORY__Kaleidoscope Farms is continuing its long-standing tradition of inviting local veterans out to the farm to select Christmas trees to send to troops stationed overseas during the holidays. This year the event will be on at 2:00 p.m. on November 5, the Sunday prior to Veteran’s Day.

“We get to celebrate Veteran’s Day in a special way at Kaleidoscope Farms,” said Dave Reese, farm owner. “We participate in Ohio’s Operation Evergreen Program that sends around 100 Christmas trees from the state’s Christmas tree growers, complete with handmade ornaments, to troops stationed overseas for the holidays.”

Local elementary students, high school students and community groups also visit the farm to present the ornaments they have made to the veterans. Last year there were well over 3,000 ornaments brought to the farm. The trees and ornaments then go from the farm to the Ohio Department of Agriculture where officials will inspect the trees before they are shipped to U.S. troops stationed around the world.

This year’s Operation Evergreen event will include a live band on the farm and is free to the public. Operation Evergreen is possible thanks to $10,000 to $15,000 in annual donations to cover the shipping costs of the program.