Dover tree farm supports local military in need

Alberto Soto, 512th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter and wounded warrior, is lowered after a hayride by three Evergreen Farms employees Nov. 30, 2013, at Evergreen Farms in Dover, Del. The farm donated 16 trees to wounded warriors and families in need. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Duhon)

Dover tree farm supports local military in need

Senior Airman Lori Cord, right, a wounded warrior, and Senior Airman Maxine Bustria, both with the 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, show their new tree and ornaments provided by Evergreen Farms Nov. 30, 2013, at Evergreen Farms in Dover, Del. Cord, who was diagnosed and overcame Guillain-Barre Syndrome, was grateful for what the farm was able to provide her for the holidays. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Duhon)

Dover tree farm supports local military in need

Published Dec. 3, 2013
By Senior Airman Jared Duhon
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- A local family owned tree farm provided trees to wounded warriors and other needy military families Nov. 30, 2013, at Evergreen Farms in Dover, Del.

Evergreens Farms donated 16 trees to the families as a way to give back to those who were wounded or in need during the holidays. Diane Penelli, Evergreen Farms co-owner, said helping military families is something she has always wanted to do.

"We have been open since the year 2000 and have always had military come down," Diane Penelli, Evergreen Farms co-owner. "But, this is the first time we've had a venue where we feel we can help military families in need. We are hoping to make this an annual event."

Penelli said she got the idea for the event when she contacted Thomas Krug, Air Force recovery care coordinator, who helped develop the event.

"I just told her my idea and she agreed and we started putting it together," said Krug. "This gives the families in true need a free tree to help them out during the holidays. It is a small way to build some lasting memories."

Senior Airman Alberto Soto, 512th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter and wounded warrior, liked the idea of the event.

"It is pretty awesome and I think it is a good thing they are doing," said Soto. "It is good for the families that came out. We were also able to make some memories out here."

Sherry Soto, Alberto's wife, said she was grateful for the event and how it brought their family together during the holiday season.

"This was the first time we've gone out to pick out a tree as a family," said Sherry. "I think it's great they opened this up to us. It gave us a chance to spend time with the kids and take some pictures."

The event, which was the brain child of Krug and the Pernelli family, allowed the Pernelli's the opportunity to honor military families for their sacrifice and service.
"The Penelli family is not military, they just wanted to do this for military families," said Krug. "The military always tries to give back to the community. This time the Penelli family wanted to give back to them."

Penelli said reaching out to those military families in need was well worth the cost of a sapling.

"We feel very strongly about what the military does and we don't take our freedom for granted because we understand there is a price to be paid for freedom," said Penelli. "Our trees don't cost anything to plant, but they do cost our time and hard work to ensure they grow. We hope we can give a little something back to those military families for their sacrifice for us."