PHOTOS: Trees For Troops 2012

Families of soldiers got a Christmas gift in North Andover.

On Saturday, Smolak Farms was packed with military families picking out Christmas trees in the third annual Trees For Troops event. Trees For Troops is a program organized by BAE Systems and the USO to provide local soldiers and their families with Christmas trees and more. Often when a soldier is deployed or has recently returned, his or her family struggles to make ends meet. In the troubled economy of the past few years, that reality has been exacerbated. "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them preserving our freedoms," BEA Systems spokesperson Lu Goncalves-Getty said. So BAE Systems and the USO, with help from Smolak Farms, makes the holiday season a little brighter with Trees For Troops. The trees are donated to the families, and …

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Patch for the Holidays

IMAGE GALLERY: Trees for Troops

Smolak Farm hosts event reaching out to military families during the holidays

This year there are many families with young children in the area that have a parent deployed or waiting to be deployed that deserve to enjoy a happy holiday season. The USO and BAE systems put on an event to reach out to local military families. The event ran on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Smolak Farms.  The event featured Story Time with Mrs. Claus, ornament decorating, donuts and refreshments, and free hayrides. Each family received a free Christmas tree and a holiday goody bag provided by BAE Systems.

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