'Trees From Home' gives military personnel a taste of the holidays: "It's important to give back"

`Trees From Home` gives military personnel a taste of the holidays: “It`s important to give back”

`Trees From Home` gives military personnel a taste of the holidays: "It`s important to give back"

MILWAUKEE -- Oftentimes, military personnel spend the holidays away from their families, so a group is making an effort to send the holidays to them.

Julie Stuhlmacher

Julie Stuhlmacher is known as the holiday hero.

"I don`t think I`m a hero," Stuhlmacher said.

But so many military men and women think she is, because for years, she's been sending them a little Christmas cheer.

"I get tears in my eyes. It`s just such an exciting day," Stuhlmacher said.

It all began back in 2003, when Stuhlmacher's son was deployed. She sent him a small tree for the holidays.

"When he got home on leave he said 'Mom, that was the best gift anybody got,'" Stuhlmacher said.

And thus, "Trees From Home" was born. Now, the effort is so large, she needs the help of dozens of volunteers.

Trees From Home

"My dad served in the Navy during Vietnam -- and I just think it`s important to give back to our vets and honor their service and thank them for everything they do for us," Brian McPherson said.

Each box is filled with a decorated tree, a gift bag filled with essentials and a hand-crocheted hat.

Bell Ambulance provides the transportation to the post office, where the boxes are then shipped overseas.

Trees From Home

"It`s not a chore to us. This is fun. Any way we can give back to our armed forces -- we jump at it," Scott Mickelsen with Bell Ambulance said.

The post office is typically closed on Veterans Day -- but they opened on Wednesday, November 11th to receive and ship these care packages.

The work put in by Stuhlmacher and the volunteers who help takes hours -- but those involved know it's worth it.

"Even though people say we`re getting out of Afghanistan & Iraq, there is need all over the world. We send all over the world," Stuhlmacher said.

It takes about $25,000 for this effort to become a reality.

Trees From Home

You can learn more about "Trees From Home," make a donation to help in this effort, and learn how to become a volunteer by CLICKING HERE.