"A really special thing:" Curtis Ambulance delivers Christmas trees to local shelters and churches

MILWAUKEE -- They usually deliver patients to the hospital, but on Friday, December 16th, some ambulances were making a different type of delivery.

This may look like a Christmas tree lot, but it's not, it's Curtis Ambulance. But instead of stretchers and medical supplies -- the bus is loaded with Christmas trees.

"Christmas Trees! And it leaves a nice pine scent in the ambulance afterwards," said Jim Baker, president of Curtis Ambulance.

It's a more than 20-year-old tradition for the man who owns Curtis Ambulance.

"We've been doing it a long time -- I wasn't grey when we started. It's something that we look forward to," said Baker.

It's all to spread some Christmas cheer to Milwaukee's most needy.

"It's a good thing! Usually when someone sees an ambulance it's when someone is hurt, and this way it's a nice time to see an ambulance because we're doing something fun," said Baker.

The trees are delivered to churches and community centers. Three will go inside the Milwaukee Rescue Mission.

Curtis Ambulance

"The real tree is a really special thing, it just makes you feel a little bit more like home," said Ben Hoekstra, Milwaukee Rescue Mission.

Each tree will find its way to lobbies and around the men's shelter. They will be decorated by shelter residents.

"They talk about their memories of Christmas and it's really special for them to participate in that," said Hoekstra.

Shelter leaders say the holidays can be lonely for the homeless and anything to spread a little cheer, is welcomed by the residents.

More trees will be delivered to Burlington so they can spread the holiday cheer in Racine County.

Curtis Ambulance purchases the trees through a partnership with Home Depot.