14th annual Military Freedom Tree donation drive begins
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Robert Thomas chose Veterans Day to kick off the 14th annual Military Freedom Tree donation drive at Thomas Auto Centers in St. Clairsville.
The Freedom Tree benefits families of veterans in the Ohio Valley during the holiday season. It was founded in 2012 by Robert Thomas and his wife Robin Thomas. Inspired by other Ohio Valley fundraisers and charities, the couple decided they wanted to do something for local veterans.
Robert Thomas came up with the drive in 2012 while in his office overlooking the store's showroom.
"I’m like, man, we are so lucky to be here and it was about the same time I'm like, well, who’s taking care of our military? And I felt very humbled that our military is who got us here this far," Thomas said. "If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be sitting here looking at this big dealership. So that’s what spearheaded it. And my wife [Robin] jumped on board with me."
After starting with just three families in 2012, the Military Freedom Tree now serves 37 families. Donations began at $1,500 in 2012, Thomas said, but the couple now donates around $20,000 to local veterans’ families.
"It’s not that we’re trying to say that they’re destitute or needing it, but it’s our way of saying thank you and just a little bit extra help for the holidays," Thomas said.
If a veteran wants his or her family added to the tree, they can call the dealership at 740-695-0452 and ask for Robert. Donations can be dropped off at Thomas Auto Centers, located at 67791 Mall Rd.
"I’ll connect them with my wife Robin, who takes all their information and then every year, they just call back and they'll keep getting on the list if they still need the help," Thomas said. "We’ve had some families no longer need to help, and they’ve requested to be taken off because they’ve bettered themselves."
The drive has already received several donations, but is lacking donations for the older children from around 12 to 17 years old.
"Everybody likes buying for the little babies," Thomas said.
For the third straight year, the Military Freedom Tree has partnered with “The Gift” Christmas concert at the Capitol Theater on Dec. 4. A portion of all ticket sales from the show will go to support the Military Freedom Tree.
Concert founder Jo Ann Jones-Copeland said the collaboration is a natural fit for the concert.
"All of us in this cast and group of ‘The Gift’ Christmas concert, have had veterans in our families, and it’s a natural way for us to use our talents to to give back to those who are veterans who have given so much," Jones-Copeland said. "We’re excited about the collaboration together with Thomas Auto Centers."
Concert stage manager Scott Stephens added the partnership is just a way to show respect and gratitude to the veterans.
"There’s always people who can’t afford gifts for their families. The veterans never think of themselves. They never say, 'I want this.' They say, 'My wife needs slippers, my grandchild would really like a bicycle.' So we are honored to help them with that," Stephens said.