DHL's Heartwarming 'Operation Holiday Cheer' Marks 22 Years of Bringing Joy to Deployed Troops

DHL's Heartwarming 'Operation Holiday Cheer' Celebrates 22 Successful Years

DHL Express, a leader in global shipping solutions, has once again made the holiday season a little brighter for U.S. service members stationed far from home. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of 'Operation Holiday Cheer,' a beloved initiative that delivers fresh Christmas trees along with ornaments, lights, menorahs, and touching letters from school children directly to U.S. troops deployed in places like Bahrain, Djibouti, Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait.

In a charming event held on December 8th, 2025, at Dees' Nursery in Oceanside, New York, DHL, in collaboration with local charities and Dees' Nursery, celebrated this annual tradition. The event drew in veterans, school children, community members, and officials from Nassau County, all coming together to spread joy and goodwill. A special visit from Santa added a festive touch to the occasion.

During the festivities, students had the unique opportunity to read heartfelt letters they crafted for the troops, reminding everyone of the warmth and kindness present within their communities. The celebration included performances of both holiday classics and patriotic tunes by the American Bombshells, further infusing the day with festive spirit.

Once the celebrations concluded, a police motorcade escorted a convoy from the nursery to DHL's JFK Gateway facility. Here, the trees and decorations were loaded onto a DHL 767 cargo jet, which made a brief stop at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport hub before proceeding to the DHL hub in Bahrain. From there, the cheerful shipment was delivered to various U.S. military bases in the aforementioned countries.

As part of this year's initiative, the contribution of Christmas trees came from Dees' Nursery, alongside donations from local organizations, including Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon and the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Fund, among others. The partnership with Dees' Nursery and local businesses has been pivotal in making holiday cheer accessible for those stationed abroad.

The inception of ‘Operation Holiday Cheer’ dates back to 2004 when a mother of a deployed soldier reached out for assistance in sending her son a Christmas tree. This heartfelt request sparked a collaboration among Dees' Nursery, local figure Jim Adelis, and DHL, leading to the annual delivery of thousands of Christmas trees. To date, this initiative has successfully transported over 14,000 trees and other holiday treats to troops, branding it as a tradition that deeply resonates with families and service members alike.

Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express U.S., emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "Being away from family and friends during the holidays is never easy for service members abroad. Through Operation Holiday Cheer, we are bringing comfort, joy, and a touch of home to our troops. This effort serves as a meaningful way for us to show support for those who sacrifice so much, and we are honored to use our global network to deliver a bit of holiday comfort to our troops overseas."

As we celebrate the 22nd year of Operation Holiday Cheer, it stands as a testament to the power of community and togetherness—even in times of separation. DHL’s unwavering commitment to uplifting the spirits of our service members during the festive season continues to foster a warm and supportive atmosphere that transcends geographical boundaries.

Join In!

Anyone interested in supporting or participating in future efforts can reach out to their local DHL office or community organizations involved in similar endeavors. Together, we can help keep the holiday spirit alive for all, especially those serving our country on the front lines.