By Kassidy Arena , Senior Reporter Nebraska Public Media News
Omaha, NE-Millions of pine trees are cut down each year to decorate the homes of those who celebrate Christmas.
But after the 25th, those trees start to reach their expiration date.
That’s why Jon Sample and his Boy Scout Troop decided to put them to good use. Sample, 14, is the senior patrol leader of Troop 570 in Omaha. His troop, along with others throughout the state, will pick up people’s evergreens to be donated for animal conservation or recycled into mulch.
“We didn’t use the Christmas trees, we didn’t take them home from the store, but it’s kind of our way of helping out and leaving the community, the earth as a whole, better than we found it,” Sample said.
Nebraskans in the pickup areas can sign up for a time online until Jan. 11. This year marks the 70,000th tree donation appointment for the scouts. The troops are also available to pick up and recycle used holiday lights.
Jim Nelson, the scout master for Troop 570, said his favorite part of the project is connecting with community members.
“I like the fact that we’re recycling and so it’s not going to landfills,” he said. “But the other part I enjoy is, the people come out and there’s several times you’ve had people very thankful that we’re picking it up for them, versus having to try to deal with it.”
“It’s really nice to know that I’m spending my time helping other people when they can’t find the time to do it themselves,” Sample added.
Nelson said the project started with Troop 282 in Missouri and spread to Nebraska.
The troop’s pickup locations include:
- Bellevue
- Bennington
- Elkhorn
- Gretna
- Kearney
- La Vista
- Lincoln
- Omaha
- Papillion
- Springfield
- Valley
- Waterloo
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