Service members take photos of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arriving at Major George S. Welch Elementary School at Dover Air Force Base
EIGHTY FOUR, Pa. (Nov. 21, 2024) – 84 Lumber, the nation’s largest privately held building materials supplier, is honored to have brought an early Christmas gift to Dover Air Force Base families with a private event held at Major George S. Welch Elementary School/Air Base Middle School on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. 84 Lumber provided special holiday treats, music, and had Santa Claus make an appearance for the school children attending the special whistle-stop event. The company also donated 84 Christmas trees to Dover Air Force Base families.
“84 Lumber is proud to sponsor the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree that brings so many people joy throughout the holidays,” said 84 Lumber Vice President of Marketing Amy Smiley. “We’re excited to welcome the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to Dover Air Force Base, an area where we have strong connections to the community.” 84 Lumber has multiple locations in Delaware, including Newark, Claymont, Selbyville, Clarksville, Milford, and Dover.
“We extend special thanks to all of you for your service – that includes not only those in uniform, but partners, spouses, and, most of all, the children,” said Smiley. “At 84, we have hundreds of associates across the country who have a military background. These military veterans are men and women who have served in multiple branches of the military and who now serve in multiple ways throughout our organization.”
This year’s tree will have traveled over 4200 miles from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska – America’s largest national forest – to reach the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. for the 2024 holiday season. It is expected to generate widespread enthusiasm in all the communities it visits.
Every year since 1970, the U.S. Forest Service, in cooperation with the U.S. Architect of the Capitol’s Office, has selected a tree from one of the 154 forests it manages, made possible with the help of many individuals, non-profits, and private sector businesses. This is only the second time the tree has come from Alaska, America’s largest state.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a 62-year tradition in which one of the nation’s 154 national forests provides a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The project is made possible with support from partners like 84 Lumber, along with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small, as well as volunteers locally and across the nation. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree program creates the opportunity to spotlight public lands with billions of trees across diverse ecosystems.
For related news, events, and information, visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com. To learn more about 84 Lumber, visit www.84lumber.com.
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About the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a 54-year tradition in which one of the nation’s 155 national forests provides a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The project is made possible with support from partners with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small as well as volunteers locally and across America. For a list of 2024 sponsors and to join in the Christmas spirit, visit uscapitolchristmastree.com and @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram.
About 84 Lumber
Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, 84 Lumber Co. is the nation’s largest privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single and multifamily residences and commercial buildings. The company operates 320 facilities which include stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, and engineered wood product centers in 34 states. 84 Lumber also offers turnkey installation services for a variety of products, including framing, insulation, siding, windows, roofing, decking, and drywall. A certified national women’s business enterprise owned by Maggie Hardy, 84 Lumber was named as one of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2024 by Newsweek and was named one of America’s Top Retailers 2024 by USA Today. The company was also recognized as one of America’s Largest Private Companies in 2023 by Forbes. The company also made the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies in 2023. For more information, visit www.84lumber.com and join us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.