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Monongahela National Forest Announces 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour Schedule

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Each year, a different national forest provides a tree to light the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. Monongahela National Forest, in partnership with nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors and presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, will bring this special gift from West Virginia to Washington, D.C., with a series of events in communities along the way.

Between Nov. 4-17, local communities will welcome the 63-foot Norway spruce at parks, plazas, schools, memorials, main streets, and more. Well-wishers can see the wrapped-up tree on its extra-long trailer, sign the banners attached to each side, learn about Monongahela National Forest, purchase U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree merchandise, and enjoy the holiday spirit in their communities.

“We are grateful to the communities of West Virginia for hosting these special events,” said Shawn Cochran, forest supervisor for Monongahela National Forest, “and the many sponsors that make this tour possible. Our staff looks forward to sharing the holiday excitement and fun with people of all ages on the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree tour.”

The tour will kick off Saturday, November 4, with a special celebration in Elkins, home to the headquarters of Monongahela National Forest. Hosted in partnership with the Elkins-Randolph Chamber of Commerce and Elkins Mainstreet, the city will become “Elfkins,” with annual holiday lights and festivities planned at the Elkins Depot Welcome Center, including an appearance by Mark Bowe, host of Magnolia Network’s Barnwood Builders, at the AHF Products® booth.

The schedule of tour events includes:

  • Saturday, Nov. 4, 6:00 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. Elkins Depot Welcome Center (315 Railroad Ave, Elkins, WV 26241)
  • Sunday, Nov. 5, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Summersville Arena and Conference Center (3 Armory Way, Summersville, WV 26651)
  • Monday, Nov. 6, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Mitchell Chevrolet (400 8th St, Marlinton, WV 24954)
  • Tuesday, Nov. 7, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tamarack Marketplace (One Tamarack Place, Beckley, WV 25801); 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. WV State Capitol Complex (1716 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV 25305)
  • Wednesday, Nov. 8, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Former ACF Industries Parking Lot (3rd Avenue between 22nd and 24th streets, Huntington, WV 25703)
  • Thursday, Nov. 9, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. White Palace at Wheeling Park (1801 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003)
  • Friday, Nov. 10, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 84 Lumber (3208 Earl L. Core Road, Morgantown, WV 26508)
  • Saturday, Nov. 11, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Operation Welcome Home at Mylan Park (452 Mylan Park Lane, Morgantown, WV 26501); 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. West Virginia University at Downtown Morgantown (243 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505)
  • Sunday, Nov. 12, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Swilled Dog/Raymond’s Gymnastic Center (28 Industrial Park Road, Upper Tract, WV 26866)
  • Monday, Nov. 13, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. DavisYard (533 William Avenue, Davis, WV 26260)
  • Tuesday, Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. WV Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (301 E Main St, Romney, WV 26757)
  • Wednesday, Nov. 15, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Harpers Ferry Job Corps Center (146 Buffalo Dr, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425)
  • Thursday, Nov. 16, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Joint Base Andrews (Base only)
  • Friday, Nov. 17, Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building

Festivities are free and open to the public for all to enjoy. Tour dates and locations are subject to change at any time. Monitor www.uscapitolchristmastree.com/calendar for updates. Beginning November 4, the tree’s journey can be tracked online at capitoltreetracker.com, hosted by Spireon, a Solera solution.

In addition to presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, partners supporting the 2023 journey include Kenworth Truck Company, Werner Enterprises, Hale Truck and Trailer, Spireon, a Solera solution, WCHS ABC 8/FOX 11, Verizon Frontline, Society of American Foresters, All Crane & Equipment Rental, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Truckload Carriers Association, AHF Products, Bruce®, Armstrong Flooring™ and Robbins® flooring brands, Great West Casualty Company, Warwood Tool, LexisNexis VitalChek Network, Inc. and others.

The top priority is the safety of tour staff, event attendees, and the tree; local public health guidelines will be followed. We ask the public to be aware of the large truck’s substantial blind spots, wide turns, and longer stopping distances on our roads as they welcome the tree to their communities.

Follow the journey of the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and be a part of the festivities at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com, @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram, or the Monongahela National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/mnf and https://www.facebook.com/MonongahelaNF.

84 LUMBER Announces Presenting Sponsorship of 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

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Eighty Four, PA (May 25, 2023) – 84 Lumber, the nation’s largest privately held building materials supplier, is proud to announce its sponsorship of the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The tree will journey from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to stand proudly in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. this holiday season. This is the second year 84 Lumber has been the presenting sponsor of what affectionately is known as “The People’s Tree.”

“We are honored to be a part of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative, which provides the opportunity to celebrate the spirit of the season and brings our great country together during the holidays,” said 84 Lumber Owner and CEO Maggie Hardy. “The People’s Tree” is a national treasure and 84 Lumber and our associates nationwide are proud to help bring the tree to Washington, D.C. to be enjoyed by everyone.”

“The annual journey is only possible with the help of sponsors from both the public and private sectors,” said Bruce Ward, president of Choose Outdoors, the non-profit partner of the USDA Forest Service. “We’re grateful for the time and resources that 84 Lumber and all our invaluable partners are providing to help make this the best tour to date.”

Monongahela National Forest will provide the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on behalf of the USDA Forest Service, kicking off a year-long celebration with the theme of “Endlessly Wild & Wonderful” to connect people to West Virginia’s public lands.

Each year, a tree is selected from a different national forest. The Monongahela National Forest was the first national forest to provide “The People’s Tree” on behalf of the Forest Service in 1970, and again in 1976. 2023 will be the third time West Virginia will have the distinction.

84 Lumber will be hosting a special stopover for the tree at its newly expanded location in Morgantown, West Virginia, on Earl L Core Road in November. 84 Lumber has a total of 14 locations in West Virginia.

As part of 84 Lumber’s celebration of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree as a symbol of hope, peace, and unity, the company also will honor military service people at a special stopover at the end of the tree’s journey. Beautiful Christmas trees, fresh from local growers in West Virginia, will be presented by 84 Lumber as an early holiday gift to families at Joint Base Andrews, the final stop on the tree’s journey to Washington, D.C., where it will be unwrapped and transported to the U.S. Capitol.

The tree lighting ceremony will take place in late November, and the tree will light up the West Lawn from nightfall until 11 p.m. each evening until January 1, 2024.

For related news, events, and tour information, and to track the tree on the journey to D.C., visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com. To learn more about 84 Lumber, visit www.84lumber.com.

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Make an Ornament for 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Initiative

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Make an Ornament for 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Initiative

Monongahela National Forest invites everyone to create an Endlessly Wild and Wonderful handmade ornament for the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Donated ornaments will adorn the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree and smaller trees that will be showcased this holiday season in Washington, D.C.

“Each year a national forest is selected to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and the residents of that state are asked to decorate it with ornaments that celebrate their state,” said Amy Albright, 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Project Manager. “We need your help creating handmade ornaments that capture the diversity of people, places, plants, and animals that make West Virginia so special.”

Two types of ornaments are needed:

  • Approximately 3,000 large ornaments that are brightly colored and weatherproof to withstand wind, rain and snow.
  • Nearly 9,000 smaller ornaments that are lightweight and colorful. Weatherproofing is not needed as they will be indoors.

The deadline to receive ornaments is Sept. 1, 2023. Mail them to U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, 200 Sycamore Street, Elkins WV 26241 or drop them off at any Monongahela National Forest office (look up locations here).

Surplus crafting, sewing, and clean recyclable materials that can be used to make ornaments are also needed and will be used at schools, youth groups, senior centers, and events all around the state. Drop off your surplus materials at any Monongahela National Forest office.

Participants are asked to use natural, recyclable, and repurposed materials to create these ornaments. Sharp materials that would pose a danger to people decorating the trees or could cut or nick tree lighting wires should not be used. Ornaments may not include commercial logos or be divisive or offensive. Ornaments cannot be returned. For more information about ornament sizes, requirements, and examples, click here.

Contact Julie Fosbender via email or call (304) 635-4446 for additional information about creating U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree ornaments and how your group or community can get involved.

Monongahela National Forest has partnered with the nonprofit organization Choose Outdoors to assist in the creation of a year-long conservation education campaign about the multi-use mission of the Forest Service and the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The initiative is made possible with support from the presenting sponsor, 84 Lumber, and with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small, along with vital support from volunteers locally and across America.

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84 Lumber Donates $10,000 to MANNA FoodBank in Asheville, NC

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84 Lumber Donates $10,000 to MANNA FoodBank in Asheville, NC

Eighty Four, PA (September 29, 2022) – 84 Lumber, the nation’s largest privately held building materials supplier, has donated $10,000 to the Asheville-based MANNA FoodBank to shine a spotlight on Hunger Awareness Month. As the presenting sponsor of the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree, harvested from nearby Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina, 84 Lumber has delivered an early Christmas gift to MANNA FoodBank, located in Asheville, North Carolina.

Every year since 1964, a different national forest has been selected to provide a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The name ‘People’s Tree’ reflects the nickname for the U.S. House of Representatives, the People’s House. The 2022 tree will come from the Pisgah National Forest near Asheville, and 84 Lumber will be among those tracking the tree’s journey from North Carolina to Washington, D.C.

On September 29th, 84 Lumber Asheville Store Manager, Ryan Adair presented the MANNA FoodBank with a $10,000 check just in time for the holiday season. “As a presenting sponsor of the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, 84 Lumber is honored to bring an early Christmas gift to the Asheville community,” said Ryan Adair. “We are excited that this donation will serve many people right here in our neighborhood, especially around the holiday season.”

MANNA FoodBank is a private, not-for-profit service organization working to end food insecurity in the 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary. MANNA links the food industry to over 200 partner pantries and other human service organizations to get food to thousands of families’ tables. MANNA is an acronym and stands for Mountain Area Nutritional Needs Alliance and is a member of Feeding America [feedingamerica.org], the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization. 

Officials with MANNA say this time of year is a particularly tough time for families struggling to get by. “This is the time of year where most nonprofits see an increase in needs for local families and we are grateful for partners like 84 Lumber,” said Olivia Onderlinde, Corporate Engagement Manager at MANNA FoodBank. “This generous gift will provide 40,000 meals ahead of holiday need.”

For related news, events, and tour information, and to track the tree on the journey to D.C., visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com.  To learn more about 84 Lumber, visit www.84lumber.com.

(Photo from left to right: Lorie Lewis Stroup, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator, U.S. Forest Service; Ryan Adair, Store Manager, 84 Lumber; Olivia Onderlinde, Corporate Engagement Manager, MANNA FoodBank; Cathy Dowd, Public Affairs Officer, Forest Service, National Forests in North Carolina; Judy Dinelle, Building Ambassador, 84 Lumber)

2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour from North Carolina to Washington, D.C. Nov. 5-18

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US Capitol Christmas Tree 2022 - RGB - WIDER

Asheville, NC August 22, 2022 – The National Forests in North Carolina and nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors, along with presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, have announced the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour dates. The tree’s journey from the Pisgah National Forest to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building will kick off on Saturday, November 5, and, over the course of two weeks, make 14 stops in local communities from the mountains to the sea across North Carolina, plus two stops in Virginia.

Local communities will welcome the 78-foot tall Red Spruce at parks, plazas, schools, memorials, main streets, and more. Well-wishers will have a chance to sign the banners on the truck’s sides, learn more about their national forests, shop for U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree merchandise, and more. Beginning Nov. 5, the tree’s journey can be tracked in real-time online at capitoltreetracker.com, hosted by Spireon, Inc. Festivities are free and open to the public for all to enjoy. The schedule of events includes:

Saturday, Nov. 5
3:00­ – 5:00 p.m. Western North Carolina Agricultural Center (9237, 761 Boylston Hwy, Fletcher, NC 28732)

Sunday, Nov. 6
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Cherokee County Courthouse (75 Peachtree St, Murphy, NC 28906)
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Oconaluftee Island Park Event Site (181 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719)

Monday, Nov. 7
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Pisgah Forest Ranger Station & Visitor Center (1600 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768)
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Marion Main Street (Between Court Street and Fort Street, Marion, NC 28752)

Tuesday, Nov. 8
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Avery County Cooperative Extension Center (661 Vale Rd, Newland, NC 28657)
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Watauga High School (300 Go Pioneers Dr, Boone, NC 28607)
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Downtown Newton (33 East A Street, Newton, NC 28658)

Wednesday, Nov. 9
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Veteran’s Memorial Park (691 W. Lebanon St. Mount Airy, NC 27030)
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Troy Town Hall (315 N Main St, Troy, NC 27371)

Thursday, Nov. 10
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. North Carolina Zoo (4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205)

Friday, Nov. 11
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. North Carolina Veteran’s Home (2150 Hull Rd, Kinston, NC 28504)

Saturday, Nov. 12
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Union Point Park (210 E Front St, New Bern, NC 28560)

Sunday, Nov. 13
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (1500 Fort Raleigh Road, Manteo, NC 27954)

Monday, Nov. 14
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Suffolk Visitors Center (524 North Main St, Suffolk, VA 23434)

Wednesday, Nov. 16
84 Lumber, North Chesterfield, VA (Details to be announced)

Thursday, Nov. 17
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Joint Base Andrews (Base only)

Friday, Nov. 18
Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building

*Subject to change. Monitor the website at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com/calendar for updates.

The tree’s journey is possible with the generous support of presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, along with Kenworth Truck Company, Hardy Brothers Trucking, Hale Trailer, Spireon, Inc., North Carolina Forest Service, North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Dover Crane, Verizon, Western North Carolina Agriculture Center, Society of American Foresters, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Truckload Carriers Association, AHF Products, Bruce ®, Armstrong ® and Robbins ® Flooring, Pilot Flying J, FIND Outdoors, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bartlett Tree Company, National Forest Foundation, LexisNexis VitalChek Network, Inc., Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Cultivated Cocktails, and Vesmir.

The top priority is the safety of tour staff, event attendees, and the tree; local public health guidelines will be followed. We ask the public to be aware of the large truck’s substantial blind spots, wide turns, and longer stopping distances on our roads so we can all arrive safely.

Follow along online at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com and @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram.
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