(CNN) The holiday season can be difficult for military families.

Traditions may be broken. Loved ones may deployed far away, and what is usually a festive season may turn bleak as many in the military give up their holidays to serve.

A group of nine people, however, is brightening the holidays for thousands of military service members.

Over the next few weeks, 16,000 trees will be delivered across the country and abroad through Trees for Troops , a program that provides free, farm-grown Christmas trees to military bases. Beyond the team of nine, there are hundreds of volunteers who help.

Trees for Troops began in 2005 and has delivered more than 225,000 Christmas trees to military families in the US and to troops stationed overseas. The act may seem small, but for those serving, it can mean everything.

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