Massillon SAM Center offering free Christmas trees to anyone in need

Steven M. Grazier, The Independent
·2 min read
The Serving Area Military (SAM) Center is offering free Christmas trees to anyone who wants one. The facility is located at 413 Lincoln Way E in Massillon.
The Serving Area Military (SAM) Center is offering free Christmas trees to anyone who wants one. The facility is located at 413 Lincoln Way E in Massillon.

MASSILLON – The Serving Area Military (SAM) Center is spreading some holiday cheer by offering free Christmas trees to anyone who stops by the facility.

Lucia Cirese, executive director of the SAM Center, said Tuesday afternoon that a few dozen trees ranging from 4-feet to 12 feet are available. Tree stands and decorative ornaments are also being offered at no cost.

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"We've received an amazing donation of live Christmas trees this year," Cirese said. "Other (anonymous) donors purchased stands and bulbs, so that everyone may have their own standing tree."

The SAM Center is located at 413 Lincoln Way E in Massillon. It can be reached at 330-956-6162.

Free Christmas trees are available at the Serving Area Military (SAM) Center in Massillon.
Free Christmas trees are available at the Serving Area Military (SAM) Center in Massillon.

Cirese said people are welcome to call ahead to check on the availability of trees before coming out to the center, which opens at 7:30 a.m. through Friday.

Christmas trees were donated by Smith Evergreen Nursery in Magnolia. Overall, about 75 trees were delivered to the SAM Center.

SAM Center providing free Christmas toys food to local military families

About 350 children registered with the SAM Center will receive Christmas toys as gifts this season, said Cirese, adding that military families can also pick up a holiday meal and pie.

"One of the biggest joys of the (Christmas) season is seeing parents come in here and pick out gifts for their kids," she said.

Bryan Bowman, founder of the Serving Area Military (SAM) Center, is pictured with dozens of toys to be given out this week to local military families.
Bryan Bowman, founder of the Serving Area Military (SAM) Center, is pictured with dozens of toys to be given out this week to local military families.

Among the thousands of toys going to youth are board games, stuffed animals, dolls, model cars, puzzles, action figures, tricycles and bicycles.

The SAM Center regularly supports active-duty service members, veterans and their widows with a food pantry, providing food pickup opportunities twice per month.

The organization began in May 2015 and has partnered with multiple community organizations to help meet the needs of local military personnel.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: SAM Center Massillon offers free Christmas trees