Wichita ? Tree farmers from Kansas are hoping to make Christmas a little bit brighter for troops stationed around the world.

Tree farmer Willy Goevert and others are donating a portion of their evergreens to a national program called “Trees for Troops.”

Goevert operates 4C Tree Farm in southeast Wichita. He says, “We give back a little bit. It’s kind of our way.”

The trees he is donating are among about 16,000 that will go to military service members and their families throughout the United States and overseas.

The program is sponsored by the Chesterfield, Mo.-based National Christmas Tree Association.