'tis the season for kindness

These amazing women's favorite way to celebrate is by giving back.

- Nicole Pajer

She donates Christmas trees to service members.

Leigh Nannini Rivas CORNWALL, NY

When Leigh moved back to the Christmas tree farm where she had grown up to get more involved in the family business, she found out that nobody in the area was participating in Trees for Troops, a nationwide program that provides free farm-grown Christmas trees to members of the U.S. armed forces and their families. "My father and I reached out to other local businesses, and the first year, which was 2009, we got around 200 trees," she says. In 2021, her family collected 1,500 trees, and to date they have been able to give over 10,000 trees to military families.

Some of the trees come from Farmside Acres, Leigh's family's farm, but the majority are donated by other businesses. "I drag my husband from store to store to get the trees," Leigh says. "Starting in the middle of November, I'm covered in sap." Each tree is tagged with a personal note from the donor. Leigh loves hearing from the recipients: "My son's pediatrician's nurse received a tree when her husband was stationed overseas, and she said it brought so much warmth into their home."

Leigh emphasizes that it's a family and group effort, and everyone in the community helps get the trees on the road. "There's nothing like a real Christmas tree-the smell, just everything about it," she says. "Giving people not only the Christmas memory but the real tree is just awesome!"

Her fundraiser helps people in need survive harsh winters.

Jasilika Davidson COLUMBUS, OH