CLINTON, Tennessee — Bluebird Christmas Tree Farm has been helping families create holiday memories since 1982. But this year, the spirit of giving starts with them.
After Hurricane Helene devastated two farms in western North Carolina that supply Bluebird with Fraser firs, owner Leo Collins took action to support his longtime partners.
“They have loading zones that got flooded. They have tractors that got washed away. They have Bobcats that were underwater,” Collins said.
In response, Bluebird purchased an extra 800 trees from the farms and pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds back to help the farmers recover.
“We know the people, and they helped us,” Collins said. “So it’s more of a 'pay them back' than 'paying it forward.'”
The gesture comes with a special twist—it’s a surprise. Collins hasn’t told the farmers about the plan yet and doesn’t intend to tell them until the season ends.
“I’m sure they would start protesting, but I wanted those farms to know our respect for them,” he said.
To spread the word and encourage support, Collins posted about the effort on social media. The response has been overwhelming. The post garnered more than 600 shares, drawing customers from near and far to Bluebird’s farm in Tennessee.
Andrea Rey Hopkins, a customer, said she was moved by the initiative.
“As a customer, I feel like maybe, in a way, I’m contributing somewhat,” Hopkins said. “By supporting them and their efforts, it helps support North Carolina.”
Collins said the outpouring of support from Tennesseans is heartwarming.
“It kind of makes you proud to be in the Volunteer State because the customers really stepped up,” he said.
Collins said sales have already exceeded expectations so far this season, and they hope to continue to see more people at the farm.