DHL Delivers Holiday Cheer To U.S. Troops In The Middle East

Plantation, Fla.

* U.S. Leader in International Shipping Delivers Holiday Spirit with Annual Trees for Troops Charitable Program
* Official Send-off December 8 from DHL’s Gateway at JFK Airport in New York

For the fifth straight year, DHL, the world’s leading express delivery and logistics company, is donating its services to deliver hundreds of holiday trees, decorations and messages of support to U.S. troops in the Middle East through DHL’s annual Trees for Troops charitable program. Since 2004, DHL has collected and shipped thousands of live holiday trees, lights, ornaments, menorahs and letters of support from children and community members to the brave men and women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain and Kuwait.

This year, local businesses, organizations, private citizens and nurseries on the east and west coasts of the country will join forces with DHL to donate and deliver hundreds of trees and holiday items for the troops overseas. DHL has teamed up with Dee’s Nursery in Oceanside, New York, the New York State Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and other members of the local New York metro community. In addition, "Santa Sacks" filled with thousands of holiday cards written by local school children will accompany the shipment. The New York shipment will be consolidated with a second shipment of additional trees and care packages originating from Southern California.

DHL will host an official send-off event for this year’s Trees for Troops shipments on December 8th at DHL’s gateway at John F Kennedy Airport in New York. Letters to the troops will be read aloud by local school children at the event.

"As the specialist in international services, DHL is pleased to utilize its extensive U.S. and global network to deliver holiday cheer and uplift the spirits of those away from their loved ones this season" said Adrian Watts, Managing Director of U.S. Government Sales and Support for DHL Express.

Five years ago, DHL launched its annual Trees for Troops program after Jim Adelis, a New York businessman, overheard a woman at Dee’s Nursery inquiring about how to ship a Christmas tree to her son in Iraq. Adelis, whose son was stationed in Iraq at the time, was inspired to reach out to DHL and the local community to deliver more than just a single tree. In November and December 2004, with the help the U.S. Army Reserve 77th Regional Readiness Command, Dee’s Nursery and the New York metro community, DHL delivered two shipments featuring a total of 135 trees and holiday decorations from JFK to U.S. troops stationed at Camp Anaconda in Balad, Iraq.

DHL was the first international air express carrier to provide service to Iraq and Afghanistan following the lifting of sanctions and operates the most extensive logistics service into these countries. DHL announced the start of operations to Afghanistan in March 2002 and Iraq in March 2003.

Media may request interviews, site visits and receive more information on the DHL Trees for Troops event in New York by contacting the DHL USA Press Office at (954) 888-7114 or usa.pressoffice@dhl.com.

About DHL
DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL’s international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. Some 300,000 employees worldwide are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers’ expectations.

Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL is a Deutsche Post World Net brand. The group generated revenues of more than 63 billion euros (more than $93 billion) in 2007. For more information on DHL, please visit www.dhl.com.