Award-Winning Farm Donates Trees for Troops
To passersby, operating a tree farm may appear to be an easy, seasonal venture.
That impression couldn’t be further from the truth, according to Brother Brandon Mytrysak, who in addition to his full-time job in corrections, is a third-generation tree farmer. Brandon’s grandparents started a farm in Brush Valley, PA, after World War II, and the family continued the tradition. In 2019, Brandon and his wife, Stacey, bought a larger farm in Indiana, PA, seeing the potential to expand it into something unique and special.
Accomplishing that goal is a seven-days-a-week, year-round labor of love that entails office work, mowing, planting, shearing, fertilizing and picking up pine cones. While some may scoff at the price of a fresh cut Christmas tree, getting a six-to-10-year-old tree ready for market requires a lot of time and effort. Fortunately, the Mytrysaks work well as a team, both on the farm and in raising their three daughters: Lilly, Elena and Avery.
“It seems like more and more, people are coming out for the experience” of selecting
a Christmas tree, Brandon said.
During their visit to the farm on Family Fun Weekends, visitors enjoy “taking a tractor wagon ride out, walking around, selecting the perfect tree, cutting it down, participating in the festivities and enjoying quality family time,” Brandon said. The kids enjoy visiting with Santa
and playing on the playground; adults can enjoy some wine, listen to the live music and visit the gift shop.
“It’s always amazing to see return customers come on the same day every year, rain or shine, because that’s their tradition, the day they get their tree,” he said.
Others may choose to stop by and pick from a large selection of fresh pre-cut pine or spruce trees. The farm always opens on Black Friday, and this year, the fields will close on Dec. 8. The precut lot will remain open until they are sold out.
An almost 16-year member of Indiana-Franklin Lodge No. 313, Indiana, and a former deputy and police lieutenant, Brandon was introduced to Freemasonry through his uncle, Brother Dennis Mytrysak, Loyalhanna Lodge No. 275, Latrobe. Just as the fraternity supports military members and veterans in many ways, it was important for the Mytrysaks to honor their family members who have served by finding a meaningful way to give back.
They became involved in Trees for Troops (T4T) in 2009 and load over 150-250 trees to be donated through the Christmas Spirit Foundation each year. On a specified day each season, customers can purchase a tree for the program at a discounted rate of $50 and write a personalized message for the military family who will receive it.
The community comes together to make the T4T event a success. The Johnstown Generals Hockey Team, comprised of current and retired military, volunteers to coordinate the kids’ activities; collect, tag and count donated trees; and load them into the FedEx Freight truck, which takes them to a local base. The Indiana County T4T Committee helps to advertise the event and runs the concessions stand to raise proceeds for additional tree donations. Troops from the local reserve unit attend, and local government officials provide support.
After the holidays, the Mytrysaks receive numerous thank you notes from military families.
“It means so much to us,” Brandon said. “After all that hard work, it feels good to know we were able to brighten someone’s Christmastime.”
Mytrysak Family Trees was selected for the 2024 Christmas SPIRIT Award, given annually
by the Christmas Spirit Foundation to thank recipients for their support of the T4T program.
This year’s T4T event will be held on Dec 7, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Anyone unable to attend who would like to donate a tree is encouraged to call Mytrysak Family Tree Farms at 724-463-0570 or email mytrysakfamilytrees@gmail.com.
