Praire Gardens in Champaign is sponsoring Trees for Troops this year for the first time until Sunday.

“As long as we’re invited, we’re going to keep participating,” said Susie Jennings, manager of Prairie Gardens.

The “Trees for Troops” weekend is part of a national effort by Prairie Gardens and Jeffrey Alans stores to collect trees to be shipped to troops or military families on bases in the U.S. and overseas.

Jennings said 40-60 trees have been collected so far and the store’s goal is 160-180.

Customers have the option of buying a tree to donate or making a cash donation that will go towards shipping the trees. Prairie Gardens and Jeffrey Alans donate five dollars to the Trees for Troops program for every tree purchased.

“One family purchased five trees,” said Jennings.

The trees for the program are Balsam Firs which cost $19.97 and are the only type of trees nationwide being used for the program.