There’s something magical about bringing home a freshly cut Christmas tree: the smell, the lights and the perfectly placed ornaments. Unfortunately, some families never have the chance to experience these moments.

At her home in Wasilla, Alaska, Alex Utke is usually outside, updating her Jeep from two-to four-wheel drive or working on the seasoned snow machine – an heirloom in her boyfriend’s family. Or the dust might be settling behind her dirt bike as she heads into the woods surrounding her home.

“When I first started, I never dreamed of all this,” says Carol Nance, founder and CEO of Nance Industries. Nance Industries started in 1972 as a small carpet and rug company and has grown into a five-plant operation in Calhoun, Georgia, just north of Atlanta. It offers flooring and services to major home centers and retailers by manufacturing a variety of products including area rugs, carpet…

Nearly 350 million Christmas trees currently grow on U.S. farms, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Throughout the trees’ typical lifespan of eight to 12 years, it absorbs carbon dioxide, emits fresh oxygen, stabilizes soil, protects water supplies, and provides refuge for wildlife. After a Christmas tree is cut down, one to three seedlings are planted in its place. When…

In late 2017, The Home Depot’s Merchandising Execution Team (MET) distributed new tablets to supervisors. When the rollout was over, Ryan Nilsen, manager of business analytics, had 2,200 fully functional Samsung tablets in need of a new home.   Ryan connected with Communities In Schools, a nonprofit that helps at-risk students and their families gain access to needed resources,…

It’s never too late to add saving money and energy to your new year’s resolutions.

Last week, hundreds of thousands flocked to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to hear what will be the tech trends to watch for the next 365 days. According to data from Park Associates, 28 percent of U.S. consumers report high intentions to purchase a Smart Home device in 2019. At CES, it was clear that brands are responding with game-changing gadgets designed to create a…

Thanks to our associates, suppliers and customers, Fortune’s 2019 Most Admired Companies list ranks The Home Depot at #21 on the Top 50 list and #1 in the specialty retailer category.The company came in at #1 in categories including innovation, people management, social responsibility and quality of products and services. Get the background on what we’re doing:

In addition to the convenience-factor of incorporating Smart Home products into everyday life, these security-focused additions can also increase peace-of-mind for parents with kids home alone, singles living alone, or even adult children with elderly parents. Here are four ways to make your home smart and secure:

In the lower 48, most products get to The Home Depot stores from nearby distribution centers and trucks arrive at stores several times each week. But in Alaska, 100 percent of products sail in on a TOTE Maritime vessel.