We are so thankful to everyone who has made an end-of-year donation to the NJ Tree Foundation. Your generosity, along with the Jersey Giveback Guide (a project of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation), has helped us raise much-needed funding to positively impact lives, communities, and the environment through tree planting. Royden Street in Camden is a perfect example of this.
The NJ Tree Foundation partnered with the residents of Royden Street to plant trees in 2004. But trees were only the beginning of a decade of change for this street that, like much of Camden, was plagued with crime and violence. The trees made Royden Street look pretty – and the residents liked that. So they started picking up trash. They planted flowers in their tree pits and
made window boxes, too. They hung colorful flags. They decorated their trees with lights that turn on every night– as you can see in the photo – and bought benches so they can enjoy their beautiful street. The residents of Royden Street even started their very own Block Supporter Program and have their own community information board. As the residents cared for and enjoyed their street the criminals went elsewhere.Today, when you walk down this block on Royden Street you feel a sense of community pride. You feel welcomed.You do not feel like you are in the middle of one of the most dangerous cities in the country. Royden Street is a nice place to live – with friendly neighbors who care about each other. The block completely changed, and it all started with a few flowering trees planted by neighbors.
There is still time to make an online tax-deductible donation or mail a check to the NJ Tree Foundation.Please give in 2014 to help us foster more long-term success stories in 2015.
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