Every season we meet new dedicated volunteers that make our plantings possible. We cannot express our gratitude enough to these hard-working groups and individuals who spend their time planting trees with us. This spring, the Newark Renaissance Trees Program worked together with over 200 volunteers to plant 112 trees. While all of our volunteers were spectacular, there were 2 groups that stuck out for their hard work and enthusiasm: La Casa de Don Pedro, and Whole Foods Milburn-Union.
La Casa de Don Pedro is an organization dedicated to community development in Newark. Their profound passion for making Newark a better place was immediately evident when they arrived at our plantings. Elsa Cipriani, La Casa’s Health Services Manager, described volunteering as an “opportunity to give back to our Newark community, beautifying public spaces, and also learning about community plantings.” La Casa brought a group of lively volunteers to three of our plantings this spring.
Liz Dugan, a member of the Whole Foods Market Green Mission Team, described the experience with the Tree Foundation as a “perfect fit.” The Whole Foods team came out to volunteer and enhance the community; they enjoyed the experience so much they came back to another planting. Their entire group, reaching upwards of 10 volunteers, arrived with energy, eager to learn and work. Another Green mission member, Le’Nisha Rogers stated, “We really felt involved and that we weren’t just planting trees, but we were showing those around us that by planting just one tree, we can make a difference.”
Thank you again to all of our spectacular Spring 2013 volunteers, we hope to see you again in the fall!