Sponsors needed by Dec. 15 for tree program

Published December 11th, 2007

by John Johnston
Managing Editor

Boca Raton fourth graders were among the more than 4,700 students statewide who rolled up sleeves and planted a tree in January 2007. Those kids became members of Fourth Grade Foresters of Florida.

The project goal was to help revitalize what used to be an American observation icon -- observation of Arbor Day in America’s schools. Working again toward that goal saw schools, businesses and citizens of many communities join to send each fourth grader home with a tree to plant and for which to care.

The same project is underway in Boca Raton this year on January 18 and the deadline for registration is Dec. 15.

The project was created to provide a simple and inexpensive way for any individual, business or organization with the opportunity to sponsor the 4th Grade students at an elementary school in their community.

There is absolutely no cost to the students, the teachers, the schools or the school district. Sponsors pay $1.59 per student for individually packaged 12”-18” evergreen tree seedlings sealed in polybags, and that will be sent to the schools. Each package will include information about Florida’s Arbor Day, planting and care instructions, and the name of the sponsor.

For more information on how to sponsor fourth graders in your community, call Sarah Henne at 1-866-390-1428 or email her at sehenne@neb.rr.com.

Now in the era of global warming and air pollution, tree planting is even more important than ever says Henne. “Trees take carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere to help reduce warming and clean the air we breathe. Planting trees is a simple, inexpensive and easy way to address the problem.”

Workers with disabilities package each tree. The trees are packaged in workshops that employ adults with disabilities through the Free Trees and Plants project.

Started in February, 2004, the www.freetreesandplants.com project obtains from growers and nurseries some of the millions of unsold plants that are destroyed each year, hires workers with disabilities to package them and then sends the plants to anyone who orders them at www.freetreesandplants.com. Consumers simply pay for processing and shipping costs.