REMINDER, Oct. 28, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) --
WHAT: COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING: Approximately 100 volunteers
from Palms Middle School, local Boy Scouts and Eagle
Scouts, Venice High School Students, members of the
Mar Vista Community Council and Westside Village Civic
Association and employees of Home Depot will join with
TreePeople for the first of two, possibly three tree
plantings. Bagels/donuts/pizza will be provided.
WHEN: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2005
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: PALMS MIDDLE SCHOOL in WESTSIDE VILLAGE
(On the North Side of Campus at Palms Blvd.)
MORE INFORMATION:
"On my daily walk I would see the kids outside Palms Middle School – the site seemed so barren and sad," said Lisa Cahill, Westside Village homeowner and leader of the October 29th tree planting effort on Palms Boulevard. "The kids would wait for their rides and it was hot and glaring with nothing but sidewalk and asphalt. And then one day I thought some trees would be so great."
Lisa called Jim Summers of TreePeople, the group that is organizing the effort through the City of Los Angeles' Environmental Affairs Department. "I thought it would take a year or two," Lisa recalled, "but within a few days Mariah MacNeil of TreePeople called and said that had a grant that they wanted to use for the project."
Soon the Westside Village Civic Association, the Mar Vista Community Council and the Palms Neighborhood Council signed on and helped out with small grants. But it was the generosity of Home Depot that really got the ball rolling. With a grant of $20,000, Home Depot ensured that the trees would not only be planted but maintained. The trees will be chosen from the City's approved tree list after taking into consideration the suggestions of residents of the Westside Village/Palms area.
Asked how often she plans to continue her efforts toward "greening L.A.," Lisa said. "I'd like to do a tree planting every year but it takes me a while to recover and make sure that the trees survive! Maybe in the next five years or so I can take on another big planting project." Her advice for others: "Get involved in your neighborhood association or community council and volunteer with TreePeople. There are incredible resources in our city and communities, but it takes getting to know people, understanding what is available, and a personal commitment to get it done."
It is certain her work will be enjoyed by the entire neighborhood for many years to come.