Submitted by Dr. Michael Hart
On Friday afternoon June 8, 2018 at exactly 4 p.m., volunteers started planting trees on Dudley Court, Westfield, New Jersey. By 4:18 p.m. they had planted all 25 trees, faster than one tree per minute, proving that “many hands make light work”. 33 people from several different community groups helped hands-on with the project, making it a true community effort to provide trees that clean the air and beautify the town.
The Rotary Club of Westfield brought together other community groups to plant the trees as part of an international initiative. The Tree Planting Project is an official program of Rotary International (RI) this year. RI President Ian Riseley has challenged every one of the 33,000 Rotary Clubs in 172 countries of the world to plant one tree per member. This means that 1.2 million Rotarians will be planting 1.2 million trees this year.
The project was funded by sources secured by PDG Michael Hart’s grant proposals. The Westfield Foundation gave $2,000, the Rotary Club of Westfield Foundation grants committee donated $2,210, and the Rotary International District 7510 grant was another $1,000.
The 14 attendees from the Rotary Club were Marta Alexandre, Jayson Astel, Chris Beck, Sherry Cronin, Maria Fuentes, Deidre Gelinne, Michael Hart, Nancy Jackson, Joe Mindak, Mary Ellen O’Boyle, Phil Richardson, Chung Shih, Warren Rorden, and Blake Width.
The High School Interact Service Club was represented by Matt Doyle.
Boy Scout Troop 77 attendees were Will Arida, Alex Caiola, Spencer Linenberg, and Shaan Patel.
Neighbors helping were Dr. Nina O’Connell, Dr. Elizabeth Alger, Michael Saxon, and Cynthia Wolfe. Some of the neighbors made donations to the Rotary Club. One neighbor made her bathroom available, and another provided a cooler of ice with water bottles. One father dropping off his Boy Scout picked up a shovel and helped- dentist Dr. Ken Arida.
Westfield Township Forestry Supervisor Rob Kosciolek of the Department of Public Works had his men helping and had all the heavy equipment and trucks in place necessary for a smooth operation. The Rotary Club commends their organization and professionalism.
The Rotary plans to have a second tree planting over the summer at Jefferson School in Westfield. Volunteers are welcome. The Rotary Club meets the first three Tuesdays of the month (but not July 3rd) on the second floor of the Westfield Y, at 12:15 for lunch. Guests are always welcome. Contact Dr. Michael Hart drmhart@yahoo.com for information.
(above) Dr. D. Michael Hart planting the first tree.
(above, l-r) Rotarians Dr. D. Michael Hart, Maria Fuentes, Chris Beck, Marta Alexandre, and high school Interact Club member Matt Doyle.
(above) Dudley Court before the tree plantings.
(above) Dudley Court after the tree plantings.
(above, l-r) Township Forestry Supervisor Rob Kosciolek, Mayor Shelly Brindle, Dr. D Michael Hart, and Rotary Club President Phil Salerno.
(above) “Many helping hands make light work” as the Rotary Club of Westfield was joined by volunteers from other organizations and the community to plant trees along Dudley Court. Pictured are some of the 33 community volunteers, including Boy Scouts and neighbors.
