Service organization works to replenish campus trees and flowers
Ivy Brashear
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: News
Spring has sprung at Eastern. And Eastern service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega greeted the season with more than just happiness that the winter was over.
They greeted it with 100 newly planted trees.
Becky Stover, an occupational therapy major and member of the Alpha Phi Omega pledge class, said the group was looking for a way to give back to campus.
"There were trees down everywhere," said Lawryn Breckel, pledge class president and political science major. "We thought, 'Why not start over?'"
The group stood on Powell Corner and asked for donations for money to buy trees, requesting small $1 contributions. Even President Whitlock helped the fraternity by donating money to the cause.
The group raised over $300 just from standing on Powell Corner. The money was used to buy 100 white pine seedlings and 350 flowers from Lowe's.
The trees were planted beside the wood chip trail behind the Stratton Building. The flowers were planted around the Combs building.
Breckel said Facilities Services chose the location for the tree planting.
David Williams, associate director of Facilities Services, said the area behind Stratton was chosen because the trees Alpha Phi Omega wanted to plant would be suitable as a part of a designated natural area that is planted there.
The designated natural area, which is filled with plants and grasses that are native to Kentucky, was established in 2000 during Eastern's first Earth Days celebration.
Williams said he thought it would be a perfect place to add some trees that are native to Kentucky. He also said there just wasn't enough space for such a high number of trees around campus.
The seven-member pledge class of Alpha Phi Omega hopes to hang a banner somewhere on campus listing the names of all the people who donated a dollar or more to their project.
Pledge class vice president Tiffany Roberts said the banner would be a way to show the group's appreciation to those that made this project possible.
"We hope to have a plaque placed here someday to recognize our work," Roberts said. "But for now, we are trying to get a banner."
Williams said he was impressed with the group and their project.
"These kids are dedicated to service, and it's full-time for them," he said. "I'm very impressed with these fine young folks."
They greeted it with 100 newly planted trees.
Becky Stover, an occupational therapy major and member of the Alpha Phi Omega pledge class, said the group was looking for a way to give back to campus.
"There were trees down everywhere," said Lawryn Breckel, pledge class president and political science major. "We thought, 'Why not start over?'"
The group stood on Powell Corner and asked for donations for money to buy trees, requesting small $1 contributions. Even President Whitlock helped the fraternity by donating money to the cause.
The group raised over $300 just from standing on Powell Corner. The money was used to buy 100 white pine seedlings and 350 flowers from Lowe's.
The trees were planted beside the wood chip trail behind the Stratton Building. The flowers were planted around the Combs building.
Breckel said Facilities Services chose the location for the tree planting.
David Williams, associate director of Facilities Services, said the area behind Stratton was chosen because the trees Alpha Phi Omega wanted to plant would be suitable as a part of a designated natural area that is planted there.
The designated natural area, which is filled with plants and grasses that are native to Kentucky, was established in 2000 during Eastern's first Earth Days celebration.
Williams said he thought it would be a perfect place to add some trees that are native to Kentucky. He also said there just wasn't enough space for such a high number of trees around campus.
The seven-member pledge class of Alpha Phi Omega hopes to hang a banner somewhere on campus listing the names of all the people who donated a dollar or more to their project.
Pledge class vice president Tiffany Roberts said the banner would be a way to show the group's appreciation to those that made this project possible.
"We hope to have a plaque placed here someday to recognize our work," Roberts said. "But for now, we are trying to get a banner."
Williams said he was impressed with the group and their project.
"These kids are dedicated to service, and it's full-time for them," he said. "I'm very impressed with these fine young folks."
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Patrick Puckett
posted 4/23/09 @ 7:45 AM EST
I'm so proud of AZK Chapter's Kimberlie Bradshaw Jeffers pledge class!
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