Plant trees for MLK Jr. “Weekend of Service”

mlkBy Chelsea Schuyler

Hi folks! Are all your New Year’s resolutions in a row? Awesome, because Martin Luther King Jr. Day is coming up, so if “serve my community” is on your list, we’re here to provide you with some great opportunities to get a head start!

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'” –Martin Luther King Jr.

If ever there was a time to give back to your community, this is it. Michelle Obama highlighted the tradition of volunteering on Martin Luther King Jr. Day two years ago, saying, “Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are committing to renew America together, one community at a time.”

Why not join us, planting trees for the benefit of your community and the environment? It’s easy, fun, and the rewards last for as many years as a tree has rings! We’re partnering with Hands on Greater Portland and The United Way to make this year a blast. Last year we got a ton of volunteers and everybody had fun. Be a part of it!

The anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is Saturday, January 15, observed Monday, January 17. So instead of a Day of Service, we’re making it a Weekend of Service, with plantings on both days! We really need your help, especially Saturday:

  • Saturday, January 15 – Lents/Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Tree planting
    • Meet at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 4244 Southeast 91st Avenue, Portland, OR 97266 (map)
  • Saturday, January 15 – Northeast Vancouver Neighborhood Tree planting (Airport Green, Burnt Bridge Creek, Countryside Woods, Image, North Image, Parkside, Parkway East neighborhoods)
    • Meet at Evergreen High School, 14300 NE 18th Street, Vancouver, WA 98682 (map)

Is it just me, or is Monday the new Sunday for much of Portland? If Saturday is part of your work week, we have two additional Monday plantings just for you:

  • Monday, January 17 – Green Space Initiative planting – Forest Rim, Tualatin
    • Meet at 6945 SW Nyberg St Tualatin, OR 97062 (map)
  • Monday, January 17 – Green Space Initiative planting – I-205 Multi-Use Path
    • Meet at SE Mill St. and SE 95th Ave., Portland, OR (map)

Be sure to arrive at 8:45 a.m. so we can get you all checked in. If you bring your warm clothing and durable shoes, we’ll bring the coffee and munchables. We’ll have crew leaders ready to serve as your guides to tree planting success.

For more information about volunteering with us, just click the volunteer tab on our home page or click here for the basics. Under 18? Coming without your parent or guardian? Welcome! Just bring us a youth waiver form which you can download and print here.

Get your hands dirty for your community. Join Friends of Trees this Martin Luther King Jr weekend!

–Chelsea Schuyler is a contributing blogger for Friends of Trees.