Schnitzer employees volunteer at I-205 planting

GSI Planting: 02.20.10, I-205 — Schnitzer Steel employees pose for a planting group shot at the Feb. 20 I-205 planting. From left, the front row includes Kimberly Keller, Summer Ray, Krissy Larue, Jessica Mohler and Kathi Gibson; from left, the middle row includes Sue Drake, Melissa Halle and Monica Rodal; and in the back row is Jim Jakubiak. (Julia Kukar)

About 23 Schnitzer Steel employees enjoyed the fine weather last weekend and helped green the I-205 Multi-Use Path in Lents.

Friends of Trees and its Green Space Initiative program, in partnership with ODOT and Metro, are planting thousands of trees along the transportation corridor over the next three years.

Exactly 600 large trees have already been planted this season, 157 going into the ground Saturday. There are still two more I-205 plantings coming next month.

Some Schnitzer employee testimony:

“Our group really enjoyed the tree-planting experience,” said Julia Kukar, “…even those of us who had never volunteered before were able to jump right in and help.”

“It was also amazing to see how much of a difference the 157 trees that were planted over a four-hour period made to the appearance of the hillside, bike path and neighborhood.

“I would like to say how great and helpful the staff was,” said Krissy Larue. “They were very knowledgeable and passionate about what they do, and it really helped spread enthusiasm for the planting.”

For more information about group volunteering opportunities, visit our Volunteer Resources Web page.

–Toshio Suzuki