Basketball game benefits tree planting program

By Mary Ann Wordell

    The Fall River Street Tree Planting Program got a big boost Nov. 19, when members of the Fall River City Council, Mayor's Office, School Committee, Government Center employees, as well as volunteers from the YMCA and Charlton Memorial Hospital operating room came together at the Thomas Chew Memorial Boys and Girls Club for a benefit basketball game.  "Coach" Leo Pelletier and City Councilors Tom Kozak, Brad Kilby and Joe Camara, as well as Christian McCloskey, Ray White and Margo Green racked up a close but impressive victory over the combined efforts of School Committee members Kevin Aguiar and Mark Costa and the Charlton O.R. staff of Jamie Travassos, Jean Aubin, Kyle Motta, Conrad Lighter and Scott Lane from the YMCA.  B.J. McDonald and John Anderson generously volunteered their time as referees.

    A total of $1,160 was raised to pay for trees as part of the grant program for neighborhood tree planting along city streets.  This past year, trees were planted on Valentine, Frost and Stetson Streets as well as New Boston Road.  In addition, tree stewards and volunteers from the Fall River Street Tree Planting Program assisted with the planting of 20 trees at Pulaski Park, pruned city trees on Eastern and Highland Avenues and assisted with Memorial Tree Plantings at Kennedy Park and Heritage State Park.  Through the efforts of the Tree Committee a free Tree Steward Training program was offered to the citizens of Fall River with 28 residents completing that course.

    One additional Tree Steward course will be held as a one-day event on April 29th from 8 to 4:30 pm at Bristol Community College.  For more information, go to www.fallrivertrees.org, or call (508) 679-8887.

    Awards were presented to Jim and Carolyn O'Brien and Paul and Rhoda Lindo to recognize members of the Tree Committee who have demonstrated great personal efforts to promote, protect and enhance Fall River's urban forest.  Eric Poulin, project manager for the City of Fall River and fostering education of the benefits that trees bring to a community.

The Fall River Spirit, Fall River, MA

Thursday, January 5, 2006