The following piece was provided by Trees for Watertown:
On Saturday, June 8th, local residents gathered at Branch Line restaurant to support Trees for Watertown’s youth summer program, Teens for Trees (tfwteensfortrees.org).
Supporters enjoyed refreshments donated by Branch Line and coffee donated by Intelligentsia. They learned about the Teens for Trees program’s past successes and its goals for the 2019 summer.
For the past two years the program has provided over a dozen Watertown youth with opportunities to learn, work, and give back to the community. For some, this program is their first job, providing them with leadership skills in local environmental issues and teaching them how to advocate and care for the urban greenery around them.
This year the program will be hiring six to eight teens to care for trees through watering, pruning, and other basic maintenance. They’ll also be engaging with residents to teach them about the important role of trees in creating healthy environments.
“We’re thrilled for the continued support and enthusiasm shown by community leaders and local businesses,” said David Meshoulam, Teens for Trees Program Director.
This year’s fundraiser included raffle and auction items donated by local businesses including Molana’s Restaurant, Demo’s Restaurant, Vicki Lee’s Bakery, Mosesian Center for the Arts, Comic Stop, Red Leaf Cafe, American Cleaners, Farina’s, Central Rock, Russo’s, and Miss Maria’s School of Dance.
Program supporters on the shaded Branch Line patio also heard from Trees for Watertown President Libby Shaw about the program. “Trees not only provide us with important environmental benefits and make our neighborhoods beautiful, but they also bring people together and build community.”
She thanked Watertown citizens, Watertown Community Foundation, and local businesses, including Sasaki, Watertown Savings Bank, and Wilder Company, for their continuing support of the program.
Trees for Watertown is a wonderful organization, and thanks to David Meshoulam for getting Teens for Trees rolling. We need more trees for the future health of our world, and the more opportunities for community engagement the better. Thank YOU!