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On Monday morning, teachers and dozens of students from Eleanor C. Emlen Elementary enthusiastically gathered in the school yard singing and dancing to the Pharrell Williams “Happy” song as the Phillie Phanatic warmed up the crowd.
Joining the celebration with purpose were Chestnut Hill Rotary. Phillies Ambassador, Scott Palmer, and officials from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). The event and tree donation all came about because Emlen’s third grade teacher, Heidi Fabian, applied for and won the Phillies Home Run for Trees Contest.
Emlen Elementary wins Phillies Home Run for Trees Contest. Selected photos courtesy of Heather Barry, Philadelphia Phillies.
Chestnut Hill Rotary volunteers Carol Bates, Dietrich Bilger, Denise Chapline, David Hawkings, Ngimbi Kuvuna, Christoper Ridenhour, and Maggie Stoeffel (who received a big kiss from the Phanatic) helped unload, plant, and water the trees.
Emlen Elementary, located in the Mt. Airy section of Northwest Philadelphia, is one of Chestnut Hill Rotary’s partner schools. Rotary volunteers regularly volunteer time, provide funding for projects, and donate books to students through the club’s Dictionary Project.
PHS, in partnership with Asplundh, has planted over 2,200 trees in Philadelphia with this program. Students also received a lesson from PHS on tree planting and caring.
Read more about the event at the MLB/Phillies website HERE.
