Dear C3 alumni,
I hope you are all having good luck with your projects. I’ve been working with the Bureau of Forestry, Chicago Park District, Wrightwood Neighbors, C3, and Scott Waguespack – 32nd ward Alderman on enhancing the current Christmas tree mulching program.
This year’s tree mulching event takes place January 12, 2008 from 8:45am to 2pm. Please save this date. To accommodate residents who are unable to drop trees off during the scheduled time, the Park District will set up a Christmas tree corral drop off at each location the week prior to the event. I plan to hold an information meeting for all volunteers ahead of time too (date TBD).
My primary goals for the project include:
· Increasing the number of trees recycled by 25%
· Adding 2+ volunteers per park (25 parks located strategically around the city)
· Providing refreshments to city employees and volunteers on the day of the event
· Increasing resident awareness of the program and early drop off option
Volunteer opportunities include:
Prior to event
· Assisting with flyer/sign distribution
· Obtaining a truck to pick up trees (possible donation)
· Obtaining refreshments for volunteers and city employees (possible donation)
· Driving a truck around the city to pick up trees in alley and move to tree corral (week before)
Day of event
· Distribute refreshments to city employees and volunteers
· Greeting & assisting residents with moving trees from their car to mulching machines (Note: Mulching machines must be run by city employees for liability purposes)
· Distributing promotional items to residents (tree saplings, weatherization kits, blue bags, etc)
· Driving a truck around the city to pick up trees in alley and move to tree corral (day of event)
I will send out a follow up email after my next meeting with the Bureau of Forestry planned in early November. The City hosts a press release prior to the event to recognize volunteers and organizations that help with the event. I hope to be able to hang signs and distribute flyers promoting other C3 community events projects and volunteer opportunities on January 12 during the event at each park.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions about this project. If anyone has contacts at companies/organizations (Whole Foods, Jewel, Home Depot, schools, etc) that could benefit this project by advertising, providing additional volunteers, or donations, please email me at chohenstein@sbcglobal.net or call me at 773.805.8562.
Further details will follow in the next few weeks.
Thanks,
Chris Hohenstein
