(04/27/09) - Project Evergreen is coming back
to Akron and The City of Akron is officially proclaiming the month of May to be
"Project EverGreen Month". May 1st marks the official start of the national
non-profit service organization's public education program in Akron to inspire citizens,
businesses and developers to increase the number of well-maintained green spaces
throughout Akron. This includes home lawns/landscapes, community spaces, commercial areas,
golf courses, sports fields and other green spaces.For the second year in a row, Akron
is a selected city for Project EverGreen's "EverGreen Zone" initiative. The
purpose of the EverGreen Zone program is to raise public awareness about the benefits of
expanding, preserving, and maintaining green spaces that positively impact climate change
and create countless economic, environmental and lifestyle benefits. Project EverGreen's
plan is to create a number of EverGreen Zones across the country in the next several
years. A second EverGreen Zone is starting in Milwaukee this year.
Project EverGreen volunteers are championing the city's green spaces at the Junior
League ShowHouse, Cherry Blossom Festival, River Day and other local events, where they
will pass out literature, seed packets and other promotional items. Project EverGreen
volunteers will place hundreds of yard signs and posters in public and private green
spaces all over Akron.
Additionally, from May 9 through May 16, any consumer or business will have the
opportunity to show support for Project EverGreen's latest initiative, "Buck It Up
for Military Families." "Buck It Up" was created as a fundraising program
to support the nationally recognized GreenCare for Troops program which provides free lawn
and landscape services to families whose major breadwinner is currently serving in active
duty. A single dollar (or $5 or $10) donation creates scholarships for military family
members seeking a career in the horticulture industry, increases the infrastructure to
better handle the 7,800 military families and 2,100 volunteers currently participating in
the program, as well as enhances the free lawn and landscape services currently provided.
For information about this program, please go to www.projectevergreen.com/gcft/buckitup.html.
Project EverGreen is also teaming up with the Akron Public School system for the second
annual Art of Green Spaces Competition. The competition's goal is to encourage students,
kindergarten through twelfth grade, to create visual art, vocal and instrumental music, as
well as dance and drama exhibits demonstrating why they believe green spaces are important
to Akron.
Winners of the youth art competition will have their work recognized at an awards
ceremony and displayed in prominent public locations. The contest is underway and the
deadline for entries is May 29, 2009. For more information about the Art of Green Spaces
Competition, please call Project EverGreen at 877-758-4835.
For more information about Project EverGreen visit www.projectevergreen.com/akron/.
About Project EverGreen
Headquartered in New Prague, Minn., Project EverGreen is a national non-profit service
organization representing green industry service providers, associations,
suppliers/distributors, media companies and other organizations. Project EverGreen's
mission is to preserve and enhance green space in our communities for today and future
generations.
Project EverGreen is committed to informing the American public about the positive
effects of well-maintained green spaces, including lawns and landscapes, sports turf, golf
courses and parks. We want to inspire you to get involved and get passionate about green
spaces!
For more information, visit www.projectevergreen.com.
About GreenCare for Troops
GreenCare for Troops is a nationwide outreach program coordinated by Project EverGreen
that connects local green industry professionals with men and women serving our country in
the armed forces away from home.
GreenCare is in the process of helping more than 2,100 volunteers provide free lawn and
landscape services for more than 7,800 military families nationwide. The cost to manage
the GreenCare for Troops Program is underwritten by Cub Cadet Commercial. To sign up or
volunteer, please visit http://projectevergreen.com/gcft/.
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High-resolution images are available upon request. Please contact Joan Williams at
402-437-6428 or joanw@swansonrussell.com.
Contact:
Joan Williams
402.437.6428
joanw@swansonrussell.com
Jacquie Mazziotta
330.688.0295
jmazziotta@projectevergreen.com
