Westside Elementary in Baltimore City got a mini makeover last week as the school's Girl Scout troop and 12 volunteers from Enterprise Rent-a-Car teamed up to give the school grounds a refreshing mini-makeover.
The brainchild of Cathy Allen, who lives close to the school, the project spawned from her belief that "If children's minds are to bloom in school, why not have some blooming trees?"
Allen enlisted the help of Carlita Nelson, troop leader for the 53 elementary school Girl Scouts at Westside, the school's principal Brian Pluim and Baltimore City's "Tree Baltimore" team. Next she gathered community partners--Enterprise Rent-a-Car and the mayor's Office of Neighborhoods. The city contributed the trees, mulch, shovels and gloves.
Thanks to Allen's hardwork and that of the volunteers, 15 trees were planted and mulched in Phase I of this "Greening Beautification Initiative." Allen hopes to start a horticulture program at the school that will include field trips to the zoo and farm so that the children can see, learn about and study different plants.
Source: Cathy Allen
Writer: Walaika Haskins