The event, sponsored by the Paperboard Packaging Council, also celebrated Earth Day.
Paperboard Packaging Council executives Brian Chaisson, director of industry benchmarking, President Ben Markens and Vice President Lou Kornet prepare the ground for planting a magnolia tree during the "Trees Into Cartons, Cartons Into Trees" program at the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Center in Springfield. SPRINGFIELD — A group of 50 afterschool program students, parents, community leaders, business owners, staff from the Springfield-based Paperboard Packaging Council, a state representative and teachers at Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Center planted a white magnolia tree, sang songs and danced, in a recent event that celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day.
Prior to the tree planting, and as part of the council's "Trees Into Cartons, Cartons Into Trees" program to highlight the renewability and recyclability of paper, Jennie Markens visited the center to remind the students about the benefits of recycling and why trees are important to the environment.
"It was an honor to meet the children who benefit from the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Center's mission of empowerment, and explain to them why it is so important for us all to be ecological minders of our community," said Markens, the council's director of the New Generation Leaders.
The April 26 ceremony started with sixth-grader Marques Henry and third-grader Mi'kel Greene presenting a history of the magnolia tree, after which state Rep. Benjamin Swan, D-Springfield, spoke to the children about their important role both within their community and across the globe.
State Rep. Benjamin Swan speaks during the "Trees Into Cartons, Cartons Into Trees" program at the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Center in Springfield. The children were presented tree saplings from city forester Ed Casey, who described his fondness for Arbor Day and offered some pointers on tree planting.
The children then performed their signature line dance, before marching to the front of the building singing about the significance and beauty of tree. The tree was then planted, with the children's assistance.
"After landscaping for the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Center in the fall, we were thrilled to add a flowering tree to their grounds," said Ben Markens, council president. "We especially enjoyed the opportunity to introduce the students to the importance of trees, the renewability of paper, and the value of recycling."