Hundreds of trees will be distributed for free to Beavercreek city and township residents on Saturday, October 23, thanks to a donation and national collaboration between State Farm and the Arbor Day Foundation.
More than 450 trees will be distributed from 9 to 11 a.m. at Siebenthaler’s, 2074 Beaver Valley Road, Beavercreek, Ohio.
Earlier this year, State Farm announced a $1 million pledge to the Arbor Day Foundation to support tree planting projects in areas impacted by natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, or other challenges like urban heat islands.
“Trees can help make communities more resilient in the face of extreme weather,” said Mary Kay Quist, State Farm’s Vice President of Agency Sales. “State Farm is committed to helping communities recover from disasters and manage future risks, and we are proud to support this tree giveaway in Beavercreek as part of that effort.”
“The Beavercreek area was devastated by the 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes, which destroyed many trees in our community,” said Zach Wike, Assistant Superintendent of the city’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Division. “While Beavercreek has made significant progress, the planting of these trees will help move our journey to a full recovery forward. We are appreciative of State Farm and the Arbor Day Foundation for choosing Beavercreek for this giveaway.”
People will have the option to choose from four tree varieties: Red Maple, Shumard Red Oak, Northern White Cedar, and Kentucky Coffeetree. The trees will be in seven-gallon containers and approximately four to eight feet tall. Residents should bring a vehicle large enough to safely haul the tree/trees home. This distribution is first come, first served. There is a limit of two trees per household and the trees do not come with a warranty.
This distribution is being coordinated with the help of Beavercreek Township, Rotary Club of Beavercreek, Beaver Creek Wetlands Association, and Siebenthaler’s.
Residents who receive a tree will also receive planting and maintenance tips from the City of Beavercreek’s Tree Advisory Board.
State Farm recently introduced the “Good Neighbors. Better World.” initiative, which connects social responsibility and environmental sustainability as core aspects of doing business. This outlook is explored in the company’s first Environmental, Social and Governance report, released in March of this year.