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HARRISONBURG –More than 80 Rockingham County third-graders and the mayor of Harrisonburg were among those who gathered on the new RMH campus April 24 to celebrate Arbor Day with the planting of 33 donated trees.
The trees were donated by the Shenandoah Valley Builders Association and Fine Earth Landscaping as their 2009 Arbor Day Community Gift. The planting of the trees, valued at $13,000, launched RMH’s $1.7 million landscaping campaign, “Going & Growing Green.” The purpose of the campaign is to help beautify the new 254-acre campus and complete “green” projects, according to Sherrill Glanzer, RMH Foundation special gifts officer.
“Being good stewards of the land and our natural resources has been a priority for everyone throughout this development process,” said Glanzer. “In addition, research has found that viewing natural scenes or elements foster a better recovery for patients—who wouldn’t want that for our family, friends and neighbors?”
In addition to plantings, the landscaping campaign includes establishment of a healing garden, development of a rainwater collection system, creation of walking trails and bike paths, and projects to protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Glanzer said.
“A donation of this magnitude sets the stage and generates enthusiasm,” said Dennis Coffman, director of Facilities Planning and Development. “It’s great to get this type of community involvement. Our vision for the new hospital campus is to create a beautiful, park-like setting, and today’s gift is a fitting start.”
About 85 third-graders from Mountain View Elementary School helped to mulch the newly planted trees and learned about Virginia's Arbor Day. Botanist Dr. Norlyn Bodkin, professor emeritus of biology and designer of the JMU Arboretum, talked to the children about tree rings and how trees benefit the planet.
Chad Layman, owner of Fine Earth, explained to the children how to plant trees. Each child planted his or her Fraser Fir seedling to take home. “Fine Earth is excited to be a partner in this event,” Layman said. “We don’t just work here—we live here too. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to give back to our neighbors.”
Also as part of the day’s proceedings, Harrisonburg Mayor Kai Degner read an Arbor Day proclamation.
SVBA also distributed an additional 400 seedling trees to third graders at Elkton Elementary, John Wayland Elementary, Spotswood Elementary, Keister Elementary, and Waterman Elementary.
The new RMH facility, scheduled to open mid-2010, is on track to become the first U.S. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified hospital in Virginia. The Arbor Day educational partnership and other “Going & Growing Green” projects will give RMH credits toward achieving this goal.
For information on giving to the “Going & Growing Green” campaign, contact Sherrill Glanzer, RMH Foundation, (540) 564-7028, or visit RMHOnline.com and click on “Make a Gift.”
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