Phillies, ARAMARK and PHS Team Up for Game-Changing Environmental Project
New ‘Home Runs for Trees’ initiative aims to help restore the region’s tree coverage
(3BL Media) May 2, 2012 - There’s a dire need for trees – and the Phillies, ARAMARK, and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society are teaming up to do something about it.
Earlier today “Phillies Home Run for Trees” was announced at Citizens Bank Park, a season-long program aimed at helping to restore the region’s depleted tree coverage. The initiative is part of PHS’ Plant One Million, an ambitious multi-state tree-planting campaign encompassing 13 counties in southeastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware.
In addition to educating fans about the need for trees and canopy restoration, the new program will increase the trees planted in the Greater Philadelphia area. For each home run hit by a Phillies player this season, PHS and its partners will plant a tree in locations such as local parks, urban settings and watershed areas.
“This new partnership is a big win for the region,” said Drew Becher, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. “With every homer hit by the Phils, the landscape will get a little greener and our air and water a little cleaner. This tree-planting effort will have a major league impact on our environment.”
The Phillies and ARAMARK’s participation in the project aligns with its award-winning “Red Goes Green” program, which emphasizes the team’s leading role in environmental responsibility.
“We are proud to join our long-time partner ARAMARK and support PHS’ efforts to create a greener Greater Philadelphia region,” said David Montgomery, President, The Phillies.
The tree plantings are being made possible through the generous sponsorship of ARAMARK. ARAMARK partners with PHS to create memorable dining experiences for the annual Philadelphia International Flower Show and serves as Citizens Bank Park’s exclusive food and beverage partner.
”As a longtime partner of the Phillies and PHS, we are proud to join with them to support this tree-planting effort,” said Marc Bruno, President, ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment. “This project exemplifies our commitment to extending our partnership beyond the playing field and flower show floor to giving back to the community and environment, both of which mean a great deal to us.”
For more information on the program, or to learn how to get help plant trees in the area, please visit www.phillies.com/redgoesgreen.
ABOUT PLANT ONE MILLION
Plant One Million is a partnership led by PHS to plant one million trees throughout 13 counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and Delaware. The goal is to restore the “tree canopy cover”—the area of land shaded by trees—in the Greater Philadelphia Region to 30 percent. Since Plant One Million was launched a year ago, more than 150,000 new trees have been planted.
Trees clean the air, reduce flooding, improve water quality in rivers and streams, lower energy costs, and raise property values. Each tree planted will help improve the quality of life in communities throughout the region. Learn more at www.plantonemillion.org.
ABOUT PHS
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a nonprofit organization founded in 1827, motivates and inspires people to improve the quality of life and build healthier communities through horticulture. Membership dues, donations and ticket sales from the Philadelphia International Flower Show support PHS greening initiatives such as Plant One Million.
ABOUT ARAMARK
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. The company is recognized as one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by the Ethisphere Institute, one of the "World's Most Admired Companies," by FORTUNE magazine and one of America's Largest Private Companies by both FORTUNE and Forbes magazines. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 250,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more at www.twitter.com/aramarknews.
CONTACTS:
Alan Jaffe, PHS, 215-988-8833, mobile 267-968-0859; ajaffe@pennhort.org
Stephanie Edwards, PHS, 215-988-8815, mobile 201-937-9612; sedwards@pennhort.org
Deb Rinaldi, Phillies, 215-218-5391, drinaldi@phillies.com
