Eddie Bauer and American Forests, the nation's leading nonprofit on the benefits of trees and forests, have reached their goal of raising $500,000 for the Memorial Tree Groves program.
The Memorial Groves being planted in New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia total more than 3,500 trees to honor the victims and heroes of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Funds raised at Eddie Bauer were coordinated through its “Add A Dollar, Plant a Tree” program in which customers were invited to add $1 or more to their in-store, catalog or online purchases.
“Eddie Bauer is honored to have been a part of creating life in memory of those who died on September 11. We thank our customers, associates and American Forests for allowing us to be a part of this important project that will benefit future generations through its environmental benefits and more importantly by serving as a place of remembrance and hope,” Eddie Bauer CEO Fabian Mansson said.
“We believe there is no better tribute to the heroes of 9-11 than to make our world greener in their honor,” said Deborah Gangloff, American Forests' executive director. “We were pleased to have Eddie Bauer partner with us in this significant effort.”
The first New York Memorial Tree was planted last year during September 11 ceremonies at Yankee Stadium's Monument Park. Memorial Groves have been planted in Bronx River Park, Inwood Hill Park in New York City. In Arlington County, Virginia, home of the Pentagon, 184 Memorial Trees were planted at fire stations, schools, and libraries. An additional 184 trees will be planted in a Memorial Grove in Washington, DC. American Forests is also working in Pennsylvania to plant a 40-tree Memorial Grove at the Somerset County Firefighters Regional Training Facility.
