By NewsLine Staff
mail@floridanewsline.com
A “growing” event, the Mandarin Community Club is proud to host a tree giveaway for the fourth year in a row. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 29 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the club, located at 12447 Mandarin Road. This is the club’s way of continuing to replant and keep Mandarin “green.” More than 500 free trees are available to residents living in the 32223, 32257 and 32258 zip codes. In the interest of fairness, only one tree may be given to each household.
This initiative was started by the Mandarin Community Club following the staggering tree losses incurred during the two years of Hurricanes Matthew and Irma. The club pledged to fund a replanting effort by giving away trees to its members and the community. This event has been so well received that it has continued into a fourth year and the club has committed to make this an annual event.
In addition to the giveaway of more than 500 trees of six different species, there will be food trucks offering breakfast items as the morning begins and lunch items later — and Nitrogen Creamery to keep the kids cool and happy. And this year there will be fun children’s activities as well.
Vendors on site will include Zack’s local honey sales, Plants with a Purpose, Thompson Ace Hardware, Local Flower Co and others. Free mulch will be available, but the supply is limited.
Speakers inside the club building include Larry Figart from the Duval County Extension Office on best tree planting and tree care practices, a talk on how to attract and nurture garden-friendly butterflies and a local beekeeper on the critical role of bees and the production of local honey.
The Mandarin Community Club will host a special table with membership information and club retail merchandise, including the now popular “Mandarin” baseball caps. A special prize drawing for a firepit courtesy of Thompson Ace Hardware will tempt everyone to purchase tickets.
Volunteers are encouraged, needed and welcome. Call the Club at 268-1622 or email mandarincommunityclub@gmail.com for more information.
Photo courtesy Mandarin Community Club
The fourth annual tree giveaway will be held on Sunday, Feb. 29 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
