Indio Collection Event A Tribute To Fallen Soldier, 9/11 Victims

INDIO, CA —Organizers of Saturday's 9/11 Sustainability Collection Event in Indio said they will be handing out trees to participants as a tribute to U.S. Marine Hunter Lopez, the Indio resident killed in last month's bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan, and the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington and Pennsylvania, on the 20th anniversary of that event.

The collection event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the Corporate Yard/Indio Water Authority, 83101 Avenue 45. Community members are invited to dispose of tires, oil filters from residents -but not businesses - and electronic waste, like: televisions, computers, computer monitors, cables and wires.

In return for disposing of these items, community members will receive small shade trees - acacia salicina, acacia shoestring or palo breas - from the city of Indio and Sun City Nursery. The trees are meant to be planted in the yard at home, providing shade and serving as a tribute.

"Planting these trees will eventually provide shade, a beautiful canopy around our city and a generational legacy in Hunter's honor," Indio Mayor Elaine Holmes said in a statement.
"In addition, it's a small way we can recognize the significance of the 20-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the many sacrifices made by our troops since that time."

The event on Sept. 11, is the first of two collection sustainability events to be held by the city of Indio in the coming weeks, another will take place on Nov. 6, also at the Corporate Yard/Indio Water Authority.

"We know folks want to do the right thing when they dispose of waste and other materials, but for that to happen, you have to provide some opportunity as well," said Sara Toyoda, environmental programs coordinator for the City of Indio. "These events allow us to be good partners with the community in waste management, which ultimately supports a vibrant, healthy city."