'Tree-mendous' Effort by Homewood-Flossmoor Residents

—Submitted by Christmas Tree Recycling Program

Residents of Homewood-Flossmoor came together and demonstrated their community spirit and respect for our environment by collecting an estimated 700 Christmas trees and a whopping 1,650 pounds of holiday lights.

The Christmas Tree Recycling program:

• provides the community with convenient disposal of Christmas trees
• preserves landfill space
• offers your tree a new life
• gives vital nutrients back to nature
• provides mulch for Irons Oaks and other HF Parks
• models responsible conservation practices for our children

“Our collection far surpassed last year’s effort,” said program co-founder Tony Manos. “We believe that our success was due, in part, to our collective outreach efforts. Over the years many residents have mistakenly believed that when their tree was left at the curb it was recycled. It is not recycled but dumped into landfill as it’s the one natural product permitted by Illinois law. We have worked very hard to let residents know about this.”

Special thanks to the following volunteers and contributors:

• Maggie Bachus
• Danae Ehren
• Dessertitude
• Drew’s Coffee
• Eric Erickson
• HF Park District & Parks Department
• Home Depot
• Irons Oaks
• Jeff Fortman
• Mark Madison
• Carrie Malfeo
• Tony Manos
• Michele Medhurst
• Carol Molski
• Doug Molski
• Marcia Molski
• Roger Molski
• Kimberly Richardson
• Jackie Riffice
• Eric Steiner
• Chrissy Steiner
• James Steiner
• Kevin Steiner
• Sunnycrest Nurseries
• Tom Sullivan
• Tyler Thompson
• Cheryl Vargo
• Village of Flossmoor
• Village of Homewood
• Village of Olympia Fields
• Dave Ward

Thanks to the local churches including St. Joe’s, St. John’s, St. Lawrence O’Toole, Infant Jesus of Prague and Flossmoor Community Church for sharing our information with their congregants and to local businesses for displaying posters. Most importantly thank you to everyone who took the time and made the extra effort to recycle their trees and lights!

For additional information on our program visit our website at www.hfchristmastreerecycling.com Hope to see you next year!