Green Newton Raises Money To Plant Trees For Lives Lost To Covid

NEWTON, MA — Around September, Newton resident Elizabeth Sockwell,22, was feeling hopeless and upset about the growing number of lives that had been lost to the disease caused by the coronavirus and the magnitude of that loss.

There had been some efforts to commemorate those lives, but Sockwell wanted to do something locally and make a difference.

"Trees are really beautiful," Sockwell said. Perhaps, she thought, she could help raise money to buy and plant trees throughout the city to honor Newton lives lost to the coronavirus. " Trees grow, and they are a living memorial rather than something that could fade."

She reached out to Green Newton's president and put the idea to her. The nonprofit already works to help green the city, so when Green Newton President Marcia Cooper heard the idea she was in.

In 1970, Newton had 40,000 trees, but that number has dwindled to about half that amount at around 20,000 trees in recent years, according to Yoshi Futi, a Newton South Student, who is part of Green Newton's youth leadership team, which is spearheading the project.

After months of planning, working with the city forester, and working out details, the group launched a donation page on its website.

The project is called "Capture Carbon Commemorate COVID-19." As each tree costs roughly $150, they hoped to raise about $12,000 by the end of the month.

"People have been very responsive and generous," Sockwell said.

The group has already raised some $10,159, or about 60 trees. As of right now, about 170 people in Newton have lost their lives because of complications with the virus, and there will likely be more to come.

"To plant 170 trees is ambitious, it would cost about $25,000, but it can be done with the help of enthusiastic volunteers and the forester Marc Welch, whose advice will be critical in bringing this to life," Futi said.

In the end, said Sockwell, the number of trees they end up planting depends on how much support the group gets in the form of monetary donations and volunteers they get to eventually help plant.

"We're really hoping to just raise as much as we can and spread this message of hope and honor those lives with something beautiful and sustainable," she said. "If it grows larger than intended then that's amazing."

Sometime this spring the group will call for volunteers from the community to help plant the trees, and will create a map showing where all the donated trees are planted. The city's forester has ideas, and they've reached out to Boston College's forester who has said they would plant at least 10 trees.

"We want to organize and fundraise this winter, and then begin planting at the optimal time next Spring 2021, (late March, early April) not only so that we can honor victims of COVID-19, but also so that we can plant trees, watch them grow, and leave them for the next generation to enjoy while helping to offset carbon emissions," said Futi.

The group plans to hold its first fundraiser Jan. 31, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Chipotle on Needham Street. If you mention the "4C Tree fundraiser" when you purchase food between that time in person, then a third of the proceeds will go toward the project. You could also order online for pickup and enter promo code: WRGLVBK.

"I'm just really praying that this can be something that gives people hope," Sockwell said.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.