Published March 23, 2012 By MEGAN SIKKEL
Dozens of volunteers gathered at Francisco"Pancho" Medrano Middle School on Friday to plant 120 trees around the northwest Dallas school.
The event was part of the Dallas Mavericks' "Trees for Threes" program, which sponsors the planting of a tree for every three-pointer the team scores at a home game.
"This year, we're planting 267 trees," said Amol Rana, the Mavericks' corporate sponsorship activation manager. "That's what we're estimating how many threes we're going to make. We just believe that it's our job as a public entity to help educate people about the importance of trees and sustainability."
This is the second year the Mavericks have partnered with Aborilogical Services, Inc. to plant trees in Dallas. Last year they planted 55 trees in Oak Lawn's Reverchon Park as part of "Trees for Wins."
"This year, we wanted to do something for the kids," said Steve Houser, president of Arborilogical Services and supervisor of the event.
More than 80 people helped plant live oaks, red oaks and chinquapin oaks around the school on Brockbank Drive. Volunteers included employees from PricewaterhouseCoopers and Dallas residents from various park organizations.
Next Friday, they will be planting trees at a few other area schools, continuing towards their goal of 267 trees, Houser said.
"We're starting to green up our schools as well as our parks," he said, "and we're thrilled to be a part of it."