APRIL 28, 2017, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A5 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM Forest Ridge students plant trees By DEREK WILEY Of the Keizertimes Forest Ridge Elementary School celebrated Earth Day last week by giving to Keizer Parks. Twenty-fi ve students in fi rst through fi fth grade plant- ed fi ve trees at Pfc. Ryan J. Hill Memorial Park at Keizer Sta- tion on Thursday, April 20. “Even though they’re young, they’re a still a help to us,” said Robert Johnson, one of two full-time employees at Keizer Parks. “They’re actually bigger than we were anticipat- ing, which is awesome. It’s go- ing to make a big difference in our parks this year.” The trees, 16 total, the rest to be planted at Willamette Manor, Meadows and Bob Newton parks, were given to Forest Ridge for the ser- vice project from North West Shade Trees and Mahonia Nursery at a big discount. “To purchase the trees it would have been thousands of dollars,” Kevin Pack, a par- ent volunteer, said. “We paid a very small percentage of that. They gave us a very big deal. They were very generous and very helpful.” The elementary school paid for the trees, signs and maintenance by participating in a coin drive. Forest Ridge started the project four years ago by planting trees at its school. The past two years, students went to Keizer Rapids Park. They planted four trees at the entrance of the Big Toy last spring. “It teaches them environ- mental stewardship and to take care of the resources that we have,” Pack said. “We’re partnering with the city of Keizer here so it teaches them civic responsibility and that we have more than just ourself and our own properties. It’s a bigger community.” KEIZERTIMES/Derek Wiley Forest Ridge Elementary School parent Kevin Pack helps students plant a tree at PFC Ryan J. Hill Memorial Park on Thursday, April 20. ABOVE: Twenty-fi ve students in fi rst through fi fth grade pose for a group photo after planting a total of fi ve trees at the park. We are Everything Except Overpriced Simple Cremation $795 Inexpensive Burial and Funeral Options Pre-Planning Available On-Site Crematory 4365 RIVER RD N, KEIZER 503.393.7037 Se habla español 2,899 Installed $ MITSUBISHI GL – 12,000 BTU NOW THROUGH MAY 31, 2017 Additional charge for over 15 feet. Customer supplies electrical. Cool Deals Hot Offers MAJESTIC ECHELON II ASK ABOUT ALSO QUALIFYING FOR $ DIRECT VENT GAS UP TO 550 FIREPLACE OREGON TAX CREDIT HEARTH & HOME LLC As an Energy Trust of Oregon trade ally, we can help you access cash incentives to make it easier to improve your home’s energy effi ciency. ASK ABOUT LAUNDRY PRO 3800 River Rd N #180 Keizer - 503.378.1125 - CCB #200318 ® WITH CERTIFIED SPACE TECH