Today is the deadline to register for Earth Day event at Craft Memorial Library
Apr. 15—The Craft Memorial Library in Bluefield is giving Mercer County kids the opportunity to plant their own tree for Earth Day on April 22.
The library is partnering with Neighborhood Forest to distribute free trees as a way to participate in Earth Week.
For the past 15 years, the Neighborhood Forest has planted more than 130,000 trees with families, schools, libraries and youth. Nearly all of the trees being have been planted in residential and urban areas, so the Craft Memorial Library felt as though it was a perfect collaboration for the area, according to library Program Service Coordinator Suzette Sims.
Sims said 26 kids signed up for this year's event. She said the library's goal is to get plants in the hands of children.
"It's important for our community, many trees are getting cut down," Sims said. "Some kids don't have the opportunity to grow one. If you ever bought a tree, they're not free or cheap."
The library's event on April 22 will begin with an Earth Day story time for the children before handing out the trees, according to Sims.
The gardening program will be of assistance if families struggle to plant their trees when they receive them and will come with instructions.
"When we read about the program, we made sure they were right for the area. So that was super important," Sims said.
Monday, April 15, is the last day anyone can sign up for the event.
