The newly formed Friends of Three Oaks (FOTO) plans to kick off their fundraising activities with a day of celebrating trees, which is a most appropriate event for a village with the name of "Three Oaks."

On Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Carver park (corner of Highway 12 and Elm Street) FOTO and C & A Arborists will host an Arbor Day celebration. Day-long activities include a tree-climbing demonstration and an educational presentation on tree and shrub care scheduled to take place around noon. There will also be a photo opportunity for the kids. Trees offered for a minimum donation of $10 will include white pine, tulip, juniper along with dogwood and butterfly bush. All proceeds will benefit the community. FOTO is a not-for-profit group which strives to support various organizations in the community and to make Three Oaks an even better place to be.

Other events for the day include planting trees in Timbertown Park to create a wind buffer for the playground, and planting more trees around the village. A village official may be on hand to officially dedicate the day as Three Oaks Arbor Day so it can be celebrated for generations to come.

Founding member Charlie Rizzo explained the group's plans for the Arbor Day fundraiser, "The goal of our first fundraiser is to support the library which is in need of significant roof repair. They are excited about getting this support because the roof is leaking, and currently sufficinet funds are not available to fix it."

"We also plan to give some of the money from this fundraiser to the Three oaks Little League," said Christian Siewert of C & A Arborists, adding that they plan to hold three fundraisers this year, including a puppet show during Cristmas at the Acorn Theater. Funds from the Christmas fundraiser are slated to benefit the Harbor Country Emergency Food Pantry.

"FOTO was formed to support the community of Three Oaks specifically, to lend help to any public facility or organization and projects that benefit the youth of Three Oaks," Rizzon explained. Three Oaks kids will be excited to hear about one of this group's long-term goals: "We hope to build a skate park in Three Oaks sometime next year," Greg Kerrigan added.

So any youn person who is interested in these types of projects is urged to participate, since it benefits their community and their well-being. FOTO is willing to help young people organize so they can raise funds for things that are meaningful to them.

So make sure you come out and support them at their premiere Arbor Day event, and if you want to join as a "Friend" of FOTO, you will have an opportunity to do so at the event as well.

If you have any questions, or are interested in membership or making donations, please call Beth Denton at
219-628-4322.