PARKWAY PARTNERS SEMI-FINALIST WITH TOM’S OF MAINE

With funds, trees will be planted

Parkway Partners is one of 20 finalists for a $50,000 grant in the Tom’s of Maine 50 States for Good program. The Orleans Parish-based non-profit would use the proceeds for its tree-planting program if Parkway Partners receives the most votes atwww.50statesforgood.com.

Anyone can vote once a day, and the poll is open through Sept. 13.

“We feel honored to be selected as one of the best community-benefit programs in theUnited States,” said Jean Fahr, executive director of Parkway Partners. “Tom’s of Mainelearned about our ReLeaf New Orleans initiative, which is helping to replace the urban canopy we enjoyed prior to Hurricane Katrina. Since the program started, we have planted more than 9,000 trees in the city. If we are chosen for the $50,000 grant, we will focus on the eastern portion of New Orleans where a significan number of trees were destroyed.”

Tom’s of Maine is known for supporting sustainable efforts in communities nationwide.

About Parkway Partners

A partnership between the community and the city for 29 years, Parkway Partners works to improve and expand green spaces in New Orleans. With no government funding, the organization and active members have helped support the Department of Parks and Parkways in restoration of the urban canopy while educating and empowering citizen action Ongoing campaigns include ReLeaf New Orleans, Adopt-A-Neutral Ground, Save Our Trees, Community and Schoolyard Gardens, and Second Saturday Program. Parkway Partners achieved certification in 2008 from the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations, the first “green” organization to receive this distinction. For more information, visit http://www.parkwaypartnersnola.org/. All donations are tax-deductible.