2,012th tree in the '2,012 by 2012' tree planting initiative to be planted Thursday

INDIANAPOLIS – (October 4, 2011) Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) will be joined by the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee, and thousands of Eli Lilly volunteers and community partners, Thursday, October 6, as they plant the 2,012th tree in the 2,012 by 2012 initiative. The tree planted at Pogue’s Run Art and Nature Park on this Thursday will help two community organizations meet long-term goals.

Once in place, the Kentucky Coffeetree will be the 2,012th tree planted in the “2,012 by 2012” tree-planting initiative – a partnership between Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB) and the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee; it will also be the 30,000th tree planted by KIB in the NeighborWoods program, which has the goal of planting 100,000 trees in Indianapolis by 2017.

“Achieving this momentous goal, of planting 2,012 in the Near Eastside with the John H. Boner Community Center and the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee in time for the big game, is a true representation of a living legacy,” said David Forsell, president of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. “It is also a milestone in KIB’s effort to plant 100,000 trees in Indy, and help make our city a better place to live, work and play. We are grateful to, and congratulate our friends on the Near Eastside, and all of our corporate and community partners who have made this possible.”

A small program will be held to commemorate the occasion, speakers will include: John Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman, president and CEO of Lilly; Mark Miles, chairman, 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee; and David Forsell, president, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. All will be available for media interviews and photos.

WHEN: Thursday, October 6, 2011 | 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Pogues Run Art and Nature Park | 4900 E. 23rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46218 (Click here for parking directions)

In addition to the ceremonial tree planting, KIB and more than 8,000 Lilly will be working with 30 community organizations to complete projects that promote health and wellness throughout the near eastside, near westside, Lafayette Square area and Massachusetts Avenue. For more information, please visit www.kibi.org/lilly_day_of_service.

About Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization uniting people to build community and transform public spaces through aesthetic and environmental improvement. In 2010, KIB engaged nearly 40,000 volunteers on 500 community improvement projects. To learn more, please visit www.kibi.org.

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