Local Faith Leaders Gather for Tree Planting

By: Keep Indianapolis Beautiful

For the last decade, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been touted as Giving Tuesday, a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. But for Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, it’s Giving Treesday.

On Tuesday, November 28, we partnered with the Center for Interfaith Cooperation to host “Giving Treesday” at Lutheran Child and Family Services. As part of the Giving Tuesday movement, the gathering provided an intentional space for faith-based communities and local residents to connect, reflect, and take lasting action by adding to the urban tree canopy. 

Prior to the tree planting, representatives provided reflections on the importance of taking care of our planet, both locally and globally, from the perspective of their respective faiths. The event included remarks from

• Center for Interfaith Cooperation Executive Director Charlie Wiles
• Imam Ahmed Alamine of the Indianapolis Muslim Community Association
• Rabbi Jordana Chernow-Reader of the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation
• Father Rick Ginther of the Catholic Archdiocese Office of Ecumenism & Interreligious Affairs
• Susmita Singh of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh.

“Center for Interfaith Cooperation is enthusiastic to partner with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful on an interfaith tree planting to help heal our earth and our shared humanity,” said Charlie Wiles, Executive Director of Center for Interfaith Cooperation. “I believe that prayer can be a good intention that translates into action. Planting trees, together, demonstrates our determination for a better environment, cleaner air, shade, and beauty that will benefit future generations.”

“For almost 50 years, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful has worked with people from all walks of life to make the city a better place for everyone. Many faith traditions share a common moral obligation to care for the world around us, and we look forward to joining hands to help people and nature thrive,” said Jeremy Kranowitz, President and CEO of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.

The event marks the final tree planting of KIB’s project season. This year, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful has planted over 3,000 trees throughout Marion County. The trees planted during the event will have an impact for generations to come, including cleaner air, carbon mitigation, and stormwater retention. 

Center for Interfaith Cooperation provides safe environments, resources, and opportunities for service to increase religious literacy, build empathy between faiths, and facilitate interfaith encounters. Center for Interfaith Cooperation was created in 2011 out of the International Interfaith Initiative, founded by current Executive Director Charlie Wiles. Since its formation, CIC has built a robust and diverse network of partnerships with Central Indiana faith congregations, colleges & universities, and civic & community organizations.

Categories: Community Forestry, Engaged Citizens, KIB in the News, News & Features, Partners, Trees and Native Habitats, Volunteers