BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—Everyday in America each man, woman and child generates nearly four pounds of trash. That’s more than one trillion pounds of solid waste or 365 trillion pounds each year. In an effort to teach kids about the power of environmental education in their own communities, Doubletree Hotels has announced its third-year commitment with The National Arbor Day Foundation as a continuation of the brand’s successful Teaching Kids to CARE program. This spring, more than 10,000 first through fifth grade students in 150 communities across North America are expected to participate in activities and events that empower a new generation to celebrate the earth and its natural resources.
Through June, students will work hand in hand with their teachers and Doubletree hotel volunteers to turn collected trash into artistic treasures, discovering and implementing the three environmental Rs (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle) and planting more than 10,000 seedling trees through interactive projects in their own communities.
Since 2002, Teaching Kids to CARE has been a community-based outreach initiative that has connected Doubletree hotels with local elementary schools and youth groups to educate children about making conscious decisions, such as caring for their community and the environment.
“The Teaching Kids to CARE community outreach program is a natural extension of Doubletree’s CARE philosophy and a perfect vehicle to educate children about the proper way to care for the environment,” says Dave Horton, senior vice president, brand management for Doubletree. “Children can make a powerful difference in the world when they ‘think globally’ and ‘act locally.’”
Doubletree Hotels, with help from The National Arbor Day Foundation, is developing and providing lesson plans and resources to participating schools to teach children about the importance of caring for the environment and simple ways they can show they care every day. As part of the lesson plans, the students will create “Litter Critters,” a representation of animals in the world negatively impacted by litter that can be formed together from various household waste items. From displays in classrooms to critter habitats at Doubletree properties, each creation will become an environmental show and tell for both the classroom and the community.
After completing this first lesson, each participating class will work with their local Doubletree Hotel in coordinating a Great Community Tree Celebration. Instead of throwing away their used milk cartons from a celebration that includes the brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookies, students will be empowered to use the power of the 3Rs to reduce waste by recycling and reusing their milk cartons to create one of 10,000 tree planters. Each child will care for and nurture their seedlings, watch them grow, and prepare them for a new life in schoolyards, forests and neighborhoods across the country.
“Doubletree has played a pivotal role in educating children about caring for their community and understanding the importance of a clean and healthy environment,” says Kevin Sander, corporate marketing director for the National Arbor Day Foundation. “A whole new generation of children will truly understand their important role in enhancing and improving the sustainability of our earth’s resources for years to come.”
About Arbor Day
Arbor Day began in Nebraska on April 10, 1872, when the State Board of Agriculture accepted a resolution from pioneer J. Sterling Morton “to set aside a day to plant trees, both forest and fruit.” More than one million trees were planted on the first Arbor Day, and Morton became known as the official founder. Shortly after this 1872 observance, other states passed legislation to observe Arbor Day each year with appropriate ceremonies. By 1920 more than 45 states and territorial possessions were celebrating Arbor Day. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states on the last Friday in April.
For more information, contact Thomas Wingham at Thomas_wingham@hilton.com.
