Spring has officially sprung in Nassau County, and members of the Kiwanis Club of East Meadow gathered together at Veterans Memorial Park to plant a tree in honor of the United States of America’s 250th Anniversary.
Members of the club including current President Donna Goldstein, and former president, Joe Parisi, opened the tree-planting ceremony sharing their gratitude. Shortly after, the Barnum Woods K-Kids, a youth division of Kiwanis, lined up to share environmental facts about trees, the Earth and conservation.
Behind them stood a nearly 15-foot-tall Kwanzan Cherry tree, with its branches full and ready to bloom, with light pink petals shimmering in the sun. According to Goldstein, this tree was not picked out by coincidence.
“It’s very hearty and beautiful in this time of the year,” said Goldstein.
At the base of the tree, a bronze plaque read: “Arbor Tree Day, Dedicated to the 250th Anniversary of our country – Kiwanis Club of East Meadow, April 24, 2026”.
For Parisi, planting a tree with the Kiwanis Club kids was more than just honoring Arbor Day, it’s about teaching stewardship to the kids.
According to Parisi, the day was “trying to teach the kids about stewardship, taking care of the earth, and the importance of trees.”
“Kiwanis is about the kids, so we want, as part of teaching them leadership skills and other different things they do, we want them to understand that taking care of the Earth is just as important — that’s why we do this,” he said.
This is the third annual Arbor Day tree planting, with the previous trees being planted nearby.
Today, Arbor Day is observed by all 50 states and is typically celebrated on the last Friday of April. The holiday originated in 1872 in Nebraska by J. Sterling Morton and pioneering settlers who felt the lack of natural trees and a fuel source in the region.
150 years later, the holiday is celebrated across the nation. From school lessons to community plantings, Arbor Day serves as a reminder of our country’s diverse landscape that stretches across America. And it’s a hopeful nod to the future climate and preservation.
Since the beginning of the nation’s founding in 1776, children have been seen as the drivers of change, even through small acts like planting trees. Members of The Kiwanis Club hope events like this will leave a positive impact on the kids involved.
This is just one of the many community activities that the club coordinates, as they’ve hosted annual events such as a pancake breakfast at East Meadow High School.
Paula Yohay, a resident of East Meadow, attended the event with her two sons, Ethan, 9, and Riley, 11, who participated in the ceremony.
While her sons shared facts about climate change and conservation, she stood in the crowd among other parents, recording the moment. Her initial goal in joining Kiwanis was to teach her boys the importance of community service, she also hopes it aids in their personal development.
“We’re always willing to help our community,” she said, adding that she hopes the Kiwanis club will help “continue to blossom their leadership skills.”
The Kiwanis Club of East Meadow has many events lined up for the upcoming summer. On May 20, there will be the 43rd Annual Benefit Concert for the Salvation Army at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
For more information or participation inquiries, visit the Kiwanis’s website, EastMeadowKiwanis.org.
E.M. Kiwanis marks Arbor Day with tree planting
