The Grand Junction Rotary Club donated a total of $10,000 worth of trees from Valley Grown Nursery to eight Mesa County School District 51 schools.

District 51 added $2,500 to bring the total value of the trees to $12,500.

A total of more than 60 trees were planted at Appleton, Chatfield, Loma, Mesa View and Rocky Mountain elementary schools as well as the Fruita eighth and ninth grade school, Orchard Mesa Middle School and Central High School. Rotary Club members, school staff and students joined in planting the trees.

“Rotary is investing in the future of our children with tree planting throughout the schools in our community,” said Brian Bray, a member of the Rotary Club leading the project. “Tree planting tends to be a gift for future generations and continues to reinforce the commitment our Rotary Club of Grand Junction has for their community.”

Susan Birdsey, principal at Orchard Mesa Middle School, said she’s grateful for the generosity of the community. “Receiving trees from the Rotary Club is just another example of ways in which our community supports our students,” Birdsey said. “These trees will be here for years to come and provide comfort and shade for thousands of young people. We thank the Rotary Club for keeping our students in their hearts.”