Green Sunday produces a forest
The Jewish National Fund’s Green Sunday campaign has produced enough trees to create a forest…37,000 and still counting.
Youth from schools and groups manned the phones around the country to procure donations for the JNF’s tree projects.
Over 300 volunteers took to the phones at JNF NSW’s annual Green Sunday telethon on Sunday 9th February. Office space and phone lines were generously supplied by Meriton for the 21st consecutive year, with their offices in Sydney CBD transforming into JNF headquarters for the day. Our aim was to raise funds to plant 20,000 trees in the Negev – and we are now very close to that number.
Dan Springer
JNF Australia CEO, Dan Springer was thrilled with the success of the telethon He said: “Green Sunday captures the essence of JNF – a community based organisation, drawing on volunteers across all generations for the betterment of Israel, its environment and people. In doing so we not only strengthen bonds with our ancient homeland, but amongst ourselves, while ensuring a sustainable future for our children.”
Young volunteers flooded in from the schools including, Masada College, Moriah College, Reddam House School, Emmanuel School, Kesser TorahCollege , Yeshiva College and BJE students. Youth movement members from Bnei Akiva, Habonim, Betar, Netzer and Hineni also showed their support. JNF staff were impressed by their passion and dedication to the cause with some volunteers staying on for 3 shifts and making hundreds of calls.
The day was launched with a breakfast with communal leaders who all got the chance to get on the phones and ask people to plant trees. The annual telethon is led by Green Sunday Chair Peter Spira. Green Sundays were also held in Melbourne and Perth.
This year JNF was asking the community to plant trees to create a Green Belt north of Be’er Sheva where JNF aims to plant 200,000 trees. This will provide green recreational space for the residents of Be’er Sheva. It will also help with carbon fixation, erosion prevention, soil conservation and pollination services. The Green belt aims to create a balanced ecosystem where animals, plants and people can thrive.
Springer told J-Wire: “Although the results so far has been more than wonderful, there is still a lot of mopping up to and we will issue a further report next week. Melbourne and Perth also ran campaigns and so far we have reached more than 37,000 trees.”
If you missed a call from the JNF on Sunday you can still donate to Green Sunday and plant trees. Call the office on 9389 5466 or email [email protected].
Check the gallery below for photos from the Sydney campaign
Photos by Henry Benjamin
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