CONTINUING THE REDBUD TREE PROGRAM–While they will have to distribute the trees in a different way this year, Red Bud Masonic Lodge #427 is again sponsoring a redbud tree for every kindergarten student in the Red Bud area. Pictured are some of the Masons preparing the trees that they gave out to students last year.
This year was supposed to be the 11th year for the Red Bud Masonic Lodge #427’s redbud tree program; however, with the current school situation, there are several wrinkles with the program this year.
With this program, each year the Masons provide a free, two foot redbud tree for kindergarten students at six area schools: Red Bud Elementary School, St. John the Baptist Catholic School, St. John’s Lutheran School, Prairie du Rocher School, Trinity Lutheran School and Evansville Attendance Center. Over the years, the Masons have given away thousands of these trees to be planted throughout the area as part of Arbor Day celebration and to have more redbud trees planted in the Red Bud area.
However, with the stay-at-home order and e-learning being implemented by schools, it makes the logistics of handing out the trees a bit trickier. The trees were ordered in January, before the virus was even a thought. Once they shipped, the trees need to be distributed and planted as soon as possible.
For more, please see this week’s print edition.