Free trees given out at Spirit of '76

Over 1000 trees given out

Volunteers for Spire utility service help unload a truck full of free trees at Mt. Vernon's Spirit of '76 Park for distribution across southwest Missouri on Thursday, Oct. 2. Though only a few trees will stay in Mt. Vernon, over 1,000 trees will be given away, according to Elijah Belz, field operations coordinator with Forrest ReLeaf. The trees were given to many municipalities in the area, with representatives of Republic and Monett among the recipients in attendance.

Department of Conservation official Justin Holmes unloads saplings out of a truck bed to give to those in need of greenery in what was a joint operation between Forest ReLeaf, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and Spire. (Photos by Ethan Gray)