On May 12, 2018, over 100 employee volunteers and their families from HDIS (Home Delivery Incontinence Supplies Co.) of St. Louis, Missouri joined members of the Student Conservation Association (SCA) in a project to revitalize Kirkwood Park in Kirkwood, Missouri.
Two local Girl Scout troops also joined the group of volunteers for the restorative project at Kirkwood Park. During the day-long event, they cut back invasive cedar, laying wood chips on trails, weeding garden beds, and installing new plantings throughout the park.
“The Student Conservation Association stands for service, stewardship, and sustainability – and local community park conservation projects like this combine all three with equal doses of teamwork and fun,” said Student Conservation Association President and CEO Jaime Matyas.
“The efforts of HDIS employee volunteers and their families and Domtar’s sponsorship will help preserve this popular park for future generations to enjoy. SCA is delighted to partner with companies that want to aid our environment and our communities,” she continued.
A heavily-used park in the Kirkwood neighborhood, Kirkwood Park features an outdoor amphitheater, picnic sites, a playground, and softball fields. The park also provides year-round fishing in participation with the Missouri Department of Conservation trout program and annual community festivals.
“We’re so proud that our parent company, Domtar, selected HDIS to host a conservation project that will revitalize our beloved Kirkwood Park—a community space that is vital to our families and neighbors,” said Mark Nedvin, President of HDIS. “HDIS believes in caring for our customers, and the communities we serve—and the fact that our employees and families volunteered their Saturday to help preserve Kirkwood Park reflects their deep commitment.”
Since 2012, Domtar has joined forces with their nonprofit partner, the Student Conservation Association, to lead conservation and restoration projects that promote sustainability in the local communities where Domtar employees and their families live and work. SCA provides opportunities for young people to make a positive impact on the world around them by protecting, enhancing, and restoring national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and urban green spaces.
“Domtar is committed to investing in the local communities where it, and its member companies, operate,” said Domtar Corporate Responsibility Manager, Heather Alverson Stowe. “Our commitment to sustainability, one of the company’s core corporate giving pillars, takes many forms—from the products it makes to the local community service projects the employees support.”.
Photo of volunteers at Kirkwood Park courtesy of SCA.