In collaboration with Curtis High School, the St. George Civic Association has planted a Heritage Oak sapling on the Curtis campus grounds. Dedicated to the greenery and beautification of Staten Island, the St. George Civic Association is a volunteer organization that plans tree plantings, cleanups, and environmental events that aim to improve the island. Along with Association members Tamer Mahmoud, John Kilcullen, and President Eileen Harrington, this most recent tree planting was done with the help of six student volunteers, as part of an effort to establish opportunities for students to take part in their community. The tree planting was also done as part of the city resolution to increase tree coverage from 22 percent to 35 percent, according to board member John Kilcullen.
The association is responsible for much of the foliage seen around the Island, among other things. “Some of our notable events have involved the various cleanups and beautification work that we have done, as well as the fixing of the sinkhole on Richmond Terrace that has existed for nearly two decades,” said Tamer Mahmoud, 2005 Curtis alum and the association member responsible for reaching out to young volunteers.
As co-chair of the School Partnerships Committee and a Staten Island native, Tamer feels that teenagers have a big role to play in the community. “I strongly believe that everyone has a role to play in society and teens can contribute just as much as anyone else,” Tamer explained. “Starting at a young age, teens can get to experience how the community comes together to address quality of life issues and see first hand how getting involved helps to make a difference,” he said.
The tree planting was just one example of the many volunteer activities that the St. George Civic Association plans to keep open to teenagers. “The goal in my personal opinion, is to bridge any gaps that exist between key stakeholders and bring the community together as one,” Tamer said. If interested lending a helping hand to your community, contact the St. George Civic Association through their website, or through their social medias.
