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HomeStreet Bank Tree Challenge Supports Tree Planting in Puget Sound Region

Posted on: Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 15:00 CDT

HomeStreet Bank is launching the HomeStreet Bank Tree Challenge, a partnership with the Cascade Land Conservancy, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, Capitol Land Trust and Friends of the Hylebos, to plant trees in the Puget Sound region. During the two-month program, HomeStreet will match contributions made to its nonprofit partners dollar for dollar to help build and maintain a healthy tree canopy in the region.

The HomeStreet Bank Tree Challenge will match designated contributions made from September 15 to November 15, 2007, up to a total contribution of $30,000. The funds will be used to support each organization's individual tree planting programs.

"Trees are an important ingredient in making our cities and towns livable places," said Gene Duvernoy, President of the Cascade Land Conservancy. "As part of The Cascade Agenda, we want to conserve our forests and make our cities vibrant places to live, work and play. Our combined missions and HomeStreet's vision for the tree challenge program will have a lasting effect on our communities."

It generally requires four years, including preparing the land and follow-up care, to give each tree the best chance for survival. Each tree costs approximately $50, in addition to numerous hours of volunteer time, to shepherd it through the four-year process.

"There's a lot more to planting a tree than just putting a seedling in the ground," said Nancy Keith, executive director for Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. "Most people don't realize all that goes into a successful and robust tree planting project. First, planning for the right tree in the right place, then a significant investment of time and attention to keep it alive and healthy until it's ready to live on its own."

"Trees are a special part of the spirit of the Pacific Northwest and integral to what makes this region a great place to live," said Kathryn Williams, senior vice president and community relations director for HomeStreet Bank. "The HomeStreet Bank Tree Challenge is an opportunity to effect change through partner organizations devoted to planting new trees and taking care of the ones we have."

Contributions to the HomeStreet Tree Challenge must be made directly, by mail or online, to the Cascade Land Conservancy, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, Capitol Land Trust and Friends of the Hylebos. Additional information can be found at www.homestreet.com/trees.

Founded in 1921, family- and employee-owned HomeStreet Bank is one of the largest private banks in the Northwest. Headquartered in Seattle, the company has assets of $2.57 billion and a network of 30 branch and mortgage offices in the Northwest and Hawaii. HomeStreet Bank offers a full range of financial services, including business banking, business lending, consumer banking, mortgage lending, residential construction financing, income property financing and insurance services. HomeStreet Bank has two key areas of corporate support: housing and homes, and parks and open spaces. Each year, HomeStreet Bank contributes at least two percent of its pre-tax profits to organizations in its communities.

 Contact: Monica Roland (206) 587-5006 Email Contact Online Newsroom: www.homestreet.com/newsroom

SOURCE: HomeStreet Bank

Source: MARKET WIRE

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