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Members of Modern Woodmen of America camps and youth service clubs in the Tulsa area have committed to assist in the recently announced "Tulsa ReGreen" project. Members will plant trees as part of the fraternal financial services organization's Plant A Tree Program.

Tulsa, known as Tree City, suffered devastating damage to its neighborhoods following record ice storms in December. After working to restore power and clean up debris, the City of Tulsa announced a plan to get the city green again. The goal is to plant 20,000 trees in Tulsa by 2010.

Through the Plant A Tree Program and with the help of its members, Modern Woodmen aims to plant thousands of trees across the United States this year. More than 20 camps and 40 youth clubs are active in the Tulsa area. Modern Woodmen's home office provides funds for these groups to purchase and plant trees in the community. All Modern Woodmen members are also eligible to receive a free tree seedling each year.

"It breaks my heart to see what's happened in Oklahoma," says local Modern Woodmen Representative Emily Harris. Harris sponsors 19 youth clubs and four camps in the Tulsa area. "The community has been devastated. It's wonderful that our members are able to help in some way."

Introduced in 2004, the Plant A Tree Program offers Modern Woodmen members the opportunity to beautify their communities by planting trees. The name Modern Woodmen honors the pioneer woodmen who cleared forests to build homes and secure futures for their families. Modern Woodmen offers financial services to help clear away members' financial burdens. And today planting trees is an important way to create a secure future for families, communities and the environment. In 2007 alone, more than 21,000 trees were planted through the Plant A Tree Program

"The Plant A Tree Program is something we already do nationwide," says John G. Hurst, Modern Woodmen regional director. "This is a perfect way to connect a great program to a community in need."

Harris agrees. "This is what Modern Woodmen is all about," she says. "We support the communities that we serve."

Founded in 1883 as a fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen of America celebrates 125 years of serving members and their communities. The organization offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.