The Christokumar Family waters a newly planted Sugar Maple in New Ardmore Park

For Christokumar Manoharasingh and Deepa Nancy Jeyapaul and their children Boanerges and Asenka, watering a tree in New Ardmore Park is an effort that involves all members of the family. Mom fills the water bottles at home, and Dad drives the children to the park to water their adopted tree. In 2010 and 2011, they watered a Swamp White Oak. This year, their third year as tree adopters, they are watering a Sugar Maple.  Asenka, a student in the 3rd grade at Russell Elementary School, indicated that she “likes helping the earth.” Boanerges, a 7th grader at Paxon Hollow Middle School, said that along with bottles of water, he takes a basketball to the park. “It’s an opportunity to get to the park to shoot baskets.”

Christokumar and Deepa, who immigrated to the United States from southern India in 1999, both want their children to care about others. They view this volunteer activity as one way to instill that value. Christokumar also explained that trees are important to a healthy environment. “I wish someone were doing something like this in India. India needs more trees.”

The Christokumar Family, from left to right: Deepa Nancy Jeyapaul, Asenka, Boanerges, and Christokumar Manoharasingh