KCCB, volunteers brave Saturday’s rain for Arbor Day planting

By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press

More than 40 volunteers came out early Saturday morning to continue planting shrubs and trees at the Copperas Cove Police Department as part of Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful’s Arbor Day project. 
KCCB held the first part of planting back in November 2020, where volunteers planted shrubs like Texas sage and salvia and crape myrtle trees in front of the police department. The second planting date was scheduled for May 1 but ended up being rescheduled to this Saturday due to inclement weather. 
It rained again this Saturday, but that didn’t stop 41 volunteers from getting to work and planting the remaining 28 shrubs and three trees. 
Volunteers from groups like the Five Hills Scholarship Pageant, the Mission Continues and city employees came out to make the work go faster. 
KCCB Executive Director Roxanne Flores-Achmad said that as volunteers arrived, they were given plants and tools and told to get started. 
The event was originally scheduled to start at 8 a.m., but nearly all of the planting was finished by 8:30 a.m. 
“We had already postponed this event, so we needed to get the plants in the ground,” Flores-Achmad said. “We didn’t have a huge turnout, but those that came out, we’re super appreciative because it was raining and they chose to come out in the rain instead of staying home.”
Saturday’s planting is a continuation of the beautification project of the police department, where a total of 100 shrubs and trees were planted along the front and sides of the building.  
“Our police department has been an awesome supporter of Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful and our events,” Flores-Achmad said. “Anytime we need something, they’re there for us, and so when they came to us for a need, we’re like, we will definitely come out and make a difference here. Anything that we can do to continue those partnerships, and just seeing their smiling faces, knowing that we’re making a difference for them- that’s all worthwhile, even in the rain.”
Lt. Kevin Miller said the police department is appreciative anytime members of the community come out. 
“The support that we get from our community is phenomenal, especially when they’re taking steps to help improve the police department,” Miller said. “It’s very humbling for us.”
Around 10 employees with the Police Department joined in and got their hands dirty, helping plant the different shrubs and trees, Miller added. 
The next KCCB event will be Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful Day on June 12, where members and volunteers will be doing various activities related to KCCB’s mission of beautifying the community.