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By JOYANNA LOVE / Senior Staff Writer 

American Cancer Society, Chilton County High School FFA and Sandra’s Nursery in Clanton have partnered to provide young trees to health care facilities.  

Kimberly Williams, a health systems manager for state and primary care systems with ACS, contacted Marlon Harton, faculty advisor for CCHS FFA, in hopes that the group may have some saplings that it could donate. 

While the school did not have any on hand, Harton went to Sandra’s Nursery to pick some out. The nursery decided to donate the trees when they heard what they were for.  

Harton said the FFA usually works with sawtooth oak saplings but do not keep any during the summer.  

The donation was coordinated by Williams in recognition of National Health Center Week.  

“The theme this year is ‘Rooted in Communities,’” Williams said. 

She works with each of the federally qualified health centers in Alabama, and wanted to be able to give the health systems a token of appreciation to the facilities on behalf of ACS.  

Williams picked up the 10 oak trees on Aug. 2 and will be distributing them next week. 

Harton said he was glad the CCHS FFA could be a part, saying the project was a “great fit” for the goals of FFA. 

“With our FFA, we are looking for ways that we can give to the community,” Williams said. 

Each sapling with have a tag with the following message attached — “To help provide a visual reminder of the impact you are making in your community, the American Cancer Society is honored to provide you with this sapling. We hope you will enjoy watching it grow on the grounds of your system; and, will allow you an opportunity to reflect on how the seeds you plant each day in patients’ minds will one day take ‘root’ and ultimately save lives – THANK YOU!”