115,000 Trees Planted to Honor Healthcare Workers Lost to Pandemic

The One Heart Movement started an ambitious undertaking over the summer. They are planning on planting millions of trees in honor of those that lost their life to COVID-19. In a pledge to honor the many thousands of healthcare workers that died of the deadly disease, Cherokee Uniforms is proud to participate in the program. Already committing to planting 115,000 trees for all the healthcare heroes that gave their lives fighting the pandemic.

The project is designed to honor the sacrifice these brave men and women have made over the last year and a half. It’s also an important step in combating the effects of climate change.

Healing Through Planting

The global healthcare industry will never be the same again after the pandemic. Long hours, unsafe working conditions, and burnout have crippled the workforce as more providers seek refuge in other industries. In a report soon to be released by Scrubs Magazine, thousands of Healthcare workers have made plans to exit the industry following the pandemic. Too many providers watched their friends and colleagues pass away from a disease they had little control over. Their sacrifice goes beyond words.

That’s why the One Heart Movement is building a forest in honor of these remarkable individuals. It will be a living memory of all the providers that passed away from the virus.

The group announced their plans on World Environmental Day as part of the United Nation’s Trillion Tree Campaign. They started by planting 44,000 trees in Tanzania in honor of the 3,607+ healthcare providers that died in the U.S. as well as for the 40,000 children that have lost a parent to COVID-19.

The One Heart Movement is partnering with the public to plant one tree for every single person that has died of COVID-19. That number grows every day, currently hovering at just over 5 million people.

Founder and Executive Director Krista Kleiner said planting trees is one of the best ways to honor everyone that died during the pandemic.

“We felt compelled to create a unifying tribute to those who have lost their lives or loved ones to Covid-19. Planting trees symbolizes life and provides life-giving oxygen. It felt right to establish the One Heart Forest in memory of our healthcare workers and the children who have lost a parent to the virus and expand it in loving honor of all the lives we have lost globally, reminding us of our shared experience. By planting this forest, we celebrate their lives and show our commitment to take care of all life on Earth,” Kleiner said.

The project will have ongoing benefits, including:

• Absorbing 2,875 tons of carbon dioxide
• Creating 11,500 tons of oxygen
• Providing 4,600 hours of work to the local community
• Reforesting 115 hectares in Tanzania

Cherokee Uniforms is proud to contribute 115,000 trees to the goal. Anyone can donate to the cause to make sure more trees get in the ground. 

“What an amazing way to honor the healthcare workers that fearlessly gave up their lives to care for ours.” Debbie Singer, of Cherokee Uniforms stated. “115,000 lives will be honored forever, I’m proud and humbled to be a part of this project.”

Visit the group’s profile page to get started. For just $3, you can help plant 10 trees, which represents 10 lives lost to COVID-19.

The initiative also supports all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Most of the work will be done by women while their children attend the Green Schools Program, helping to reduce poverty and food insecurity.

“The Whole Forest Nation team feels proud and honored to be associated with The One Heart Movement,” said Andrew Frankland, the Operations Director of Forest Nation, a non-profit designed to keep our planet healthy.

“From the moment we were introduced to the work they do to support the medical professionals and families affected by the pandemic, we knew we wanted to help shine a light on this great need. The ‘One Heart Forest’ in Tanzania is an example of the power community-led social action has in creating positive social change and fostering environmental well-being. We look forward to planting and growing this forest movement together.”

Help us plant trees for everyone that lost their lives to the pandemic. We can turn their sacrifice into something beautiful for the planet.