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The Pilot Club of Andalusia gave back to its community through the donation of four crepe myrtle trees to the City of Andalusia for Earth Day on Monday, April 22.

The trees will be planted in Heritage Park, which is tentatively scheduled to open in the fall, or another area of public property.

National Arbor Day is on Thursday, April 25, which coincides with the Pilot Club’s annual Square Picnic. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees have a way of improving people’s feelings about their neighborhoods and cities.

“The benefits of these trees stretch well beyond anesthetics. Trees are working hard in our communities to filter pollutants out of the air we breathe and manage storm water to ensure cleaner waterways. They are lowering urban temperatures, decreasing energy usage, and capturing carbon to slow the rate of climate change. Green environments also encourage physical activity, improve cognitive ability, and reduce stress. Trees have a quiet way of bringing people together,” an Arbor Day Foundation statement read.

The Pilot Club of Andalusia will hold its annual picnic on the square in downtown Andalusia on Thursday, April 25, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event is always held in April around Earth Day each year.

Tickets will be sold for $10 each at the Square on Thursday. This year’s picnic lunch includes a sandwich of choice, chips, fruit, a cookie, a drink, and a mint. Sandwich selections are homemade chicken salad, ham and cheese, or pimento.

All proceeds from the Square Picnic event go back into the organization’s needs in Covington County.

The Pilot Club’s main focus is brain-related disorders and mentoring for caregivers. Meetings are held the fourth Monday night of every month at the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information visit the Pilot Club of Andalusia page on Facebook.