'One Day One School' coming to Morris Plains

Morris County's award-winning "One Day One School" program will travel to Morris Plains Saturday to beautify landscaping at two borough schools while dangerous trees and branches are removed from the grounds to keep students safe from harm.

The grassroots volunteer program, which began in 2006, also serves as a model for the power of municipal shared services, according to its organizers.

“The program’s proactive approach is more important than ever," said Hanover Committeeman Thomas "Ace Gallagher. "With budgets the way they are now, funds are usually allocated for the removal of trees only after they have failed. To date, 'One Day One School' has collectively saved local participating districts more than a half-million dollars, Every time you can save a district a thousand dollars, that’s a computer. If you save $60,000, that’s a new teacher.”

Gallagher, a former Hanover School Board member, launched the program in Hanover in 2006, with several Morris County landscapers, tree-service professionals, school and municipal officials and volunteers forming a core group that has expanded over the last decade. A project at Hanover Park Regional High School, which serves two towns, drew more than 300 participants, according to Gallagher, who by day operates a stump-grinding business.

Last year, more than 150 participants spruced up East Hanover Middle School. This year's "One Day One School" is expecting 175 to 200 volunteers for work at both Borough School and Mountain Way School in Morris Plains.

“ 'One Day One School' is truly a shared-services program that is a great benefit to our local schools and communities.” said  Morris Plains Mayor Frank Druetzler.

Dreutzler is expected to attend along with other Morris mayors who have supported the program in the past.

"(East Hanover) Mayor (Joseph) Pannullo has always supported us and (Florham Park Mayor (Mark) Taylor has been to all of our schools except one," Gallagher said.

"One Day One School" was recognized in 2009 with the New Jersey Green Community Achievement Award at the New Jersey Shade Tree Foundation. The award is presented by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Parks and Forestry Division in recognition of individuals or groups whose outstanding efforts have greatly contributed to the field of urban and community forestry.

It also inspired similar programs launched in other states including Massachusetts, Montana and Virginia.

Arthur's Tavern and Morris Plains T-Shirt Factory are among the borough businesses helping to sponsor this year's program. Contractors will arrive at 7:30 a.m. and community volunteers will check in at 9:30 a.m. A DJ will provide music to keep the volunteers moving until lunch is served around 12:30 p.m. Food and drink will be contributed by local businesses and prepared and served by Morris Plains Rotary Club volunteers.

The rain date is Oct. 17. "But Mayor Druetzler always says 'It never rains in Morris Plains,' " Gallagher said.

For more information or to volunteer, call 973-428-1102.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com.