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Green Trees Early Learning Center
Green Trees Early Learning Center
Celebrating 40 years of cultivating strong roots in early childhood education

The Story of French Fry and the 
​BIG GREEN TREE

The BIG GREEN TREE is more than just a mural – it’s a story of our 

whole community coming together.


Little hands and big hands worked side by side to bring the BIG GREEN TREE to life.

Children picked up brushes, families joined in, board members rolled blue paint across

the walls for sky, while teachers and friends filled in the 

green grass and curling branches.



The Amazing artist and Green Trees mom, Mary-Elizabeth, 

helped us grow our tree.


Mary-Elizabeth, a Green Trees mom and artist learned about the BIG GREEN TREE

and loved the idea of a community art project to help Green Trees. 

She came to Green Trees over a weekend to make the tree 

even MORE beautiful and she even gave us a painting lesson too!


And then there was French Fry!



Mary-Elizabeth painted French Fry, the Green Trees Squirrel with great love and care!

He was named by the children of Green Trees, who could not imagine our tree without a

big, fluffy, adorable squirrel! Now French Fry makes his home in the curling branches of

the BIG GREEN TREE and they children visit him every day. We all love French Fry!


The BIG GREEN TREE wasn’t just painted with colors – it was painted with love,

imagination, and community spirit.


The BIG GREEN TREE is still a work in progress. To help us finish the BIG GREEN

TREE, we invite you to Buy a Leaf. Plant a Vine. Grow a Branch. 

Strengthen our Roots.


Every gift adds new life to the mural – and helps our children, families, and center not

only survive, but truly thrive. Together we can make sure Green Trees continue to stand

tall for another 40 years and beyond.


Thank you for helping us grow the BIG GREEN TREE. The love and support of

our community keeps us growing strong. Thank you for strengthening our roots.

Donate Here

Thank You to our Amazing Donors!

Just like a tree needs sunlight, water, and care, Green Trees Early Learning Center
thrives because of the generosity of our sponsors and generous donors. Every gift helps
us nurture children, support working families, empower teachers and plant seeds for the
future. Thank you for being the roots that keep us grounded, the branches that help us reach
higher and the leaves that make our community vibrant. We are dreaming and planning
for 40 more years of growth thanks to your generous support. Thank you for believing in
us and standing with us. Here’s to 40 more years of building bright futures together!