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Follow on Google News | Colliers International to Host 14th Field Trip to Patchen Tree FarmOn Friday, December 3rd, the San Jose and Redwood Shores offices of commercial real estate firm Colliers International will host their 14th annual field trip to Patchen California Tree Farm, hosting180 second graders from Trace Elementary School.
By: Colliers International “This is a special year for both us and for Trace,” said Colliers’ Managing Partner, Jeff Fredericks. “Just before school started this past fall, Trace was in the news for the arson fire that destroyed the school library and 19 classrooms. While the community rallied tremendously with their support, the effects of that fire will continue for years to come and our field trip is a much-anticipated and special treat each year for the entire second grade class of Trace Elementary.” The field trip starts with two busloads of kids filing into groups of five, each group with their own Colliers chaperone. They get introduced to the owner and founder of Patchen California, Jim Beck, who mesmerizes the kids with stories of Mountain Charlie McKiernan and the grizzly bear that took a four-inch handful of Mountain Charlie's skull but failed to kill him. After learning how the trees are planted and grown, each group heads out into the tree farm and cuts down trees that Patchen donates to needy families at Trace. In the 13 years of the Colliers field trip, approximately 1,000 trees have been donated to families that may not have been able to afford a Christmas tree otherwise. “During one of the field trips many years ago, a little boy came up and grabbed my leg and wouldn't let go,” said Jim Beck. “He asked if he could come live with me. I told him I would love to have him, but that his parents would be very sad. Later, I learned that the young boy’s mother was in jail and his father was nowhere to be found, so he lived with his grandmother. That renewed my commitment to use this farm to help these kids.” As each group comes back with their trees, they are welcomed with milk and cookies. Afterwards, each child gets to plant his or her own Redwood seedling and these potted seedlings go back home with the kids where they learn how to water and feed them until mature enough to be planted outside. With this project complete, the second graders are usually paid a surprise visit by Santa Claus himself. The children serenade Santa and the Colliers volunteers with Christmas carols until it's time for Santa to get back to his reindeer and for the kids to get back to school. Over the years, Colliers has hosted more than 1,600 second graders at Patchen California. For the kids, it is one of the highlights of being a second grader at Trace. For the Colliers volunteers, it is a perfect way to welcome the holidays and get into the spirit of the season. “The field trip to Patchen Tree Farm is a highlight of the year for second graders, their teachers and their parents,” said Therese Beaver, former second grade teacher and current Instructional Coach. “The folks at Colliers and Patchen do a wonderful job making this visit a memorable adventure and experience for all." # # # About Colliers International: End
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