Seeds for Change Flyer
PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots women's soccer team will be offering Roses of Sharon seedlings to fans all season long, with all donations going to Open School North in North Portland. Rose of Sharon plants are significant to the women's soccer program for several reasons, which includes a plethora of the plants growing behind the main grandstands at Merlo Field.
Open School's mission is to develop connection, capability, and confidence in disconnected youth through relationship-based, quality learning experiences that result in academic, personal, and community success.
"This is something that is special to us because we have been blessed with a wonderful education at the University of Portland, and now we're helping school kids in north Portland receive a proper education as well," said Ellie Boon, a Portland senior defender. "We have the best fans in the nation, and this allows us to give them a piece of Merlo Field and all of the history that it entails, while supporting a good cause."
Last fall the team collected seeds from the Roses of Sharon bushes behind the stadium. The players then planted the seeds and have been caring for them ever since. The team is now making the seedlings, a small planter box, soil, and directions on how to care for the seedling available to fans for $5. Donations will also be welcome, and fans can purchase the seedlings at the fan info table just inside the main entrance to Merlo Field during every women's home game this season.
These plants will eventually grow into giant shrubs, like the ones behind the Merlo grandstand, in the spring.
"These plants also have a biblical context of hope, so these little seedlings represent the hope and future we could give to school kids in our community," added Boon. "We want to give children in North Portland the hope and resources to be able to achieve their wildest dreams, just as we have been able to do so playing soccer at the University of Portland."
Boon also wanted to thank Mean's Nursery, for all of the generous donations made to the project, and UP's biology department for their assistance.
