Seva Yatra partnered with Canopy to kick-start a series of service days for Infosys in the Bay Area. It was a pleasant Sunday morning, when a group of 13 dedicated volunteers from Infosys gathered together at the Green Oaks Elementary School in East Palo Alto.

 The task at hand: Young Tree Care. Canopy is a local environmental nonprofit dedicated to planting and protecting trees in parks, schools, and along streets of Palo Alto and neighboring communities. The service involved weeding and mulching young trees so that they could grow into healthy, beautiful and tall trees giving the school much needed greenery.

After a short demonstration by Mike from Canopy, our dedicated volunteers attacked the weeds with shovels, rakes and bare hands (well protected by gloves).  Weeding was perhaps one of the hardest tasks, but the group got through two very rough patches in a span  two and a half hours. Work was peppered with conversations about what are other ways in which companies can get involved, families can engage with their local communities and what are the most effective ways to give back. The day ended with a delicious falafel wrap and a controversial Baklava, some thought it was sinful while others thought it was well deserved. Big shout out to Archana’s 6 year old who, with her mini shovel was weeding through the day, and all other little munchkins who made it out there.!

This amazing group, put the Green back in Green Oaks Elementary!

Some quotes from the Infosys Volunteers:

• We'd like to do such activities with our teams instead of or in addition to team dinners. 
• My wife and I have been thinking how we can do such with our children, I'm glad I found out about Canopy. 
• This is the first time I've ever done something like this, it's great to be able to come out here and help an under- served area.