Columbia Tree Society Annual Membership Drive
The Columbia Tree Society has begun their annual membership drive for 2023. The Society is the fundraising auxiliary for the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission. Membership dues enable the Shade Tree Commission to purchase and maintain street trees in the borough.
Over the last 32 years, the Shade Tree Commission has planted approximately 940 trees in the community as well as maintaining street trees and has received the National Arbor Day Foundation’s “Tree City USA” designation for 31 consecutive years.
The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission strives to encourage street tree plantings as well as in yards, parks, and public places, as trees retain large volumes of rainfall, thereby reducing and cleansing runoff. They also increase property values, reduce air pollution, calm traffic, and lower noise levels. Manageable storm water runoff results from abundant trees, multi-use catch basins and rain gardens reduces impervious surfaces, and increased ground vegetation. The benefits are lower costs and a more livable and sustainable environment.
Shaded homes and tree filled yards make urban life more pleasant and provide practical benefits such as lower heating and air conditioning costs and increased re-sale values. The tree canopy is also a major contributor to storm and water runoff reduction.
Serving as this year’s Honorary Chairman for the Membership Drive is Sandy Duncan. Sandy is the second of eight children born to Edward and Dorothea Reeves and she grew up in the rural area of Columbia on Kinderhook Road. She was a member of the Hempfield High School Class of 1967 and was honored as the Outstanding Senior Girl Athlete at graduation.
Sandy is the widow of Columbia native Charles Duncan and mother of three Columbia High School graduates: Sonya, Charles Jr, and Randy, and three grandchildren: R’Nez, Annalee and Anaya.
Sandy is a proud Columbia community activist who strives to help make Columbia a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Past and present community activities and organizations include Columbia Women’s softball teams Kloidt’s Flower Shoppe and Jay’s Lounge, and Zinn’s Diner of Ephrata. She was also a Penn Laurel Girl Scout Brownie Leader and a Columbia Girl Scout District Leader. She was a CHS Band Booster Club president, Makle Park Ranger, Columbia Juneteenth Coordinator, Columbia Democrats District Leader, Community Action Program Board Member, and the Columbia Boys and Girls Club Advisory Board. She served on Columbia Borough Council for eight years and was also a president of that organization. She also served 4 years on the Columbia Borough School District and coming back later to serve again.
Sandy is a life long active member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Columbia and has served in the choirs, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School programs.
Sandy is an Honorably Discharged U.S. Air Force veteran of the Viet Nam era and a retired Administrative Assistant of Wyeth Laboratories, now GlaxoSmithKline in Marietta, PA.
Please contribute to the Columbia Tree Society for 2023. Membership categories are as follows:
Student: $5.00
Individual: $10.00
Family: $25.00
Business: $50.00
Life: $500.00
Please make a check payable and mail to:
Columbia Tree Society
308 Locust Street
Columbia, PA 17512
If interested in purchasing a Memorial Certificate for a deceased loved one, please submit their name and a check for $50 to the above address. A Memorial Certificate will be presented to the donor in their deceased loved one’s name at the annual Arbor Day Observance to be held on Friday April 28, 2023. The ceremony will be held in Zion Hill Cemetery located on the east side of the 500 block of N 5th Street in Columbia.
A copy of the Shade Tree’s annual report to Council can be requested by writing to or stopping by the same address above.
Members of the Columbia Shade Tree Commission are Amy Evans - Chairperson, Julie Lehmer – Secretary, Amanda Hawn – Treasurer, Jack Gamby, and Caroline McGrath.
The Shade Tree Commission partners with the Columbia Park Rangers in maintaining street trees and park trees. If interested in participating, please contact a member of the Shade Tree Commission, or by calling the Columbia Borough office at 684-2467.