Freedom Tree Organization

Representatives of the Simi Valley-based Freedom Tree Organization met at a local park Tuesday to commemorate the 563 trees the group has helped the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District plant at schools and parks around the city. Freedom Tree founder Mary McCurdy also unveiled the group's new flag, modeled after the American flag, but with four green trees superimposed on one of the white stripes.

Representatives of the Simi Valley-based Freedom Tree Organization met at a local park Tuesday to commemorate the 563 trees the group has helped the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District plant at schools and parks around the city. Freedom Tree founder Mary McCurdy also unveiled the group's new flag, modeled after the American flag, but with four green trees superimposed on one of the white stripes.

Five representatives of the Simi Valley-based Freedom Tree organization are scheduled to fly to Washington, D.C., today to honor Gen. Colin Powell and to seek funding to expand the organization nationwide. Randy Sundeen, president of the group, said the five-day trip will include discussions with U. S. Department of Agriculture officials regarding the availability of land and funding for tree-planting nationwide.

The Simi Valley-based Freedom Tree Organization, which plants trees in honor of men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces, has named new officers. Dick Schwalbenberg, general manager of the Clarion Hotel in Simi Valley, is the new president of the group, which was founded in 1991. Schwalbenberg also serves on the board of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce. Three others will serve as Freedom Tree's vice presidents: Hal Geer, a retired U.S.

The African Children's Choir, bringing a message of hope through cultural and gospel music, will perform Saturday in Simi Valley. The 29 singers, ages 5 to 12, come from impoverished countries in East Africa. Some are orphans, others are homeless. Money raised from their performances is used to provide food and shelter for more than 650 children in Africa.

A Simi Valley group formed last year to honor war veterans by planting trees is turning its attention to a forestry project near one of the Los Angeles neighborhoods hit by April's riots. The Freedom Tree Organization won a $100,000 grant earlier this month under a post-riot federal initiative to rebuild urban Los Angeles.

Nearly four years ago, as the United States entered the Persian Gulf War, Mary C. McCurdy prayed that her Army Reserve son would not be called for service. Still, she wanted to show her immense gratitude for those who did go into battle. "I just thought, 'My goodness, look at all these people who are going off to fight for our country,' " she said. "I wanted to do something that would be a lasting tribute."

A movement to keep the San Fernando Valley from being overlooked in the wake of the spring riots has been slow to gather strength, but community leaders hope to flex much greater muscle in 1993. The new year promises to bring state tax credits to "riot-distressed" areas of the Valley and greater recognition of the region's problems by Rebuild L.A., the organization set up by Mayor Tom Bradley to help speed Los Angeles' recovery, community leaders say.