US celebrities plant tree for charity

HILTON TRINIDAD launched its Carnival Learning Tree charity yesterday with soap opera star Victoria Rowell (Drucilla on the Young and Restless) and prominent US Attorney Johnny Cochrane being the first to plant trees in the front lawn area.

The event was informal and Cochrane joked with Rowell as she shovelled dirt on the roots of the newly planted tree: “You’ve done this before.” The lawyer himself said of the occasion: “This is wonderful.”  Trees were planted for Laventille, Morvant and Belmont.  Hilton General Manager Ali Khan said Rowell is a single mother and famous actress, with her own charity for foster children, while Cochrane is known for helping the depressed as well as minorities. Khan said guests will be invited to buy a tree for US$50. Among the varieties available are mango, avocado, jasmine, coconut, palm, soursop, cassia. They will receive a plaque with their names, the date the tree is planted and inscription of their choice. Guests can also purchase book ends for US$100 or an entire book case (10 trees) for US$500. Khan said the money will go into the Hilton Kids in the Caribbean Charity, then distributed to junior and primary schools in the areas targetted. If any money is left it will go to assisting secondary schools.

Rowell said she is happy to encourage prosperous futures and spoke of her life saying that many people gave her encouragement during the 18 years she spent in foster care. The actress has her own charity, Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan (www.rowellfosterchildren.org.) She said: “We want foster youths to see opportunities out there, and not see limitations.” Rowell said she has received many invitations to visit Trinidad and Tobago and decided to come this year despite the threats of terrorism.