Tulips on Troost

Recently, students and family members from Rockhurst University participated in a TOT planting day, which included daffodils and 45 Alberta dwarf Spruce trees! One Rockhurst student, Nathan Olson, stepped up and offered to maintain the trees and flower beds and take care of them as they grow! We were so thankful for Nathan's help (maintaining our flowers and greenery are the key to a beautiful Troost Avenue!) that we wanted to know more about him. So here's a quick biography on Nathan, as well as an overview of this involvment with TOT that we hope will inspire YOU to do the same this planting season!

"My name is Nate Olson, and I am from Omaha, Nebraska. I am a sophomore at Rockhurst University and I am double majoring in Marketing and English, and hope to own my own business one day. I love to spend time with my family and go backpacking, white-water rafting, and always finding something to laugh at. One of my great joys is playing music. I have played guitar for ten years, and consider it to be one of the greatest blessing in my life. I enjoy doing service, meeting new people, and spending time with God. Among other things, my life motto is “to live a life that would make my family proud.”

I am a Finucane Service Scholar at Rockhurst University, and this allows me to earn a scholarship based on volunteering. As part of this, Julia Vargas at the R.U. Center for Service Learning sent an email to all Finucane Scholars to see if anyone would help out. I said that I would be willing to help in any way that I am able. I was the student leader for the Tulips on Troost service event. I have to say, I did get my hands dirty, but a lot of my time was spent taking pictures and helping volunteers. To be honest, I only planted one tree that day, but after digging the hole I saw that the ground was unfertile and had my doubts that it could sustain life. It didn’t make sense to me to spend time, money, and labor for these plants to die shortly after. I was simply thinking long term. As a result, I asked Alicia Douglas and Julia Vargas (the coordinators for the event) if it would be possible to form a group to take care of the new trees and daffodils. I volunteered to head this, but hope that others will be willing to help with the upkeep.

The upkeep of the trees, as of now, will just be watering. As the trees continue to grow, I imagine that some trimming and raking will need to be done as well. If there are any other things that would be beneficial for the trees I would be willing to do that as well.

The mission of Tulips on Troost is something very special to our community. Many people think of Troost as being a rundown part of town that nobody is willing or able to take care of. I would argue the complete opposite. Troost is a thriving and rich community that has lots to offer. By planting tulips, daffodils, and spruce trees along Troost, appreciation and beauty can flow back into the community. By these actions, we can directly show how people in this community genuinely care about the message of hope and healing Tulips on Troost offers. For me, this organization lives out a message of love. We are called by God to love our neighbors and to seek Him in all things. Whether of not people like to put a religious hook on this message, it still remains clear that Tulips on Troost loves this community, and is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of thousands each day.

I see myself partnering with Tulips on Troost for years to come. I have participated in a few of the planting events already, and support the mission of this organization. Anything that Tulips on Troost could use from me, I would be more than happy to offer."

THANKS NATE, and all who will be partnering with you as you maintain this part of Troost Avenue!