LOXLEY, Ala. — The playground at Loxley Elementary is going to be a bit shadier with new maple and magnolia trees. There will be new flowers and shrubs on the campus thanks to some work by volunteers from Sam’s Club.

“We picked Loxley because it would make a big difference to the school and the community,” said Bob Perryman, a membership manager for the store.

“Several associates here have youngsters in the school,” added Tom Snow, a manager for the chain.

Perryman emphasized that the store employees were working on their own time.

“The company is involved with the community,” he said. Perryman added that “12 to 14” associates would be working at the school

Earth Day is celebrated April 22 of each year. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the environment.

De Ann Ramey, principal of Loxley Elementary was grateful for the help. The playground, while new and well-equipped was exposed to the sun all day, and would get hot for students. She said in an e-mailed statement:

“Loxley Elementary celebrated Earth Day in a big way this year. Rather than planting the traditional tree to mark the occasion, Sam's Club of Daphne employees volunteered their own time to help beautify the entire campus. The volunteers spent 5 hours planting numerous varieties of trees and flowering plants around the playgrounds, in the courtyards, and along fence lines. Loxley Elementary will be a spectacular sight when everything is in bloom next spring. The students and staff are so grateful to Sam’s Club, the volunteers, and to Central Baldwin Nursery.”

Tairie Toler, a photo manager at the Daphne store, has a daughter, Joyce Gibbs, a third grade student at the school. He father, Gibbs’ grandfather, James Brown, was also at the school, planting trees.

“This does two things at once,” said Toler. “It shows support for my daughter and it shows support for Sam’s.”

Toler said her family moved from California two years ago, and their home there had many mature trees and plants, unlike the relatively new development where the family is now.

Toler will be glad to know that the trees and shrubs planted at LES were selected with fast growth in mind, especially a River Birch tree

“We talked to a nurseryman,” said Rhonda Urban, a new business representative at the Daphne store. “He told us this was a species that wouldn’t take 30 years to grow, and the roots wouldn’t uproot the playground.”

Urban added that the tree’s quick growth and low maintenance requirements made it a good candidate for school use.

“You can never do too much to help schools,” said Urban.

“Sam’s is going green in every possible way,” agreed Stacy Smith, also a new business representative. “We volunteer a lot.”

Smith added that the volunteers would be back for the school’s field day in May.