Contact: Andy Johnson (209) 571-5582
No. 07-161
October 10, 2007

Tree Planting to Recognize Generous Gift to Virginia Corridor

On Thursday October 11, 2007, at 5:15pm, the City of Modesto will recognize the generous gift that Mrs. Alberta Bodes and her family are making to the citizens of Modesto. The gift is being given to preserve the southern entrance to the Virginia Corridor at the intersection of Virginia Avenue with Griswold and Princeton Avenues. The funds will be used to install and maintain the entrance plaza, garden, trees and other greenery along that portion of the trail. The trail section for which these funds are designated is currently under construction. Mayor Jim Ridenour, along with four generations of the Bodes family will be planting a tree in honor of Mrs. Bodes.

This particular section of the Virginia Corridor has special meaning to Mrs. Bodes and her family because they lived near the intersection and the old Tidewater Southern Railway line. She and her children have fond memories of hearing the train whistle, running to catch sight of the approaching train and waving to the engineer as he passed. They recall walking along the tracks to school and to the little Roseburg grocery store.

When asked about the gift, Mayor Jim Ridenour stated, The generosity of the Bodes family will ensure that the Virginia Corridor will be enjoyed generation after generation. This gift is an example of how individuals can give back to the community they love.

The Bodes family joins with Modesto's five Rotary Clubs, Modesto Lions Club, Sylvan Improvement Club, Royal Robbins and the Modesto Garden Club as benefactors to the Virginia Corridor. All gifts to the community are made through the Stanislaus Community Foundation. By using the Stanislaus Community Foundation, individuals, service clubs and private businesses can partner with the city to ensure that community projects are funded and maintained for years to come.

For more information on this event, or for more information on how to make a donation, contact Andy Johnson at (209) 571-5582 or ajohnson@modestogov.com.

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To contact the City of Modesto Public Information Office, 
call Jessica Smart at (209) 342-4707. Email: jsmart@modestogov.com