THE LEAFLET

Casey Trees had a very special tree planting at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS in Brookland this past Friday.

In April 2020, the Stokes community unexpectedly lost a beloved member – Mr. Philip Izlar, Sr., better known as Mr. PC, a longtime custodian at the school. At the beginning of the pandemic when we were isolated and unsure of what was to come, the Stokes community was unable to communally mourn the great loss of Mr. PC.

Photo Courtesy of Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS

Those who knew him remember the sweetness, love, and joy he brought each day. “Mr. PC was usually the first person to greet families as they would drop their children off at school. And he would always greet every person with a smile. And oh what a smile it was. Mr. PC found the good in every human being that he came across.”

Just over two years since his passing, Casey Trees was honored to join Stokes leadership and the Izler family to memorialize the powerful presence Mr. PC had on this close-knit community. Together we selected to plant an eastern redbud for its purple flowers in spring and yellow leaves in fall, emblematic of the Stokes spirit colors, and heart-shaped leaves that represent the love Mr. PC shared with all. 

If you are interested in honoring a loved one through a tree, we offer Symbolic Tree Adoptions and Tree Dedications. You can learn more about our commemorative giving options here.