Region Three hosts spring Community Impact project to improve Florida nature preserve
By Brock Huffstutler
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Region Three hosts spring Community Impact project to improve Florida nature preserve

Eleven companies and their employees, who offered their rental expertise, equipment and labor, completed the latest project of the Community Impact Program at Folly Farm Nature Preserve in Safety Harbor, Fla., on Wednesday, March 30.

This project — another joint effort of the ARA Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation — involved repairing flooded trails, improving wetland areas and building additional park protection.

Rental businesses and manufacturer/suppliers that participated in the event included:

  • Rentalex, Tampa, Fla.
  • Marketing Concepts, Jacksonville, Fla.
  • Kate Ryan Event Rentals, Tampa, Fla.
  • Jamco, Sanford, Fla.
  • Elite Events & Rentals, Tampa, Fla.
  • Power Equipment Solutions, Oldsmar, Fla.
  • THG Rental & Sales of Clearwater, Clearwater, Fla.
  • Devitt & Associates, Casselberry, Fla.
  • KWI Grand Rental, Ocala, Fla.
  • West Coast Rental, Land O' Lakes, Fla.
  • Bulldog Equipment Rental & Supply, Clearwater, Fla.

“One of the projects was to regrade a trail that had washed out, so we dug, put a pipe in, put gravel around it, replaced the dirt and regraveled about a 200-ft. part of the trail. Then, we planted about 200 plants and cleared out the area leading up to the marsh to get some of the invasive species out of there. The big project was taking out 22 stumps. We had to grind them out, dig out a swale and lay 10 pallets of sod. It was a lot of work, but we got it all done in one day,” says Brandon Ahlgren, CERP, owner, Elite Events & Rentals, Tampa, Fla., and ARA of Florida president, describing the work performed.

Ahlgren says he was thrilled with the high level of participation on the project.

“There were approximately 60 volunteers between the partnership of ARA [American Rental Association] members and Toro, and the city of Safety Harbor,” he says. “Rentalex supplied a lot of the Toro equipment, and Bulldog Equipment Rental & Supply and THG Rental & Sales supplied some equipment. Some independent reps brought equipment, too, and everybody brought staff out. It was a group effort and a great event.”

The ARA of Florida provided a dinner the evening before the event for those arriving early, and then breakfast and lunch on the day of the project.

The Community Impact Program, which launched in June 2021 and to date has spanned projects in Ohio, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas and now Florida, involves the ARA Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation partnering with local nonprofit organizations to coordinate community service projects. The purpose of the program is twofold: to allow those in the rental industry an opportunity to give back to their community as well as build public awareness and demonstrate the advantages of rental. 

Watch your email for details on future projects, which will involve the collaboration of ARA members, ARA state associations, and manufacturers and suppliers in the locations who will source donations and volunteers to work on the projects.

The next project is scheduled for Wednesday, May 11, in Vacaville, Calif., at My Friend’s House, a shelter for homeless and at-risk youth between the ages of 18-24. The work will include converting a garage into more conducive space for the shelter and some outdoor maintenance and beautification.

Brock Huffstutler

Brock HuffstutlerBrock Huffstutler

Brock Huffstutler is the regional news editor for Rental Management. He writes and edits articles for ARA’s In Your Region quarterly regional newsletters, Rental Management, Rental Pulse and other special projects. Outside of work, he enjoys biking and spending time at the few remaining vintage record stores in the region.

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