Supporters can now text to donate to Tree Research & Education Endowment Fund

Virginia Beach, Va. (October 3, 2011) – STIHL and the Tree Research & Education Endowment (TREE) Fund announce a new Text2Give program, a quick and easy new method in which donations can be made via text.

Supporters can now text “treefund” to 85944 to donate $10 to the TREE Fund.* A $10 charge will appear on the donor’s cell phone bill.  A text response of “yes” in reply to the confirmation text is required to validate the donation. Donors may also text a donation to support the STIHL Tour des Trees cyclist(s) of their choice by texting donate (space) dollar amount (space) Rider Name to 27138 (ex: donate 50 JDoe or donate 100 teamflorida). The donor will receive a phone call to obtain their credit card information. The rider-specific donation campaign concludes October 31. Donations made to 27138 after Oct. 31 will not reach the TREE Fund. Text donations of $10 to 85944 may be made at any time using the keyword “Treefund”.

The STIHL Tour des Trees kicks off this year on Oct. 2 from Virginia Beach, Va., 65 cyclists registered for the 500-mile ride from Virginia Beach  to Washington, D.C., and each cyclist commits to raising a minimum of $3,500 for the TREE Fund as well. Along the way, the cyclists participate in tree plantings and educational events.

Followers can sign up to receive TREE Fund mobile updates by visiting the STIHL Tour des Trees website and providing their cell phone number. Subscribers will receive daily updates on the Tour’s progress through Virginia and monthly alerts after the ride concludes. Up to four alerts per month will be sent to those subscribed.

For more information visit www.stihltourdestrees.org.

Sponsors of the 2011 STIHL Tour des Trees include STIHL Inc.; Bartlett Tree Experts; Asplundh Tree Experts; Dominion; KASK Helmets; The Davey Tree Expert Company; Arizona Public Service; Mid-Atlantic STIHL; National Grid; PG&E; PacifiCorp; Arborwell; Casey Trees; Ford Motor Co.; Lewis Tree Service; the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA); NGK Spark Plugs; West Coast Arborists Inc.; Lebanon Turf; Tech Tree Experts Inc.; Trees, Inc.; Valley Crest; Vermeer; Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center; and Wright Tree Service.

*   A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Message & Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. By participating you certify that you agree to the terms and conditions, that you are 18 yrs or older, or have parental permission, and have authorization from the account holder. Donations are collected for the benefit of The Tree Fund by the Innovative Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at igfn.org/t. Privacy policy: igfn.org/p. Text STOP to  85944 to stop; Text HELP to  85944 for help.

About the TREE Fund:

The TREE Fund’s mission is to identify and fund projects and programs that advance knowledge in the field of arboriculture and urban forestry to benefit people, trees, and the environment.

The TREE Fund has supported research that has led to important developments in:

• Improving conditions for tree growth in difficult sites

• Implementing strategies to manage diseases and pests that affect urban trees

• Understanding air pollution reduction and carbon sequestration by trees

• Quantifying the costs and benefits of urban trees

For more information, visit www.treefund.org.

About STIHL Inc.:
STIHL Inc. manufactures the number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America for homeowners and professional landscapers*, as well as the number one selling brand of chain saws in the world. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast — not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of a local STIHL retailer, call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL dealer locator on the STIHL website at www.stihlusa.com.

*”Number one selling brand” is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research (commercial landscapers) as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2011 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers.

STIHL is pleased to support the work of Independent We Stand , the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund) , International Society of Arboriculture (ISA ), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) , National FFA , Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) , the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) , National Hispanic Landscape Alliance and the National Association of State Park Directors .