MDI Orange Trees Bring Sweet Holiday Cheer & a Healthy New Year!
For the past five years, during the fall/winter harvest season, students and faculty at PVPV/Rawlings have enjoyed a delicious, healthy addition to their school lunches. The school’s orange grove, part of a unique Healthy Initiative, annually yields nearly 3,500 oranges. Now, thanks to the donation of thirty new orange trees by Ponte Vedra-based MDI Holdings, that yield of ripe, juicy golden fruit has more than doubled.
On December 14, in the peak of the orange grove’s harvest season, MDI employees and school staff planted the thirty adult fruit-bearing Satsuma Orange trees, and on December 17, Principal Kathleen Furness and three of her students delivered a bulging bag heavy with sweet, fresh Satsuma Oranges to Richard Willich, CEO of MDI Holdings.
“How do I know these came from the school orange grove?” Willich joked with Adam Snowden as scent of succulent oranges wafted through the air. “We picked them!” was Adam’s reply. Principal Furness then informed Willich that Adam is the school’s 2009 Spelling Bee Champion. “How do you spell Mississippi?” asked Willich, grinning broadly as Adam responded instantly with the correct answer.
Fifth grader and Safety Patrol Captain Mallory Suppa presented Willich with a letter of thanks from the students and faculty of PVPV/Rawlings, and 2nd grader, Emma Merlini, gave him a basket containing a large frosted Santa Cookie … “Because you’re our special Santa, Mr. Willich,” she recited prettily. “Emma earned 125 reading points,” announced Furness. “She is Principal of the Day.”
Promptly taking Emma’s hand, Willich led her behind his desk, inviting her to sit in his chair and take charge of MDI during her visit. Beaming and looking quite confident, the young Principal of the Day settled comfortably into the big chair, very much like a queen surrounded by her court.
And, just as it seemed the visit could get no better, Tony Boselli [former offensive tackle with the Jacksonville Jaguars football team] entered the office, personally greeting each visitor and later posing with Emma and her court for a holiday photo.
From Left to Right: Back row — Tony Boselli, Kathleen Furness and Richard Willich, Front row — Adam Snowden and Mallory Suppa, Seated — Emma Merlini
The donation of trees and labor, equating to about $10,000, is the first MDI donation to PVPV/Rawlings, although several other St. Johns County public schools and community organizations have benefitted from Willich’s generosity.
“We are glad to partner with PVPV Elementary in this Healthy Initiative,” said Willich. “Look at these wonderful children. Our future depends on their robust physical, mental and emotional health. I grew up in public schools and I’m grateful to be able to help kids in our local public schools and community.”
With a plethora of oranges available at no cost to students and faculty for school lunches, the additional yield from the new trees may give the school a new revenue stream in the future.
“Our students love these Satsuma Oranges,” said Furness. “This is a holiday gift that will keep on giving for generations to come.”
