VIBURNUM, Mo. (Dec. 1, 2014) – More than a dozen sunset maple trees now line the entrance to Viburnum, Missouri, along the Viburnum High School varsity baseball field. The trees, a gift from The Doe Run Company (Doe Run), are the culmination of the company’s year-long celebration of its 150th anniversary, and reflect the company’s commitment to social, economic and environmental responsibilities.

“Our 150th anniversary celebrates not only our company’s history, but also the history of the communities where we operate,” said Tammy Stankey, senior communications liaison at Doe Run and chair of the 150th anniversary team. “Doe Run wanted to recognize this milestone by donating a lasting gift to our Viburnum community.”

Jay Doty, community engagement coordinator at Doe Run, recommended the donation after meeting with Clay LaRue, principal at Viburnum High School, to identify potential projects that would benefit the school’s baseball fields and the community.

“Through our conversations, it became clear that planting trees along the Viburnum High School varsity baseball field would offer significant improvements to the property,” said Doty. “In time, these new trees will provide shade for community members as they support their local teams, act as a screen between the baseball field and Highway 49, and provide a scenic entrance to the town of Viburnum.”

Doe Run worked with local landscaper Distinctive Landscaping Design to determine which species of trees would provide the ideal shade and vibrant fall color, as well as tolerate the weather conditions of the area. Each of the 17 trees were hand-selected by Doty, a registered landscape architect, and were planted by Distinctive Landscaping Design on November 8.

Viburnum High School expects that the landscaping will be the first of several improvements made at the baseball fields. In the future, the school hopes to raise funds to renovate the dugouts, batting cage and bleachers in order to improve the athlete and fan experience at the baseball fields.

Over the past several years, Doe Run has helped transform many of the Viburnum schools’ facilities. These projects included building a new running track, renovating the gymnasium, and developing a small amphitheater where teachers can lead outdoor classes and creating a commons area where students can congregate during lunch and after school.

About The Doe Run Company

Based in St. Louis, The Doe Run Company is a privately held natural resources company and a global provider of lead, copper and zinc concentrates. Dedicated to environmentally responsible mineral and metal production, Doe Run operates one of the world’s largest, single-site lead recycling centers, located in Boss, Missouri. The Doe Run Company and its subsidiaries deliver products and services necessary to provide power, protection and convenience. Doe Run has operations in Missouri, Washington and Arizona. For more information, visit www.doerun.com and http://sustainability.doerun.com.

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