Neil Sperry and Tom Pearce of The Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney Foundation board announce the challenge to the city to plant 5,000 new crape myrtles per year for the next 10 years.

Mayor Bill Whitfield of McKinney proclaims the city’s desire to participate in the goal of planting its portion of the new crape myrtles over the 2006-2015 decade.

As the name suggests, this group of supporters is held in our highest esteem.

At the Founders' Club Gala in October 2005 CMT Board President Neil Sperry and McKinney Mayor Bill Whitfield entered into a non-binding, 10-year challenge/agreement to plant 5,000 crape myrtles each year until 50,000 new plants were in the ground one decade later. The breakout is as follows:

• CMT agreed to distribute 1,000 plants within the city through the annual crape myrtle sale and other projects. 

• The city agreed to plant 2,000 additional plants in newly developing medians for each of the 10 years.

• The Super Sponsors Program makes up the final 2,000 plants each year.

How the Super Sponsor Program works:

Each year we seek 10 individuals or companies who will step forward to plant 200 crape myrtles of approved varieties on either their own or other publicly visible ground (not including medians). Additionally each Super Sponsor agrees to pay $1,000 directly to the CMT Foundation in return for recognition at the annual Founders' Club Gala and the designation as a Super Sponsor for that year.

2007 Super Sponsors
Crescent Development - Golden Tulip at Craig Ranch
Pogue Construction (2)
St. Michael Roman Catholic Church
Cooper Aerobics Center at Craig Ranch
Palladium USA
Cooper Life at Craig Ranch
Cooper Sports Complex - Michael Johnson's Performance Training Center
DXE - Time Square at Craig Ranch
Wilbow Construction

2008 Super Sponsors
Palladium at Craig Ranch
Chambersville Tree Farm
Tucker Hill
Prairie Flight Aviation
Pogue Construction
Stonebridge United Methodist Church
Eric & Katina Zepp

If you would like to discuss becoming a Super Sponsor or if you have questions about the program, you can reach us through our Executive Director Susan Owens. Phone (972) 542-1550 or e-mail: susan@crapemyrtletrails.org.