Richmond – April 17, 2009 – ORC Grounds Management, Inc. (ORC) is partnering with CB Richard Ellis and the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity to landscape two local Habitat for Humanity homes in honor of Earth Week.   

At each home, volunteers will plant flowers and trees, install pavers, erect storage sheds and even improve drainage where required. The installation will begin on April 18 and will culminate with an Earth Day volunteer celebration on April 22.

ORC will donate the materials for the installation, and labor will be provided by nearly 20 CB Richard Ellis Global Corporate Services employees dedicated to serving commercial real estate needs of the Hospital Corporation of America, Inc (HCA).

“Landscaping aesthetics and ease of property maintenance are becoming increasingly critical elements in both our new and “rehabbed” construction projects,” said Leisha LaRiviere, Executive Director of Richmond Habitat for Humanity. “We are grateful for businesses like ORC and CB Richard Ellis who can help our organization’s past and current homeowners provide sustainable and cost effective solutions to their landscaping needs.”

“We are excited to lend our passion for customer care to this worthy cause,” said David Cooke, president of ORC, a custom commercial and residential lawn and landscape service provider. “We pride ourselves on providing our clients with a lasting first impression and are honored to be able to provide this for deserving Habitat homeowner families.”

“This is a great opportunity for CB Richard Ellis employees to demonstrate our commitment to leadership and sustainability in our community,” said Jennifer O’Brien, real estate manager and project originator. “Richmond Habitat for Humanity and ORC represent the perfect partners with whom to achieve our mission of a greener tomorrow in Richmond.”

According to Jennifer, the project idea was born of her membership in CB Richard Ellis’ Green Knights, a group of sustainability experts that support CB Richard Ellis clients in transforming their space or property into a sustainable operation, often in conjunction with local, state or federal agencies and requirements. The Green Knights not only advise clients and tenants on the “greening” of their own space, but provide on-the-ground perspective that defines and drives CB Richard Ellis’ sustainability priorities and programs. Currently, there are more than 125 Green Knights across the United States.