Help strengthen our community by planting trees and
supporting families experiencing breast cancer
In the news!
Sign up to win a Spruce tree
Must be a resident of Anchorage, Alaska and at least 18 years of age to apply.
It is time to do more, together
Last year, PTS Alaska donated 200 spruce trees in memory of Betsy Guzenski, Paul’s Mother, who passed away in June 2019 from breast cancer. Along the way we met many families that personally connected with our mission in the midst of their own struggles. While most were financially stable, the tremendous emotional toll was universal. We also met many more who wanted to help.
With your help, Spruce Up Anchorage seeks to develop the resources and relationships to provide unique caring gifts for local families experiencing breast cancer. Gifts are intended to show that our community cares, as well as to help strengthen families in small but important ways.
What will strengthen a family? Acts of service, thoughtful keepsakes, flights to bring families together… more than financial support, we cover the coordination and cost of cleaning services, food delivery, or anything that will help families be families.
If you know a local family affected by breast cancer, consider nominating them and tell us what gift would help the most. Or if you would like to sponsor a gift, please donate. Spruce Up Anchorage is a 501(c)(3) non profit. Donations are tax deductible.
Inspired by Betsy Guzenski
“Mrs. G” loved nature, her students and her family.
In the spring of 2019, Mrs. Betsy Guzenski received news that would change her and her family's life. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. Read more…
Message from our Medical partner
Spruce Up Anchorage (SUA) is a labor of love born from loss. A loss that comes at the hand of a disease, a plague that consumes from within. Breast cancer took Betsy from this world and, while it pales in comparison to the loss of her life, spruce beetles take thousands of trees every year. From combating these two afflictions SUA was born. While replacing a loved one is impossible, honoring them is possible and SUA aims to do not only that but also help the many families currently going through the fight against breast cancer. Whether that be by providing the funds for travel to and from treatment or by providing the funds for an excursion to allow a family to spend precious quality time together. As a physician in this community I have seen the enormous impact a small gesture can make not only for a patient but for the family and thus I fully support and am in awe of the mission of SUA. While SUA may be a labor of love born from loss, it will profit both our community and our community members for years to come.
- April L Rodriguez, MD, RPVI, Alyeska Vascular Surgery
Who is Spruce Up Anchorage
Spruce Up Anchorage began in 2020 in response to the Spruce bark beetle outbreak. The beetle epidemic impacted Anchorage for many years and the landscape was radically changed in the more recent years leading up to 2020. For Paul and his team at Paul's Tree Service, this was the opportunity to give back to a community that has always been so supportive and nurturing to the company.
Starting in 2020, Paul’s Tree service donated 200 spruce saplings to residents of Anchorage and Eagle River. Many recipients, friends and family asked about donating money to the program and were touched by how the program was dedicated to Betsy Guzenski, Paul’s mother who had passed away, as well. This year we made the decision to register as a non profit and expand upon our impact in the community and how we can help.
Paul’s Tree Service (PTS) is the primary sponsor of Spruce Up Anchorage
Message from our Ecological partner
Planting white spruce (Picea glauca) is an excellent way help our urban forest recover from the current bark beetle outbreak that has decimated spruce populations in the Anchorage area. White spruce are native to Alaska, tolerant of climate variability and provide critical habitat for wildlife. Most importantly, young spruce trees are resistant to bark beetles! We hope when the ~50-year cycle of bark beetle infestation returns, sometime around 2070, that we have better methods to save these beautiful trees. Until then, enjoy the year-round color, shade and wind-break.
- Travis Andrews, PhD