OneTree Alaska stages Valentine-themed fundraiser

OneTree Alaska has announced a Valentine’s Day special for people who wish to donate to the forest education outreach and research program.

Individuals who donate $100 to OneTree Alaska receive a
luminaria and a box of birch caramels.

Those who donate $100 will receive a red Valentine’ s box with a dozen birch caramels, one ice luminaria and the opportunity to become a “sap sergeant.”

OneTree is working with the University of Alaska Foundation to raise money for its program, which provides forest education to K-12 students and researches birch sap processing methods. The program had hoped to support its work by selling products made from 6,000 gallons of the birch sap staff and volunteers with a birch sap cooperative collected last spring. A freezer failure in October resulted in losing most of the sap concentrate. Dawe says she hopes to raise $100,000 by June to pay for the program’s seasonal birch sap crew, buy a freezer alarm and support the education program.

A variety of funding levels have been established. These include Friends of OneTree, $25; Adopt a Seedling, $50; Sap Sergeants, $100; Sapling Steward, $365; Deep Roots Donor, $500; and Community Science Champion, $1,000 or above. Depending on the level of contribution, donors receive caramels, luminaria, a limited-edition print by Kes Woodward, or recognition as an underwriter of saplings.

Anyone who wishes to donate may call OneTree Alaska at 474-5517 or use its website at https://onetreealaska.weebly.com/giving.html. The caramels and luminaria may be picked up at OneTree studio at Lola Tilly Commons from 4-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to noon on Valentine’s Day.