An anonymous neighbor nominated the Archer family, who lost a significant portion of their maple tree in last year's June tornados. Neighbors helped clean up the debris that fell, but the rest of the tree still stood, so we were called in to finish the job.

We were happy to help, as the Archers had other significant financial burdens due to their newborn son, Chandler, being born with clubbed feet. Medical and travel expenses meant tree removal was likely at the bottom of their priority list! We crossed this item off their "to-do" list so they can focus on their beautiful growing family! 

Our second story is about Tyler Call, nominated by his mother, Linda. Tyler, a newlywed, purchased a house with his wife. Sadly, about a year ago, she passed away. The emotional, physical and financial burden of caring for the trees on his property became too much to handle on his own, so we stepped in to help. Tyler's backyard was filled with dying and decaying trees that posed a risk to himself and his dogs. We were glad they called in professional help! It was difficult to capture a before and after record due to the number of trees in his backyard. He has a small forest back there! We removed many dangerous limbs over the roof, deck and pool. We also removed several volunteer trees around the property to improve his home's appearance.

We hope we were able to restore pride and confidence in his home, and hope for his continued healing following the loss of his wife.

Amelia was nominated anonymously by a caring friend. We couldn't tell her story better ourselves:

​"Amelia is a single mom, who, despite a lifetime of financial hardships, has managed to do more for her family and her community than seems humanly possible with only 24 hours in each day. While raising her two children, Amy provided for them by running her own nail care business. Working out of a tiny room at the back of another shop, she has a group of loyal customers and makes enough to keep food on the table, but not much else. And yet, while running her business and raising her kids, Amy has also done what many would see as impossible: she went back to school! First taking classes part time at Metro, and then moving on to full-time studies at UNO, my friend will, on Dec. 15th, walk with her classmates to receive her diploma for her bachelor’s degree in accounting! There are no words to describe how proud we all are of her. This is the woman who has always been there for me... well for anyone who need help, really. She can’t help people financially, so she helps them with her time, her hands, and elbow grease. Where she finds the time or the energy, I’ll never know. Sadly, with absolutely no leeway in her finances, there has been no money for much-needed things like home repairs and tree services."
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Mark your calendars! We are proud to again be sponsoring the Earth Day Omaha Tree Climb event along with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. Each year, over 100 Omahans, kids and adults alike, get to saddle up and climb Nebraska's State Champion Swamp White Oak tree at Elmwood Park. 

Free T-Shirts AND Free Books!

As usual, the first 30 climbers get a FREE Tree Hugger t-shirt, but we're doing something extra special this year! Kids can earn a free book (I Can Name 50 Tree Today!) by printing off the coloring sheet below and bringing it to the tree climb event!

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​Delivering the news to Jill that she was the recipient of our charity program was wonderful. But even more wonderful was hearing the news that Jill's doctor delivered the week that we performed the work: Jill was cancer free!

​Congratulations, Jill! We wish you good health and happiness through your recovery and beyond! 

Last December, we asked the Omaha community to nominate a family in need to receive free tree care services for our first annual "Gift of Beautiful Trees" charity program. We received many nominations, and it was heartwarming to hear so many stories of generosity and neighbors helping neighbors. It was so difficult to pick one winner that we ended up selecting TWO families to receive free services. 

The winner, whom we shall call 'D' for all intents and purposes, was a wounded war veteran. He was anonymously nominated by a neighbor, who noticed he had some dangerous dead trees in his yard, as well as some dead limbs hanging directly over the wheelchair ramp leading up to his front door. We knew right away we had to help D.

I stopped by the job site to snap some photos of the crew working and D's wife called me inside to chat. I wasn't expecting to walk into the living room filled with BEAUTIFUL hand-carved wooden model cars and trucks. This was D's hobby, pride and joy, as he was wheelchair bound. D insisted I take one of his model cars home as a token of gratitude. His gift was awesome, but what I enjoyed most was hearing how D was so overcome with joy that his neighbors nominated him for this project. He explained that for years, he used his riding mower to tend to his neighbors' lawns until his body just couldn't handle it anymore. We shed tears of joy together; his tears were of gratitude toward us and his neighbors, and my tears were of gratitude that Jeff and I have a gift to share with the people of our community, in turn making it a better place.
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It's not just tree trimming we were giving away; it's peace of mind, it's pride in your home, it's thinking of those around you and taking care of your neighbors. There are good people in this world. 

I hope this story inspires YOU to think about the gifts you have to offer those around you. It doesn't matter if they're big or small, complex or easy, costly or free. Being generous with your time and talent is what truly makes this world a better place. 

~ Amy Grewe

LINCOLN, Neb.—Individuals and organizations from around the state were recognized for tree-planting efforts at the Nebraska State Capitol on April 5. Community forestry awards were given by the Nebraska Forest Service, with first lady Susanne Shore participating in the event. Jessica Kelling, coordinator for the ReTree Nebraska Initiative, said, “It’s amazing how much difference these individuals and organizations have made in their local communities by planting and caring for trees and getting others involved.”  The following individuals and organizations, listed below by hometown, received community forestry awards: