On a blustery June afternoon, nearly 100 people gathered to dedicate a chestnut tree sapling at Carla Olman Peperzak Middle School in Spokane, Washington. The tree, part of AFC USA’s Sapling Project, was awarded to the school because of the work of Carla Peperzak, the school’s namesake, who saved the lives of dozens of Jews due to her work with the Dutch resistance during World War II.
“Several years ago, Carla reached out to the AFC USA to express an interest in receiving one of our rare Anne Frank saplings,” explains Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather, CEO, “Descendants of the horse chestnut tree that grew outside of the secret annex. Anne wrote three times in her diary about the tree and in her other writings about the comfort she found in nature.”
On November 7, 2024, on Carla’s 101st birthday, AFC USA announced that the Spokane school would in fact be a recipient of one of the beloved saplings. On May 12, 2025, the tree was delivered by a team from Ambius, who picked up the tree from the Vallonia Tree Nursery in Indiana*, where the tree was lovingly nurtured by Bob Hawkins, site manager, and his team.
The June 21th, 2025 dedication ceremony brought Carla’s story full circle. Joined by family, friends and members of the Spokane School District community, Carla expressed her desire for the tree to be a symbol of hope for generations to come. “I keep on just hoping and praying that the tree will live long, and that it will grow into a big one and that future students will be told about this tree.”
Gillian Walnes Perry, an AFC USA ambassador, spoke at the June event. She ended her speech with these words, “And with the spirit of Anne Frank coursing through its branches reminding us to empathize and care for others just as Carla did and to challenge all forms of prejudice and hatred, may it flourish for many years.”
For more information about our Sapling Project visit: Community Initiatives – Anne Frank Center USA
*Don’t miss our special feature on the Vallonia Tree Nursery in October 2025!
