Christmas is only a few days away, and already we are hearing great stories telling how Angel Tree is transforming the lives of men and women behind bars and their families.
In James Island, South Carolina, Angel Tree volunteers at Harbor View Presbyterian Church have been providing gifts to the children of prisoners on behalf of their parents for many years. And the impact of those gifts is something that they are seeing in their own neighborhood.
“The reason I like the Angel Tree so much is we’re helping people our own community, in our own zip code,” says Sannie Cook, who has participated in Angel Tree for 18 years. Reflecting on her years serving families, she says, “Sometimes in life you just do something, and all of the sudden, it becomes a part of your life.”
To Sannie, the greatest rewards are the letters of thanks the church receives from these prisoners or their kids. “I really appreciate what your church is doing for my babies,” a recent letter reads. “May God continue to bless each and every one of you!”
A church in Roanoke, Virginia, is also having an impact on the lives of families in its community, helping to provide gifts some of the 600 kids in the Roanoke Valley who have a parent behind bars.
Micah Alderman, a young volunteer, says he participates so that other kids “get to be noticed and think that other people know them and want to help them.”
Have you or your church been involved in Angel Tree this year? We’d love to hear your stories! Please click here to share.
