Children at an Angel Tree Christmas party.
Across the nation—and around the world—Angel Tree parties and house deliveries are in full swing, both blessing the children and families of the incarcerated as well as leaving a mark on the volunteers that make it happen.
In Detroit, a local chapter of the sorority Tau Alpha Omega has been hosting Angel Tree parties for the past five years. This year, they provided gifts to three dozen children.
“We don’t want it to be a handout,” said the chapter president Starlett Burrell. “We want it to be a celebration.
In Greensboro, North Carolina, Triad Baptist Church, drew the attention of local WFMY TV for their dedication to the ministry.
“I had run angel trees before for children in need, but this just seemed so much more,” said volunteer Samantha Mueller. “You’re building relationship with that child, trying to break that chain of bondage that might be present in their lives, because sometimes children grow up just like their parents. So hopefully this will intervene and keep that from happening as well as bring that prisoner back to their family and a relationship with them as well as the community in a positive way.”
And in the south (the far, far south), New Zealand’s Angel Tree volunteers (video included) have already started reaching families with Christmas gifts and the Good News.
“It’s really about the love of Christ, that’s why we do it. It’s about sharing the love with people and serving the community,” said Peter Rakanui of Prison Fellowship New Zealand.
One of the families that Peter has connected with Angel Tree is headed by a grandmother who takes care of 13 grandchildren who have parents in prison.
There are still children who are waiting to receive gifts from their parents but have not been assigned yet. If you live in one of these areas, you can help!