This Christmas, Give a Gift that Keeps Giving All Year Round

When Quovadis Marshall—known to most as "Q"—went to prison, he left behind his then-girlfriend (now wife) and his 2-year-old daughter Kaylee. Knowing he couldn't be there to celebrate Christmas with Kaylee, he signed her up for Angel Tree^®.

Angel Tree provides a way for incarcerated parents to give Christmas presents to their children. Through the program, Q was able to stay connected with his daughter. Today, Q is the pastor of Hope City Church in Waterloo, Iowa. Together, he and his family now serve others through the Angel Tree program.

Through Christmas presents and loving volunteers and churches, Angel Tree takes what begins as a tragedy for many families—the incarceration of their loved one—and turns it into a blessing. Each Angel Tree gift is accompanied by the Gospel message and a personal note from a child's incarcerated mom or dad.

However, Christmas isn't the only time Angel Tree blesses families.

ANGEL TREE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

All year round, Angel Tree churches and volunteers serve the families of incarcerated parents by welcoming them into their churches and programs. They also help the children get involved in camping or a sports clinic. Angel Tree Camping^® provides a way for kids with parents in prison to go to a week-long summer camp. There they meet loving volunteers and other kids like them. Meanwhile, through Angel Tree Sports Clinic™, children with incarcerated parents are made to feel like champions. They learn about life and sports through one-day events with caring coaches and mentors.

Consequently, Angel Tree can help break the cycle of incarceration in families. When incarcerated parents remain connected with their children, the kids are less likely to go to prison themselves. As a result, when that cycle is broken, families grow stronger and communities grow safer.