Going the Extra Mile at Christmas

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

Dick first heard about Angel Tree^® Christmas not at his church but from the prisoners he was mentoring. He has, in his words, "seen it in action on the other side." Dick has served inside prisons for a quarter of a century—since 1996. Now he volunteers alongside a friend named Bob, who teaches Sunday School at their church, Christ Evangelical Presbyterian.

"We've got a standard offer," Dick explains. "We say, 'When you get out of here, if you can make it to our church and go to Bob's Sunday School class, we will buy you lunch and drive you home afterwards.'" They've had many takers over the years, including several men who have become regular attenders.

Because Dick works with incarcerated men, he knows how much it means to them to be able to give a gift to their children. And sometimes, he even gets a reply to his note, like the one he received from a man named Gary.

EXPLODING WITH JOY

"Angel Tree has been part of my family's lives for the last four years," Gary's letter reads. "Each year we were tremendously blessed, but this year was different. Maybe it was because of my children's ages (10 and 8), or maybe it was because of the persons presenting the gifts, but this year was special. When I spoke to my children on the phone, the both of them were exploding with happiness and thankfulness and joy." (See Gary's letter below.)

Dick remembers Gary’s family. They met at a playground outside their apartment because of COVID-19 concerns. Dick recalls that he could tell the children were close to their dad, which is not always the case. And he remembers that he and Betty prayed with them after they gave them their gifts.

"What a happy time it is for everybody when you deliver those presents," Dick says.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

It's not always easy to recruit people to deliver gifts, says Larry Dawson, who coordinates Angel Tree Christmas at Christ Evangelical Presbyterian. Many would rather purchase or organize the presents. But recently, encouragement from the pastors has gone a long way to attract more delivery volunteers—including some members of church staff who assist in a unique way.

"There are certain families that only speak Spanish," Larry explains. "We have several staff members now who are Spanish-speaking and help out with that, both in contacting the families initially and delivering the gifts."

Last year, an Angel Tree family moved 80 miles away to a small rural community. But Larry, who also volunteers at the local prison, was determined that they would get their gifts as usual.

"My wife and I are retired, so we have the time. We just decided we'll make a day trip of it," he says. "They were very appreciative. And we tried a little restaurant that we never heard of to eat lunch. It was a fun excursion."

ADVANCING THE KINGDOM

For Dick, Larry, and their wives, Angel Tree Christmas is worth whatever time and effort it requires.

"It really is a highlight for our year," Larry says. "I see it as a way I can serve God with whatever gifts I have. It is meaningful when we can actually go and spend some time with the families and talk to them and pray with them. I really see it as being used by God to advance the Kingdom of God."

From sending photos to turning deliveries into daytrips, these men are more than happy to go the extra mile. And for incarcerated parents like Gary, these gestures are priceless.