Every child has a story. For 2.7 million American children, that story is filled with the abandonment, loneliness and shame that come from having a mom or dad in prison. For many, it may also include following their parents down the same destructive road to incarceration.
Angel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship, reaches out to the children of inmates and their families with the love of Christ. This unique program gives your church an opportunity to share Christ’s love by helping to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the families of prisoners. PrisonFellowship.org
As we have for many years, Tenth is participating in Project Angel Tree this Christmas season. Here’s a little about the program and ways you can still get involved.
How the Program Works
- Incarcerated parent submits application to prison chaplain.
- Prison Fellowship distributes applications to volunteer churches.
- Church volunteers contact caregivers to get gift requests and sizes.
- Those interested take one or more “Angels” on October 27; the “Angels” have gift ideas, sizes, etc., and are used as gift tags.
- Angel-takers purchase one gift per Angel (total value of about $30), either clothing or toy, depending on the Angel’s instructions.
- Gifts are returned to Tenth Church by November 24.
- Presents are distributed at a party at Tenth, Saturday, December 7, and delivered to those not attending the party on Saturday, December 14.
Purpose of Project Angel Tree at Tenth
- Outreach to at-risk kids—according to Prison Fellowship, 70% of kids with a parent in prison will one day be incarcerated.
- Brings the gospel to families (age-appropriate Bibles to each AT child).
- Christmas gifts are provided on behalf of incarcerated parent.
How You Can Help
- Contribute money toward cost of Bibles that are given to each child (put “AT Bibles” on check memo line).
- Volunteer to be a driver, cook, caroler, table host, or activity planner for the December 7 party or to be on a gift delivery team on December 14.
For information about gifts, contact Alex LinPat Fish or Shirley Stoddard. Please consider how you can show the love of Christ to these children and their incarcerated parents. And don’t forget, if you’re a gift purchaser, please bring your wrapped gift with the original angel tag attached to Tenth Church this Sunday, November 24!