Angel Tree 2013

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 Northridge an opportunity to share Christ’s love by helping to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the families of prisoners.

The Angel Tree process if fairly simple, but extremely rewarding. For each child you receive, you will contact the caregiving family to confirm their desire to receive a gift and set up a delivery time. Then you will purchase and wrap a gift with a value between $15 and $25. Finally, you will deliver the gift on behalf of the incarcerated parent, along with a Bible or other materials to share the Gospel with these children. In doing all of this, you share the love of Jesus Christ and help maintain or mend a relationship between a child and a parent in prison.

If you, your family or your community group would like to be the hands and feet of Jesus this Christmas by purchasing a gift for these children, please contact Joshua at agencyrep.northridge@gmail.com for more information or fill out a sign-up sheet at the Information Center at either the Greece or Irondequoit campuses.

Wet Your Feet with Angel Tree

Another great way to wet your feet in service this Christmas is to adopt a child for Christmas with Angel Tree.  Adopt one or multiple children who's parent is in prison.  Purchase and deliver Christmas gifts to them on behalf of their incarcerated parent.  See www.angeltree.org for more details.

Email agencyrep.northridge@gmail.com by Dec. 1st letting us know how many children you/your family/your community group would like to donate.

(Of course, this will not be the last notice about Angel Tree 2013)

What Northridgers Said About Angel Tree 2012

19 Children to Adopt

"Every child has a story. For 1.7 million American children, that story is filled with the abandonment, loneliness, and shame that comes from having a mom or dad in prison. At Angel Tree, we find ways to reach out to these children, by sharing Christ's love with them at Christmas and by developing year-round relationships. In the end, it's so much more than giving Christmas gifts-it's about restoring families."




This year Northridge has committed to provide Christmas gifts for 19 children in Rochester whose parent is currently in prison.  We look forward to being a part of sharing Christ's love to these families this Christmas season and beyond.

Are you, your family and/or your community group interested in helping Northridge fulfill its commitment by adopting a child for Christmas?

Here are the technical details:

• Each child should receive one toy and/or one article of clothing.
• Toy categories, ages, and gender are provided for each child.
• The gifts should total between $15-$25

• Process
• Contact the Northridge Agency Rep via this blog or email (agencyrep.northridge@gmail.com) with the number of children you/your group would like to adopt by Dec. 1st.
• Once you receive information on the children, contact the caregiver listed to:
• Introduce yourself and your involvement with Angel Tree
• Confirm their current address
• Confirm that the suggested toy category matches the child
• To set up a gift delivery date
• Purchase the gifts
• Call the caregiver to confirm delivery date a few days before.
• Deliver gifts
• Go as a group
• Optional: Take pictures of the children receiving the gifts to send to the incarcerated parent.
• Prior permission required
• Try to get to know the family
• Invite the family to church or other event to continue building relationships
• Write to the incarcerated parent letting them know how the delivery went and to encourage them as well.
• Follow up with your Angel Tree families throughout the year
• birthday cards
• invitations to events
• become a pen-pal with the children/parents
• etc.

An Interview with the Gavenda & Hibbard Community Group

Name of Community Group:

Gavenda/Hibbard 

Where Did You Serve?

Angel Tree

What Did You Do While There?

Request was made by a prisoner in Texas who has a wife & 5 children living in Rochester.  He was requesting Christmas gifts for his children.  We delivered those gifts, took some pictures of the family and sent a letter and pictures to the father.

What Did You Enjoy About Your Experience?

We delivered the gifts to the family's home and soon realized there was more God wanted us to do for this family!  Since that time, they have attended our church several times, and the smaller children went to our church's Easter egg hunt.  It's a great way to introduce a family to our church!

We have also been corresponding with the father who is still in prison.  He wants to have a better understanding of God and His Word.  Last month he requested a study bible because for months he has been waiting to join the prison's bible study, so we sent him one.  We just heard that he has started a bible study in prison!!  He has requested a bible dictionary so we sent him one today.  The joy of this experiences is continuing for our group.  Praise God!

Why Would You Recommend Others to Serve Where You Did?

It has been a joy to serve in this way.  It's always amazing to witness God's plan unfolding.  This family has been a tremendous blessing to our group.

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Want to help out with Angel Tree this year?  Email our Angel Tree Agency Rep, Scott Bixby, at sbixby@northridgerochester.com or comment on this blog post.  You'll get paired with a family in November.  This is a great volunteer opportunity for small groups and families.  Even the kiddos can get involved!