Christmas Sharing Trees

It is that time of year again where we buy gifts for those less fortunate than we are. On the ramp, we have 5 Christmas sharing trees for the following organizations/places:

1. 2 Trees for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, one of the poorest reservations in the United States with up to 80% unemployment.  One tree is asking for blankets and sheets, and the other tree has more specific requests for people in need.

2. ICA in conjunction with Resource West:  The resource center addresses services for people in need and creates a place to go where they can receive information and referral services in one location.  Parents have to qualify for this, but when they do, they can come and "shop" for toys for their kids at no cost to them.

3. YWCA Children's Center:  provides full time child care and education for low-income children on East Lake Street in south Minneapolis.  The children, infants through school age are mostly children of single Moms working their way off welfare or of students at South High School or of parents working very low-income jobs.  Most are African American, Latino or African.  Because the families are facing multiple stresses, the gifts we provide are often the children's primary present and, as such are greatly appreciated by the Moms as well as the children.

4. Kwanzaa: This is our sister church in north Minneapolis. This church serves a poor community, many of whom are still suffering from the results of the tornado that hit their neighborhoods this past summer. 

Sharing Tree Rules

1. Select an ornament.

2. Enjoy shopping for the item you selected.

3. Write the cost of the item on the ornament or attach the price tag.

4. Attach the ornament to the item you bought.

5. Bring the item to church on or before the deadline date.

6. Place the unwrapped item in the box below the appropriate tree with the gift receipt, if you have it.

Deadline date for bring presents: December 18