Angel Tree — making children’s Christmases a little brighter
Do you have a favourite Christmas film?
Mine has to be Elf. It is the feel-good story of Buddy who is on a journey of hope to find his Dad, restore their relationship and ‘save Christmas.’
Recently, I was reminded of the film when I heard Lucy’s Angel Tree story: Lucy’s two children were four and nine years old when their father was sent to prison. Prison Fellowship volunteers bought and wrapped Angel Tree gifts for them. Lucy’s son received some Lego while her daughter was delighted with a sequin cushion set.
Lucy beams, ‘The kids were amazed that Daddy was able to buy them a Christmas present. I told them that the elves snuck into Daddy’s prison, took the presents and left them under our tree!
‘The tags on the presents were in Daddy’s handwriting which was very special and personal.’
And so, you see the incredible impact Angel Tree gifts can have. Each personalised gift costs just £20, including postage and packing. Last year, more than 4,600 children were blessed with a gift from their parent in prison. Can you help us bless even more this year?
From Tuesday 29th November, you have a chance to do just that. Thanks to a group of generous philanthropists who will match every gift we receive until our ‘pledge pot’ is empty, your donation of £20 will buy not just one gift, but two.
At this special time of year, you can give a child an incredible gift— a Christmas present from their parent in prison.
You can double your gift by donating online at prisonfellowship.org.uk/x2 from midday on Tuesday 29th November.
Lucy continues, ‘Angel Tree is such a great programme—particularly for little kids. I was completely unaware of it before my partner went to prison. More people need to know about it! I am fundraising for Angel Tree this year because it helped me and my children when we needed it most.’
And so, back to Elf. Like Buddy, there are so many children this Christmas who are feeling far away from their parent. And, while I cannot claim that Angel Tree can ‘save Christmas,’ I am most certain that across England and Wales, it is not only providing some much-needed joy to the children of people in prison, but it is also strengthening thousands of family relationships.
On top of that, Angel Tree is wonderfully proclaiming God’s unconditional gift of love in Jesus at Christmastime.
I am aware that we are living in difficult times. And I know that for many, Christmas will not be easy this year. But please could I ask you to prayerfully consider what you can give today? Every gift you make before the end of December will be doubled for free. Your generosity will help make another family’s Christmas a little brighter.
Thank you!
