Christmas Tree of Sharing

Christmas Tree of Sharing
“An Opportunity to Brighten the Holidays for Families”
 
Did you know…
 
As SOV has done for many years prior to Covid, we have the opportunity again to provide gifts for three families in need this year from the Lake Hazel School Community.  The Christmas Tree of Sharing with tags will be available to take, Sunday, November 28th and Sunday, December 5th at church.  Wrapped gifts need to be returned by Sunday, December 12th.  Delivery to Lake Hazel will be on December 16th. We have in the past provided three gifts for children which has been two toy/game gifts and one clothing gift.  The adults have often indicated gift cards for food or a family gift like movie tickets, but whatever is given is appreciated.
 
If you do not bring your wrapped gift to SOV on a designated Sunday, you may drop it off during the week when office staff are available to receive it.  Once received, gifts are moved to a secure place for storage.  Please don’t leave a gift unattended or without first notifying someone. 
 
Please do not wrap USED toys and clothing for our Christmas Tree of Sharing, even if you consider them ‘never worn’, ‘nearly new’ or you are ‘re-gifting’ something previously given to you.  There are many other outlets for disposing of those kinds of useful items.
 
Store receipts are requested to be enclosed in the wrapped gift because a specified size indicated on a Tag can include a wide range of “fit” depending on the brand, and due to terms like “tall”, “slim”, “comfort”, “juniors”, and because there might be a need to exchange the gift due to product failure, irregularities, or some other reason. 
 
How much should I spend for each gift?  That is up to you.  It is almost impossible to purchase something for under $20, and the average would seem to be around $35 per Tag, plus additional cost for those who use store-provided wrapping. Some people spend much more, depending on their means and their intentions.
 
What is that?  Oftentimes the gift requests are for brands or styles that are highly contemporary and specific – especially where toys, electronics, and this year’s “hot” items are concerned.  Unless you are a member of that age group you may not understand what it is the Tag is requesting!  Consequently, some families involve their children in the shopping, relying on them to “interpret” what the child is actually asking for.
 
Based on the experiences of previous years, SOV members provide an average of 90 gifts to 35 children valued at approximately $3,500 through the Christmas Tree of Sharing, and contributions of nearly $4,000 to our local Agape Fund.
 
If you lose your tag, change your mind, or are otherwise unable to purchase and wrap a gift by the deadline, please call Pat Stewart at (208)869-6260 so other arrangements can be made to fulfill that child’s gift request.
 
You may also contact the church office to make donations to the Agape fund to help local families.