It’s that time of year again when the ‘Santa’s’ are out ringing their bells and every store gives you the opportunity to help a cause. It is the time of year when in our abundance we try and help those who do not have as much.
The Giving Tree at Living Water
Living Water shares their gifts with 8 families in the Northfield Township area through Northfield Human Services. At Living Water the tree will go up on November 17 and gifts will be collected on Sundays, November 24, December 1 and 8.
Northfield Human Services asks that we do not include any Christian material with the gifts. We are able to enclose a special note to a family. We do encourage you to pray for the person or family that you are “adopting.”
The Giving Tree at St. Luke–Ann Arbor and The Chapel
This year, the gifts from St. Luke–Ann Arbor and The Chapel are taken to Wellspring Lutheran Services. (If you are interested, you could check out Operation Christmas Child or other giving options to do personally or with you family.)
St. Luke–Ann Arbor will have a tree in the lobby (across from the Welcome Center), and The Chapel will have its tree at the back of the sanctuary. They will be up on Dec. 1 with tags indicating one of the gifts that are requested. People will take one or more tags on either Dec. 1 or 8 and return the gifts on Dec. 8 or 15.
Last year St. Luke–Ann Arbor collected more than 160 gifts! Linda and Bill Mahler will get the gifts to Wellspring Lutheran Services on Dec. 16 so that they can sort and distribute them before Christmas. Living Water gifts will be sorted and delivered on Dec. 8.
Check out this article from Wellspring Lutheran Services about their Christmas Caring Program.
As you drive around town or shop at local stores, it is easy to see that the seasons are changing. The Halloween decorations have been put away, and the lights from the Christmas trees are shimmering. You are instantly reminded that the Christmas season is quickly approaching.
At Wellspring Lutheran Services, Christmas begins in late September and lasts through December. With hundreds of children and families served at any given moment, we take planning for Christmas very seriously. It is our goal each year to provide a Christmas gift to every individual in our child and family division. This is a huge undertaking, but year after year, we are overwhelmed by the support we receive from congregations and our community partners throughout Michigan.
Last year, Chantel and her family received Christmas gifts from the Christmas Caring Program at Wellspring Lutheran Services. “It still amazes me that someone would take time out of their busy schedule to think about me and my family. We have been going through a very difficult time, and this helped me to remember that there really are good people in this world that want to lend a helping hand to someone in need. Someday, I hope to be in the position to help another family just like someone helped mine,” says Chantel.
“Someday, I hope to be in the position to help another family just like someone helped mine.”
Many supporters ask why we keep our gift limit at $25. This is an important part of the program. Reuniting families is always our number one goal.
As families work together to get themselves back on track, we want to make sure we provide a Christmas they will be able to replicate on their own once they are no longer in our care. It is an important part of treatment for our families. Setting realistic expectations moving forward will help them adapt and grow.
“It is truly remarkable to witness the logistics behind providing Christmas gifts to hundreds of children and families in more than 20 locations throughout Michigan. It definitely takes a village. We are forever grateful for the hundreds of volunteers who generously give of their time and resources in order to bless others at Christmas, “said Jill Haiser, acting director of the Wellspring Lutheran Services Foundation.
We provide a Christmas they will be able to replicate on their own.
If you or someone you know might be interested in helping with the Christmas Caring program, please contact our Christmas Caring Coordinator, Dawn White, at 989‐686‐7650 Ext. 1006.
