Lots of organizations and communities operate Angel Trees this time of year, caring for poor and disadvantaged kids and adults. We like to adopt a couple of “angels” each year, and my wife really enjoys shopping for these kids, even though we will never meet them.
The original Angel Tree was founded as part of the Prison Fellowship ministry, by Mary Kay Beard, a former prisoner convicted of bank robbery, among other misdeeds. It’s one thing to not get presents because your parents are poor or disabled; it’s quite another to not get presents because one or both of your parents are behind bars. This was the group of kids God gave Mary Kay Beard a burden for, and she began the Angel Tree ministry in 1982.
The Prison Fellowship Angel Tree is seeking donations to buy gifts for the children of prisoners around the country. Many local companies and organizations organize PFM Angel Tree drives that directly impact prisoners’ children in those local communities. The local Christian talk radio station I listen to is doing just that in the D/FW area.
I encourage my fellow Christians to support this worthwhile ministry. It is not the fault of these children that their parent is behind bars, and this is an opportunity for not only the child to hear the Gospel of our Lord, but their parents as well.