The Christmas Tree Lady & Friends began in 2011. One neighbor sought the help of local community members to help a family in need. Through an outpouring of donations, thirteen families received assistance. In the years to follow, several friends joined as a group to ask the community to continue to provide assistance to help families in need with receiving a Christmas Tree or gifts for their loved ones. In five years, close to 200 hundred children and countless other neighbors in need have been touched by the efforts of the community through The Christmas Tree Lady and her helpers.
What We Currently Offer
- Assistance securing a new/used artificial or live Christmas tree: each family chosen through our charity is provided the opportunity to receive either a new or used artificial Christmas tree or a live Christmas tree; that best suits their home. *Decorations may be provided depending on availability and need.
- Assistance with providing Christmas gifts to children: each child chosen through our charity is provided five items from their interest/wish list, 2 new outfits, a new pair of shoes, full stocking, and handmade winter hat.
- Assistance to elderly adults with Christmas Dinner and gifts: each adult chosen through our charity is provided a surprise box donation of items to prepare for Christmas Dinner and several thoughtful gifts to enjoy for the season.
How We Currently Offer Services
- All food, clothing, toy, and gift items are provided via donation or sponsorship by individuals, groups, or businesses such as yourself.
- Individuals or families sign-up or nominate those in need using our website www.tctlnfcharities.com or via our Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/TheChristmasTreeLadynFriends
- Those wishing to provide donations or sponsorship can also contact our charity through our website or Facebook fan page
- All items are sorted and delivered by volunteers (currently four great friends) just before Christmas
What We Wish to Change
- Providing a face-to-face atmosphere for clients as well as donors and sponsors
- Providing a location accessible to the public
- Creating inventory space
- Create New or Partnering services for those in need
The Issues We Hope to Tackle
- We set our sights on bringing awareness to the affects "Material Hardship" in America has on children, families, and adults in today's society: while poverty guidelines in the United States focus on the bottom dollar a family makes, very little interest is set forth in accounting for other economical factors facing individuals in our society.
- We strive to make a change for those dealing with "Social Exclusion" whether young or old: economical factors are a cause of many physical, mental, and behavioral issues many individuals deal with today. Understanding the connections and opening doors to make a change can provide hope.
- We have an interest to further aid other area organizations in alleviating the high numbers associated with providing their services due to high demand: other organizations seek to aid families during the Christmas holiday in a similar fashion and often times find themselves turning individuals or families away. Funds or service availability becomes scarce when the number of people needing the services becomes overwhelming.
We wish to open facilities offering the means to continue to provide our current assets while furthering our reach to those in need by creating enrichment services for ongoing assistance.
Nonprofit Organization
- Filing Fees
Facility Goal
- Local and Accessible
- Storage Space
- Office/Meeting Space
- Sales Floor Opportunities
Enrichment Goals
- Whole Living through lifestyle changes
- Confidence, Inclusion, and Self Worth workshops
- Pay-it-Forward Initiatives
Operating Goals
- Utilities
- Pick-up & Delivery Services
- Adopt-a-Family Project Inventory
- Guest/Workshop Speakers
- General Materials and Supplies
Our services are offered to the residents of Miami County, Indiana free of charge. Those who have no income, are low income, or facing hardship are able to apply for assistance through our charity. Community donations and sponsorship's are the building block upon which we are able to provide the services we offer to our community.
