Angel Tree is a Prison Fellowship Program that provides Christmas toys to prisoners’ children who might otherwise be overlooked during the Christmas Season. When mothers and fathers are behind bars, their children also do hard time.

While Prison Fellowship coordinates the program, it is very much a combined effort.  Prison chaplains, Christian volunteers, churches, ministry and social service organisations come together to purchase, wrap and deliver over 3000 presents each Christmas to the children of prisoners.

By every measure, prisoners’ children are the most severely at-risk children and youth in New Zealand. They are at a greater risk than other children from child abuse, neglect, illiteracy, crime, violence, incarceration, teen pregnancy, depression, premature death and substance addiction.

We sometimes don’t appreciate that these children are the unwilling victims of crime.  Our efforts go some  way toward linking children with their imprisoned parents.  International  research shows that where imprisoned parents can maintain a link with their children, the children are more likely to respond positively to school and to their parents, and less likely to offend or truant.”

But the positive impact is felt more widely than that.  Prisoners who have neither the money nor mobility to provide Christmas presents, often feel helplessly frustrated when they think of their children during this time.  That in turn can result in anti-social behaviour, withdrawal, and depression.  It provides a crucial link between children and their imprisoned parents.

The beauty of this programme is that it involves churches across the denominational range at a level with which they are comfortable. Some churches put significant energy into purchasing and wrapping presents, but are reluctant to deliver presents to the homes of the children. Others who may have difficulty finding the funds to purchase presents are more than willing to deliver them. Churches, as well as individuals, have their own unique identity, and we involve them in their areas of strength.

The ‘delivery’ churches often have the same ethnic and socio-economic profile as the inmates. The programme is taking on an international flavour, with Prison Fellowship delivering presents from parents in Australia, and sending presents overseas on behalf of those inmates from other countries. Our links with Prison Fellowship Ministries in 120 other countries make this possible. Angel Tree is a wonderful way to express Christ’s love. It may help open hearts to receive the most important gift, the one God gave to provide us with salvation and forgiveness of sins.