Angel Tree Christmas Gifts is a Prison Fellowship programme 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 programme, 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 4300 presents each Christmas to the children
of prisoners being looked After by some 1800 caregivers.
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 on behalf of prisoners in Australia, India, Hong Kong etc, and
sending presents overseas on behalf of those inmates in NZ prisons
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.
Angel Tree Camps
Angel Tree Camps are a new initiative seeking to offer a safe fun
holiday for the children of prisoners’ past or present who otherwise
would not get these opportunities. They are run in conjunction with
Scripture Union SupaKidz
Funding needs for Angel Tree Programmes
The following are the support costs required to run the Christmas
Gift scheme and Angel Tree Camps
National and Regional Administration costs -$35,000 per year
Child’s present - $25
Child’s place at Camp - $200
We acknowledge all those who sponsored our “Secret Agents” Camp in
Wellington, July 2011
Click below to
download a PDF brochure on Angel Tree
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