Angel Tree Spreads Christmas Cheer to Needy Central Mississippi Children

For nearly 30 years, Angel Tree has spread Christmas cheer to nine million children in the USA with one or both parents in prison.

At Mississippi College’s Angel Tree program, faculty, staff and students are seeking to reach 130 needy children with loved ones behind bars in the Magnolia State.

The aim is to show the love of Christ to kids by giving them such things as toys, clothing and shoes, says Shari Barnes, director of MC’s Community Service Center. Last year, more than 15 bikes were donated to the cause at the Christian university.

In past years, children receiving assistance have come from Clinton, Jackson, Hazlehurst, Canton, and other nearby communities in the metro area.

An Angel Tree table in the Mississippi College cafeteria is the place to stop to pick up an angel and make a donation. All gifts must be turned into the Community Service Center by December 11^th.

“Please help us make Christmas special this year for these children,’’ Barnes said. In recent years, she’s  delivered some of the donated items to the families in Central Mississippi.

At the moment, there are 2.3 million offenders in prisons across the USA. Reports show 95 percent of the U.S. prisoners will eventually get released, but two out of every three end up returning to prison.

 With the nation’s economy in bad shape, needs are tremendous during the holiday season for children, say leaders of Prison Fellowship organization. The group sponsors the national Angel Tree program.

For more information, contact Shari Barnes at 601-925-3267 or sbarnes@mc.edu