The Outreach Committee at St. Stephen's puts together a "Giving Tree" each year to benefit two organizations - Baldwin Church Center and Troy People Concerned (TPC).
Baldwin Center runs a holiday store for its clients. Various organizations donate gifts during the holiday season, and then the clients can "buy" these items for their family and friends. St. Stephen's contributes about 50-75 items as listed in Baldwin's newsletter. The items are delivered unwrapped with the price tags on or the receipt attached.
Troy People Concerned receives applications from local families who need assistance for what they call their "Holiday Basket Program". After families have been screened and accepted by TPC, they provide various organizations with the family's name & phone number. St. Stephen's helps 2 families plus a senior citizen each holiday season. Each family usually has 4-6 people. We donate practical items as well as "wishes", toys, food, and household staples.
The project begins in early October when the agencies are contacted. Then the families are contacted, and we come up with the ages and gift lists for each family member. The items for both organizations are written on numbered "ornaments." In early December, the tree with these ornaments and a sign-up sheet are put in the gathering area. All items are due back about 3 weeks later. On that final Sunday, the items are checked-in, sorted, wrapped, and delivered about 1 week before Christmas.
The Outreach Committee has often also added a third recipient of Giving Tree gifts when we find out there's a need. In the past, St. Stephen's has sponsored a family from Kosovo, as well as contributed to Oakland Family Services, Rochester Neighborhood House, and Bound Together.
We welcome your participation in any phase of this project!
This page last updated: 05/12/2004