Angel Tree Shoppers Support the Children of Prisoners

Mississippi College senior Anna Vandercook of New Orleans staffs the Angel Tree table at the school cafeteria on November 21. People can adopt "angels,'' or the children of Mississippi prisoners through mid-December. Wrapped Christmas gifts will go to these kids thanks to donations from the MC family.

Bringing Christmas cheer to children with parents in prison, Mississippi College’s family is again making donations to Angel Tree.

MC’s goal in 2019 is adopting 145 “angels” so clothing, toys, shoes, basketballs and other gifts go to Central Mississippi kids with parents incarcerated.

Students, faculty, staff and university friends are asked to support Angel Tree with donations through December 16 on the Clinton campus.

It’s a holiday season project touching the heart of students like Anna Vandercook. “It’s a great way to spread God’s love,” says the senior from New Orleans, Louisiana. The English Writing major is on track to graduate in May and pursue missions work abroad.

On November 21, Anna staffed a Community Service Center table in the school cafeteria where donations are being accepted.

For 37 years, dollars going to the Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree ministry have made the holidays shine brighter for millions of kids nationwide.

It will cost about $50 for people to adopt one angel. Nationwide, there are 2.2 million men and women incarcerated across the USA.

Receiving wrapped gifts before Christmas will be boys and girls, ages 1 through 18. They live in Central Mississippi communities like Jackson, Clinton, Raymond, Pearl, Brandon and Crystal Springs.

The Mississippi College School of Law also conducts an Angel Tree campaign on its Jackson campus.

Reaching families with the love of Christ, Angel Tree is the largest national outreach for children of prisoners. Many of their parents won’t stay behind bars for decades. An estimated 700,000 men and women in prison will be released to return to their communities each year.

Advocates say the drive helps meet the kids’ emotional and spiritual needs during the holiday season.

Shari Barnes, director of the Community Service Center, says the campaign is open to MC people, but available to friends of the Christian university, too. One area law firm has already adopted 10 angels this Fall.

Once the goal is met, MC will also deliver wrapped gifts to Mustard Seed in Brandon. It is a Christian community serving adults with developmental disabilities.

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