MC Launches Angel Tree Drive to Help Children

MC senior Anna Vandercook of New Orleans is pictured at the Angel Tree table in November 2019.

Angel Tree supporters share the love of Christ with the children of USA prisoners. Mississippi College students, faculty and staff are once again contributing to this good cause.

 The Angel Tree drive began in early November at the Baptist-affiliated university.

 MC’s Community Service Center staff is leading the way. For 38 years, dollars going to the Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree ministry have made the holidays shine brighter for millions of kids with parents behind bars.

It will cost about $50 for people to adopt one angel. But a little less will be accepted. Nationwide, there are 2.2 million men and women incarcerated across the nation. Receiving wrapped presents before the Christmas holidays in Central Mississippi communities will be boys and girls, ages 1 through 18.

Mississippi College will have 125 Angels ready to be sponsored, says Community Service Center director Shari Barnes. Over the years, kids receive basketballs, shoes, games, books, shirts and much more as Christmas gifts.

The Angel Tree schedule is a little different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and university leaders adjusting the calendar. “If you are a student sponsoring a child, then we will need your gifts before you leave campus for Thanksgiving,’’ Barnes said.

Faculty and staff will have until December 11 to make donations to the campaign. Kids in communities like Clinton, Jackson, Crystal Springs, Brandon and Pearl receive Angel Tree Christmas gifts from one year to the next.

“I feel this annual charity is a blessing in disguise because we are providing for children," says MC junior Macia Outlaw of Brandon.

By blessing the children of prisoners, Angel Tree, she said, is “shining a light on the positive outlook on life despite COVID and their loved ones in an unfortunate situation. This is not an act of humans, this is only God," Outlaw added.

A future physician and member of Word of Life Church in Flowood, Outlaw says Angel Tree is one of her favorite activities on campus. “This is priceless!’’

Angel Tree campaigns are happening this fall on the Clinton campus and at the MC Law School in Jackson.

For additional details, contact Shari Barnes at sbarnes@mc.edu or call 601-259-5573.