October Newsletter
National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month
This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Tree of Life is proud to celebrate the value and talent that individuals with disabilities bring to our workplace and community.
At SimplyBe and the Clothing Closet, we provide employment to 26 individuals with disabilities and volunteer opportunities to more than 20 individuals with disabilities. It is a joy and privilege to provide meaningful opportunities for them to share their talents, grow their skills, and be valued members of our Tree of Life team.
We hope you’ll take time this month to stop in and say hello and let them know how important they are to our community!
Golf Tournament
Our community came together in an amazing way for Tree of Life’s 7th Annual Golf Tournament at Raspberry Falls.
Thanks to the generosity of our golfers, sponsors, local businesses, donors, volunteers, and friends, $24,531.65 was raised to help Tree of Life continue serving local individuals and families in need!
We were especially encouraged by the incredible generosity of our local business community. 35 businesses and individuals donated raffle and silent auction items, with raffle prizes alone valued at more than $7,100! What a wonderful reflection of a community that cares for its neighbors.
A huge THANK YOU to our sponsors:
- Tournament Sponsor: Valley Energy
- Polo Sponsor: Silverado Printing, LLC
- Gift Bag Sponsor: Olivia’s Pet Services
- Lunch Sponsor: Yun Wealth Management Group at RBC Wealth Management
- Breakfast Sponsor: Brody Barrett at Atlantic Coast Mortgage
- Awards Sponsor: United Bank
- Graphics Sponsor: WFR Technologies, Inc.
- $10,000 Hole-in-One Sponsor: CISONow
We are also incredibly grateful to all of our Hole Sponsors, raffle and silent auction donors, volunteers, staff, and the wonderful team at Raspberry Falls for helping make the day such a success.
Most importantly, we thank the Lord for His provision and for bringing together so many people and businesses who care about serving their neighbors. Every sponsorship, donation, volunteer hour, food donation, and act of generosity helps Tree of Life serve those in need with the love of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for continuing to show up for your neighbors in need!
Annual Day Break Picnic
We had a beautiful day at our annual Day Break Picnic!
We started with a couple rounds of BINGO, heard an uplifting message from Pastor Alan Stanford, enjoyed bluegrass music from the Back Creek Valley Boys, and shared some delicious fried chicken! A few lucky attendees even went home with one-of-a-kind quilts from Station Stitchers that were raffled off.
Thank you to everyone that attended and to the amazing volunteers that make this event such a success every year!
Annual Volunteer Dinner
| On Friday, we held our annual Volunteer Dinner to recognize the outstanding work of our amazing volunteers. We changed things up from previous years and gave Volunteer of the Year awards in six categories: Western Loudoun, Eastern Loudoun, Piedmont, The Clothing Closet, SimplyBe Coffee, and Spiritual Care. The six awardees have made such a huge impact in the last year, and in some cases much longer than that. They embody what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing faithfulness, love, and commitment to serving their neighbors in need. Congratulations: Stacy Newman – Western Loudoun Mike Wiegold – Eastern Loudoun Tina Wallace – Piedmont Linda Lawson – the Clothing Closet Max Miller – SimplyBe Coffee Jaye Wiegold – Spiritual Care Thank you for inspiring us all with your servants hearts! |
Donor Spotlight
We are so grateful to once again have the support of Unity Power Services as our event sponsor for our annual #racewithacause!
Their commitment to excellence, teamwork, and giving back to the community continues to shine through their support.
Proceeds from the race will benefit our Shelter Branch, which provides transitional housing, mentoring, free clothing, summer giveaway events, and more for local families in need.
Thank you, Unity Power, for once again partnering with us to bring hope and support to our neighbors!
Thanksgiving Together
Looking to make a difference over the holidays? Check out our annual Thanksgiving Together event in Purcellville!
At Thanksgiving Together, we provide a hot, homecooked Thanksgiving meal for the community… whether a family or individual is struggling to make ends meet, or just need a little fellowship, our event is ready to serve them. Attendees can dine in with us or take food to enjoy at home.
We need lots of volunteers to help make this a success – including cooking food and serving in person the day of – every pair of hands makes an impact!
Check out the link below to sign up.
Thanksgiving Meal Drive
In addition to our Thanksgiving Together event in Purcellville, Tree of Life is also partnering with Christian Fellowship Church in Ashburn to have a turkey and all the fixings delivered to families in Eastern Loudoun!
How you can help:
Donate Food! We are collecting food for the deliveries, which can be dropped off at our Eastern Loudoun Pantry or CFC. See the flyer at the link below.
You can email info@tolministries.org with any questions!
Donate to our Food Pantries
Year round, you can make an impact by supporting our Food Pantries!
We update the needs list every week on our website – and post to social media – to make it easy to know what we are getting low on. You can now also use our Amazon Wishlists to have items delivered directly to the pantry… it’s as easy as one-two-three!
Click the button below to go directly to our Food Pantry webpage.
You can also email info@tolministries.org to set up a food drive!
Race With A Cause
Come #racewithacause!
Our third annual 5k for Shelter is October 17th at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville! This fun, community event welcomes runners (and walkers) of all ages and abilities to come out, enjoy some fresh air, and make a difference for those in need.
All proceeds from this event support Tree of Life’s Shelter Branch, which provides transitional housing, mentoring, clothing, and more to people struggling to make ends meet right here in our community.
Not a runner? You can still make an impact! Sign up to VOLUNTEER! All the info is at the button below.
Still Waters Events
We have so many fun events this month for our Still Waters Ministry! Make sure you click the button below for the most up to date calendar.
Here are a few highlights for the month:
- Bonfire at View of Heaven Farm (10/12)
- BINGO at TOL Purcellville Center (10/30)
Make sure you are signed up for our text alerts so you get all the updates – use the link below for more info!
Day Break Bible Study
Looking for a little encouragement and connection?
Join us at our Day Break Bible Study every Thursday in Purcellville!
We gather to explore God’s Word together, as well as enjoy fellowship and build friendships. Each week, we pray and study and our fantastic teachers help bring new insights and deeper wisdom, as we grow closer to Jesus.
All are welcome and there’s no registration!
Thursdays, 11am
Blue Ridge Bible Church
770 S. 20th St. Purcellville, VA
TRIUMPH IN CHRIST
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession … spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”2 Corinthians 2:14
When I look at my life, I see only what is in front of me. I wonder what will happen next, and sometimes my spirit is unsettled. God sees the whole picture. He knows my past, my present, and my future. Nothing in my life takes Him by surprise.
Paul knew what it was like to feel unsettled. Just before these words of thanks, he wrote that his spirit was not at rest. Yet he could still thank God for the triumph of Christ. His confidence rested in Jesus, even when he did not know what would happen next.
I need that reminder. When I depend only on what I know, fear can fill the gaps in what I cannot see. But Jesus died and rose again. Because He lives, I can bring Him my fears and trust Him with what lies ahead. His victory gives me hope, even while I wait for answers.
Paul says that God spreads the fragrance of knowing Christ through us. I cannot give people all the answers or carry every burden for them. But I can point them to Jesus. I can listen, pray, offer kindness, and share the hope I have found in Him. The life He gives is meant to be shared.
Father, thank You for leading us in Christ. When my spirit is unsettled, help me rest in Your care. Fill me with the knowledge of Jesus and use my words and actions to make Him known to the people around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
May you be blessed,
Chaplain Wayne Ruckman
