March 2025 Newsletter
This March, we are highlighting our Spiritual Care Ministry and asking for your support (click HERE to see video).
Spiritual Care is part of what sets us apart from other non-profits: when you give to Tree of Life, you do more than meet practical needs—you help share the love of Jesus with those who need it most.
We had over 36,000 impacts in 2024… that was 36,000 moments where we could share Jesus’ love with those most in need.
Through prayer, Gospel-centered events, and relationship building, we help others find true freedom in Christ. Our Chaplains play a key role in ensuring Jesus remains at the heart of our outreach.
Community is our front line of care—and we can’t do it without you. Your time, gifts, and support allow us to share compassion and hope with those who need it most. If you are able to give, please click here.
Together in Christ, Caring for our Community.
Eastern Loudoun Update
Great progress continues as we bring our Leesburg and Sterling locations together into our new Eastern Loudoun Center in Ashburn!
All pantry food, supplies, fridges, and more have been moved out of BOTH Leesburg and Sterling! After some final organization, we will be open for business in Ashburn.
Stay tuned… our Hours of Operation will be posted next week! We can’t wait to welcome you to our new space soon!
Thank you to all the volunteers that have made this transition go so smoothly and quickly – we greatly appreciate your support!
Cooking Class
Our Still Waters Ministry had a great time at the “I Can Cook a Rainbow” cooking class with Loudoun Hunger Relief!
This special program helps teach basic kitchen skills and putting together a nutritious meal. With help from both Loudoun Hunger and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Food Volunteers, it is always a great success, and our Still Waters participants love learning to make new foods!
We are so grateful to work with other local non-profits to make an impact for the special needs community. Thank you, Loudoun Hunger and VCE, for this awesome partnership!
Tech Education
At our Day Break Tech Education Event, students from Woodgrove Fellowship Club stepped up to help senior adults navigate their devices – answering questions, trouble-shooting issues, and making technology more accessible for all!
It was an inspiring day of learning, laughter, and connection as all ages came together to share knowledge and build relationships.
Thank you to the incredible students who came out to help and to our seniors for embracing tech with enthusiasm!
Volunteer Highlight
This month we want to highlight Jeff (pictured on the left) for being an all around amazing volunteer!
Jeff helps Tree of Life in so many ways – from driving our truck to make food pickups, making impactful donations, to even outfitting our truck with some new shelving for food deliveries.
His willingness to use his skills and resources to help in any way he can, has truly been a blessing to us and those we serve.
Thank you, Jeff, for your commitment to Tree of Life!
Donor Spotlight
Our Donor Spotlight this month is the Chocolate Palette!
This donor is near and dear to our hearts… the owner, Cheryl, is also our coffee shop manager! Cheryl’s generousity in support of Tree of Life and SimplyBe has been a true blessing. Not only does she give her time, but she regularly donates her amazing chocolate treats for our events. Also, by having Chocolate Palette goodies exclusively available at SimplyBe, she is helping us bring in customers in more ways than one.
We are so grateful for Cheryl’s support and to have her on our team!
Thanks, Chocolate Palette!
Registration is Open!
Get ready to serve up some fun for a great cause!
Registration is now open for our upcoming Pickleball Tournament, benefiting Tree of Life and our mission to serve those in need.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or just love the game, this is a fantastic opportunity to compete, connect, and give back to the community.
STILL WATERS EVENTS
Our Still Waters Ministry has some awesome events coming up, including our new Bible Study and Respite program! Make sure you sign up!
- Bible Study & Respite Program – 3/7 (register here)
- Chic-fil-a Night 3/17
- Easter Bingo and Taco Night 3/31
- Bowilng – 4/4
- Mod Pizza Night w/ Bible Trivia – 4/28
Download the calendar with full event details here. You can also sign up for event notifications via TEXT! Just text TOLStillWaters to 833-491-0002.
Save the Dates!
Weekly Day Break Bible Study
Thursdays, 11am, Blue Ridge Bible Church
Pickleball Tournament
Saturday, April 26th, Lifetime Ashburn-Sterling
Volunteer Introduction Program:
Monthly – Click HERE for dates and registration.
PREPARING FOR EASTER, EVEN THOUGH IT’S ONLY MARCH!
As we enter March, it’s a time we can prepare our hearts for Easter! You might be thinking that Easter is still so far away, but we can never start early enough for things that will be life-changing.
Romans 5:6-8 states, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarecely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Psalm 10:17 states, “LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear…”
What does it mean to prepare for Easter? For me, it means to prepare my heart for all that God has for me to receive this Lenten season. If I see myself as a “receiver” in God’s Kingdom, then I can recognize God as the Great Giver. It is during this season that I reflect on God’s greatest gift—His Son, Jesus Christ.
This is a time for me to reflect on what Jesus has done in my life. This is also a time to reflect on what He is about to do in my life. When I concentrate on Jesus, I can expect Him to do great things in my heart.
Through Jesus, I learn that all my desires are nothing without Him. Through Jesus, I learn that my entire life—all that I am—is dependent on Him.
Through Jesus, I learn what Easter is all about—Easter is about learning that Jesus is the LIFE that transforms my life.
To help us prepare for Easter, I have prepared Lenten devotionals to guide us from Ash Wednesday (March 5) through Good Friday (April 18). You can subscribe to receive these daily inspirational emails by clicking this link.
May you be blessed,
Chaplain Wayne Ruckman
Consider a Donation…
Tree of Life would greatly appreciate your support in reaching out to the poor and needy in our community with the love of Jesus Christ. We ask that you prayerfully consider a one-time or recurring donation to help us continue to serve those in need in Loudoun County.
