June Newsletter 2025
Tree of Life Ribbon Cutting!
Eastern Loudoun Center
On May 8th, we celebrated the official opening of our Eastern Loudoun Center with a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, presided over by the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tony Howard and representatives of the Loudoun Board of Supervisors, including Vice Chair Mike Turner.
This move consolidates our former Sterling and Leesburg locations into a single, larger facility designed to improve operational efficiency, expand outreach, and better serve communities in need.
“Consolidating our two Eastern Loudoun pantries into one was no small feat,” said Susannah Lee, CEO of Tree of Life at the ceremony. “We wanted to do this to give our volunteers, community, and partners one place to come together. So many people have spent tireless hours making this happen and we could not have done this without them.”
The new Ashburn center offers significantly more space than the combined footprint of Tree of Life’s former Sterling and Leesburg locations, positioning the organization for continued growth while also reducing monthly costs. More than just a food pantry, the facility features dedicated office space for the Eastern Loudoun team, a fully equipped conference room, and additional amenities that support collaboration, volunteer coordination, and partner services, all under one roof.
Vice Chair and Ashburn District Supervisor Michael R. Turner, who attended the event, shared his perspective on the importance of nonprofit work in the current climate. “We’re living in turbulent times,” he said. “The work of our non-profit communities, particularly in Loudoun County, which has a robust public service community, is absolutely essential. It must serve as our North Star to guide us through these turbulent waters. Tree of Life is a full-fledged, enthusiastic, and highly respected partner in that journey, and we are very happy to support you in these efforts.”
Read the full press release here.
Still Waters Spring Fling
What a joy-filled night at our annual Still Waters Spring Fling Dance!
Held at Purcellville Baptist Church, the event welcomed over 100 guests, family members, caregivers, and volunteers—all coming together to celebrate this wonderful community. We loved seeing both new faces and old friends enjoying music, dancing, and connection. A special thank you to the Golden Club from Hamilton Baptist Church for serving with such love.
Nights like this remind us of the beauty of belonging and what a blessing it is to serve this community!
Making an Impact: The Clothing Closet
Last December, Lauren Gordon of Leesburg came across a social media post that stopped her in her tracks. Hillary Tattersall, founder of Chick’s Picks by Hillary, had shared a message asking customers to donate their previously loved jewelry to support Tree of Life Ministries’ thrift store, The Clothing Closet.
For Lauren, it was an invitation to honor her late mother’s memory in a meaningful way. “My mother was always dressed to the nines,” Lauren shared. “Shopping was her hobby. She took such pride in how she presented herself. It was a different time.”
After her mother passed away about a year prior, Lauren inherited a large and colorful collection of vintage costume jewelry. The pieces had sat untouched, beautiful reminders of a colorful life. So, when Lauren read Hillary’s post, she knew exactly what to do…
Read more about Lauren’s story and how her generosity has made an impact.
Disability Resource Fair
We were delighted to attend the 4th Annual Disability Resource Fair hosted by the The Arc of Loudoun at the Claude Moore Recreation & Community Center.
This important event gathers organizations from across Loudoun that provide services to the disability community. Free to attend, families, caregivers, providers, and others can come and learn about these organizations and find resources that help provide care, independence, purpose, and belonging for those with special needs.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table to learn more about Tree of Life and SimplyBe Coffee and to the other organizations doing such amazing work for this community!
Volunteer Highlight
This month we want to introduce you to Katie Tully!
Katie, a senior at Woodgrove High School, is an amazing young lady. She graduated from the Academies of Loudoun, is the president of the Woodgrove Fellowship Club, and has been active in serving her community – including helping organize the fellowship club to work with our Day Break Ministry for senior adults for our annual Tech Education Event.
Katie is doing her Capstone project with Tree of Life, helping us to fill the gaps in our volunteer needs. She is assisting with everything from food pantry operations, community dinners, English Classes, and even helping to organize many of our ministry supplies and materials!
She is such a blessing to our ministry and we are so grateful she chose Tree of Life for her Capstone Project!
Thank you, Katie, and good luck at Clemson next year!
Donor Spotlight
This month, we’d like to highlight Keller Williams Realty – Loudoun Gateway group who chose Tree of Life as their RED DAY charity!
This group worked hard to collect food items during their open houses and other events leading up to Red Day. Then on the big day, they lead food drives at two local grocery stores, encouraging shoppers to puchase a donate items for our food pantries and sharing information about Tree of Life.
Later that day, the whole group met at our Eastern Loudoun Pantry to deliver, sort, date, and stock the 602 pounds of food… what an amazing day!
Thank you so much to everyone who participated and for making an impact in this community!
STILL WATERS EVENTS
June is our last month of Still Waters events before our summer break! Make sure get signed up for our event texts so you’re the first to know when the new calendar for Fall is ready.
- Bible and Respite Program – 6/9 (register HERE)
- Watercolor Class – 6/9
- Summer BBQ – 6/23
Save the Dates!
Weekly Day Break Bible Study
Thursdays, 11am, Blue Ridge Bible Church
Storytime at SimplyBe
First Wednesday of Every Month, 10am
Day Break Game Day
Wednesday, July 16, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
TopGolf Fundraiser
Wednesday, August 13, 6pm REGISTER HERE
Annual Summer Giveaway
Saturday, August 16, Purcellville Baptist Church
Volunteer Introduction Program:
Monthly – Click HERE for dates and registration.
HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER
Do you know how long God’s love endures? According to Psalm 136, His love endures FOREVER.
Forever is a long time…in fact, it is BEYOND time. God has no beginning and He has no end. Forever, therefore, is limitless and longer than I can possibly comprehend.
For that kind of everlasting love, we give thanks! Here are some phrases from Psalm 136:
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords
His love endures forever.
When I think of all that He has created for our benefit, I can see just how abundant His love is!
To Him who alone does great wonders
Who by His understanding made the heavens
Who spread out the earth upon the waters
Who made the great lights
The sun to govern the day
The moon and starts to govern the night
His love endures forever.
I then find out how personal that He has remembered me, lifting me from my low estate and giving me freedom:
He remembered us in our low estate
And freed us from our enemies
He gives food to every creature
Give thanks to the God of heaven
His love endures forever
Father God, we thank you and praise you for your love—it indeed endures forever. May Your Name be praised throughout eternity for your everlasting love! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
May you be blessed,
Chaplain Wayne Ruckman
