October Newsletter
Clothing with a Cause
All October we’ll be sharing about the impact of the Clothing Closet in our community!
Tree of Life’s Clothing Closet exists to meet a year-round need for free, dignified clothing for families in Loudoun and beyond. What started with one boutique-style thrift shop in Purcellville has now grown to two locations, including Leesburg. Through our voucher program, more than 1,500 people have already received clothing at no cost — an estimated $30,000 in value last year alone.
This ministry is possible because of generous community donations of clothing, shoes, and accessories. Thank you to everyone who continues to support this ministry and local families in need!
If you’d like to learn more or make a financial gift to support this ministry, please click HERE.
WTOP News Visits SimplyBe!
We were so grateful to have WTOP News visit SimplyBe Coffee this month and help share about our mission and our amazing staff.
As part of their “Small Business September,” WTOP stopped by to learn more about how we are making a difference for individuals with disabilities and even got to hear directly from our staff about the work they are doing.
We hope you’ll take a moment to check it out HERE!
Fellowship and Encouragement at the Day Break Picnic
What a beautiful way to close out the summer!
Our Day Break Ministry for senior adults gathered for an End-of-Summer Picnic filled with joy, fellowship, and encouragement. Pastor Cory from Purcellville Baptist Church shared a powerful reminder that God still has a purpose for each of us—no matter the season of life.
We enjoyed delicious lunch, uplifting music, and a time of connection. A special thank you to everyone who joined us and made the day so meaningful.
And congratulations to the lucky winners of the gorgeous handmade quilts from Station Stitchers—such a blessing to share their gifts with our community!
We’re grateful for this ministry and for the way God continues to bring us together.
Boxes of Blessings Ministry Makes an Impact!
September was the first month for Tree of Life’s new ministry, Boxes of Blessings!
Beginning on the 15th, this amazing group of volunteers worked to pack for 40 local families each week, providing much needed fresh and frozen foods and other essentials. As people arrived to pick up their boxes of food, there was so much joy as partners reunited with the volunteers that had been helping them and building relationships with them for years.
We are so grateful to be able to bring this new ministry into Tree of Life, expanding our efforts to fight food insecurity, and provide additional resources to these families.
Race with a Cause!
Join us on Saturday, October 11th and be part of our annual Tree of Life 5K #racewithacause in support of our Shelter Branch, which provides affordable housing, mentoring, and vital resources for families in need right here in our community.
Whether you run, walk, volunteer, or sponsor, your participation makes a lasting impact. Every step helps us provide hope and stability to our neighbors.Sign up today to run or walk, or learn more about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities by clicking the button below!
Volunteers Needed!
We’re looking for volunteer ESL teachers to help members of our community improve their English. This is a wonderful opportunity to build connections, support our neighbors, and make a meaningful impact in a welcoming environment.
No prior teaching experience is required! You just need to be patient, encouraging, and ready to help others practice speaking English. We will provide you with training and teaching materials.
- When: Tuesday evenings, 7:00–8:00 pm (immediately following the TOL Community Dinners)
- Where: Sterling Community Center
- Format: Group class (basic conversational English)
- Commitment: 45 minutes to 1 hour per session
If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact Ladan Judge at ladanjudge@gmail.com
Volunteer Highlight
We have a very special volunteer to highlight this month… Corbin Barton!
Pictured here (center) with his family, Corbin is a local high school student and Eagle Scout who decided to support our Still Waters Ministry for his Eagle Scout project. Corbin organized an amazing event, Loudoun Adaptive Sports Day at the Purcellville Sportsplex, where he invited individuals with special needs to enjoy a special day of fun and games just for them! Corbin organized the whole, bringing in volunteers and other supporters to create a great event.
He even raised $400 to donate directly to the Still Waters Ministry!
Thank you, Corbin, for blessing Tree of Life with this event.
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!
STILL WATERS FALL/WINTER EVENTS
We have so many fun events this October 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:
- Bible Study at Hamilton Baptist Church (10/3)
- SimplyBe Connected at SimplyBe Coffee (10/15)
Make sure you are signed up for our text alerts so you get all the updates – click HERE for more info!
Save the Dates!
Weekly Day Break Bible Study
Thursdays, 11am, Blue Ridge Bible Church
Storytime at SimplyBe
First Wednesday of Every Month, 10am
Breakfast at the Barn with Sprout
Thursday, October 9, 9am
5k #racewithacause
Saturday, October 11, 8am
Volunteer Introduction Program:
Monthly – Click HERE for dates and registration
HOPE FULFILLED
Tree of Life was founded in 2008 and named from Proverbs 13:12: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
None of us set out to defer hope—but when life presses in and the world feels like it’s collapsing around us, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and lose sight of the hope that is still present.
So many who call us are carrying heavy burdens—homelessness, unemployment, deep uncertainty about tomorrow. For them, life can feel hopeless. And when hope is deferred, the heart aches—it grows weary, burdened with worry, shame, and grief.
But into that weary heart God breathes HOPE. Hope whispers that the future still holds promise. Hope renews confidence that we are not forgotten and that everything will one day be made right. Hope fulfills the deep longing of the soul and brings life.
That fulfilled longing is like a tree of life—strong, enduring, and life-giving to all who draw near. And there is only One who can give such life: the very One who created the Tree of Life in Eden and will plant it in the new heaven and new earth described in Revelation.
Jesus Christ is our Tree of Life. He alone fulfills our longings, heals our sick hearts, and restores our hope. Let us lift our voices in praise to Him—the One who is our life, our hope, and our fulfillment!
May you be blessed,
Chaplain Wayne Ruckman
