May Newsletter
WGTS Sticker Stop with Tree of Life
We had an amazing afternoon on April 30th, with WGTS 91.9 at Giant Food in Purcellville, where they held a “Sticker Stop” and collected 8,000 diapers for families in need in our area!
The Sticker Stop, which included an on-air interview with Tree of Life, helped bring attention to Tree of Life’s work in the community, the many families in need of support – including diapers – and the new SimplyBe Coffee, which will be opening at Giant soon.
Thank you to WGTS and everyone that stopped by to chat, pray, donate diapers, and support your neighbors in need!
Help Us Make an Impact through Give Local Piedmont
Help Us Make an Impact through Give Local Piedmont
With Tree of Life’s growth into Fauquier County, we are excited to participate in Give Local Piedmont! Give Local helps to connect community members with local causes and raise awareness for nonprofit work.
Our campaign will raise funds for our Piedmont Region Working Hands Ministry – helping two families in need in Marshall and St. Louis.
In St. Louis, Shirley is a widow who has been fighting cancer since 2019. She lives alone in her home that she has occupied for about 60 years and it has a number of maintenance issues that need to be addressed. The needs including painting, cabinet repair, electrical fixes, and some general upkeep. She has worked hard to keep her home neat, tidy, and comfortable, and we are so excited to be able to help with the tasks that she cannot address and make a difference in her quality of life.
Give Local is May 12th, but you can continue to donate to our cause… if you’d like to help us make a difference, click here.
Coffee with a Cop “Sneak Peek” at SimplyBe Coffee in Purcellville
We were so pleased to host a “Sneak Peek” of SimplyBe Coffee at Giant on April 29th for Coffee with a Cop!
Together with the Purcellville Police Department and Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, we offered free coffee and donuts to the community and staff at Giant.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat and support local first responders and #coffeewithacause!
We can’t wait to officially open!
Visit our website here.
The Clothing Closet is coming to Middleburg!
In the next few weeks, we’ll be opening our third location on the corner of Liberty and Federal streets and can’t wait to invite you to visit.
With this new shop, we’ll be able to share our mission more widely and better serve those in need who live in southwestern Loudoun and the northern Fauquier area.
Make sure to follow us on social media for all the updates!
www.facebook.com/toltheclothingcloset
www.instagram.com/theclothingcloset_federal_st
Pickleball Tournament!
Our Pickleball Tournament in April was the biggest yet!
80 participants came out to enjoy some friendly competition and make an impact for their community. They even brought nearly 120 pounds of food to donate to our Eastern Loudoun Food Pantry!
We were able to raise over $13,000, thanks to the players and the amazing businesses that sponsored the event and donated raffle prizes. These funds will directly support our work to serve those in need in the local community.
A huge thank you to our Sponsors:
Bank of Clarke, Innovations For Gospel Impact, Club-K9, Morningside House of Leesburg, Belmont Chiropractic, Trinity Episcopal Church, MASE Training, AllTech Services, Inc., Wegmans, MELT Gourmet Cheeseburgers, Floor & Decor, Sheila James Mackey, KCM Construction Management, and Intalus.
Thank you to everyone who joined for some fellowship and fun and thank you to Lifetime Fitness Ashburn-Sterling for hosting us and all your help with the tournament!
We can’t wait until next year!
Volunteer Highlight
This month, we are highlighting one of the amazing volunteers in our Piedmont Region.. Mary Thornton!
Mary first connected with Tree of Life while helping to establish a food backpack program for a local middle school. Spending time in the Western Loudoun pantry each week, Mary said she “saw firsthand how much they do for the community, and it made me want to get more involved. I was especially excited to learn that TOL was opening a branch in the Piedmont Region, since I attend Trinity Episcopal and love the idea of serving along with my church community.” When she learned that Trinity was hosting our Community Dinner Ministry in the new region, she was eager to sign up.
Mary has also taken on an important leadership role in our upcoming Piedmont Clothing Giveaway, helping to organize volunteers and donations and make a deep impact for local families at the event on May 30th.
We are so grateful for her commitment to helping those in need and serving through Tree of Life!
Donor Spotlight
We are excited to highlight Anna Sudha Community Kitchen as our donor spotlight this month.
As a fellow nonprofit dedicated to addressing food insecurity in our local community, Anna Sudha has been an incredible partner to our Community Dinner Ministry. They have faithfully provided fresh, home-cooked meals to our neighbors in need—often stepping in at the last minute to fill gaps in our Host Group sign-ups.
Their support has made a meaningful impact at our Leesburg dinners, ensuring that every attendee is welcomed with a nourishing meal.
We are deeply grateful for their partnership in serving those in need right here in our community. Thank you, Anna Sudha!
Piedmont Clothing Giveaway
Our 1st Annual Piedmont Region Clothing Giveaway is May 30th!
Join us as we serve those in need locally. We’ll be handing out FREE clothing to all ages – men, women, and children – at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville from 8am – 11am. No registration necessary – just show up!
Want to get involved?
Donate clothing at the POD located across the street from Trinity May 12 – 27
Volunteer to help set up (May 28- 29) or the day of the event (May 30)
Click here for all the details!
Still Waters Spring Fling
Join us for our SPRING FLING!
We are closing out our spring season for Still Waters with our annual Spring Fling event on Friday, May 15th!
Join us for dancing, dessert, fellowship, and fun, all at Purcellville Baptist Church!
Make sure to RSVP here using the button below and feel free to invite some friends!
We can’t wait to see you there!
Get Tee’d Up for TOPGOLF!
FAMILY FUN at TOPGOLF will be back again this August!
Before your summer calendar gets filled with activities, make sure to save the date and join us on August 12th!
This year, we have THREE hours of golf, plus free food and fun at the TOPGOLF in Ashburn – all in support of a great cause!
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!
Find all the info and register here.
Annual Golf Tournament Sept. 21
Calling all golfers!
Join us for a day on the green to support Tree of Life Ministries! Enjoy great golf, community, and a chance to make a difference.
Sponsorship opportunities are available—a great way to promote your business while giving back.
More information and registration is linked here!
Regular Events
Weekly Day Break Bible Study
Thursdays, 11am, Blue Ridge Bible Church until May 21
Storytime at SimplyBe
First FRIDAY of Every Month, 10am
Volunteer Introduction Program:
Monthly – Click HERE for dates and registration.
Full Calendar Here
HOW SHOULD I LOVE
I have many good memories of growing up; many of them centered around my mom. A mother’s love is something special, something to be treasured throughout our lives.
As we approach Mother’s Day, I’m reminded of a love that is even greater. Greater than friendship. Closer than family. In John 15:13, Jesus speaks of this kind of love:
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
We see glimpses of this love in mothers. Like a mama bear, a mother will do everything in her power to protect and care for her children. But there is an even deeper love: the love of God. A Divine love that watches over us wherever we are. A love that redefines what love truly means.
Even on the cross, Jesus demonstrated this love. He said to His mother Mary, “Woman, behold, your son!” And to His disciple John, “Behold, your mother!” Even in His suffering, Jesus was directing and expressing His love—caring, providing, and ensuring that His mother would not be alone.
As we also approach Memorial Day, we are reminded of sacrificial love. Men and women gave their lives so that others might live in freedom. Their sacrifice calls us to remember, to honor, and to reflect on the cost of that love.
Jesus didn’t just speak about “greater love”; He fulfilled it. He laid down His life for us because He loves us.
And if I have received that kind of love, it leads me to ask: How should I love?
For me, love in action reflects what I often call the ministry of presence. It means showing up. Reaching out. Being a listening ear when someone is hurting. It looks like serving others in quiet, gentle ways; without fanfare, without recognition.
So today, let’s honor our mothers by reaching out and being a blessing.
And as we remember mothers who have gone before us and those who gave their lives for our country, let’s also reach out to those they have left behind.
Be Blessed,
Chaplain Wayne Ruckman
