June Newsletter
Piedmont Clothing Giveaway
On Saturday, we held the first Clothing Giveaway in our Piedmont Region at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville. More than 130 people were blessed with clothing for the whole family and, most importantly, heard the Gospel message. We were able to pray and connect with each person and provide information about Tree of Life’s other resources that are now available in their area.
We want to say a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers and donors that made this event possible. Countless bags of clothing were dropped off in Upperville and Purcellville and we had 40 volunteers assist with set-up, sorting, and helping attendees on the day of the event. These volunteers shared some special moments of support and encouragement with those we were serving and truly made an impact for God’s Kingdom.
Thank you all for your faithful commitment to this community!
SimplyBe Coffee is Open in Purcellville!
We are so excited to let you know that SimplyBe Coffee at the Giant in Purcellville is now open!
The shop expands access to employment for individuals with disabilities while providing a place for the community to gather and support #CoffeeWithACause.
At SimplyBe, our staff can “simply be” themselves… wonderfully made!
This new location will have the same great coffee as our Leesburg shop, as well as many of the treats – including our monthly specials!
Customers can also use their Coffee Club memberships at both the Leesburg and Purcellville locations… in fact, in celebration of the new location, we are raffling off a FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to our coffee club! Click the button below to enter – all proceeds support our mission.
We’ll hope you’ll come see us soon at SimplyBe, where every cup helps provide work opportunities for individuals with special needs.
Annual Still Waters Spring Fling
There was so much joy at our annual Still Waters Spring Fling Dance!
We welcomed about 100 guests, including parents and caregivers, to Purcellville Baptist Church for a fantastic time of dancing and dessert. So many friendships are planted and grown at these events, and we loved seeing new and familiar faces.
Thank you to all the volunteers that helped make this such a special night for our attendees and their families!
The Clothing Closet in Middleburg
Renovations are complete and our Middleburg Clothing Closet will be opening this month!
Help us get ready for the community by donating your gently used SUMMER clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and children. Donation hours will vary each week until we open, so make sure you are following us on social media!
Instagram: @theclothingcloset_federal_st
Facebook: @toltheclothingcloset
We are so excited to be a part of the Middleburg community and expand our mission to a third location!
Stories of Impact
Giving Back: Blanche’s Story of Gratitude
If you’ve visited Tree of Life’s (TOL) Western Loudoun Center recently, you may have seen Ms. Blanche Price at a community dinner or dropping off food at the pantry. She first got involved to support the people at TOL who helped her during a difficult season in life — but along the way, she found much more.
When Price moved to Purcellville, she was facing serious financial challenges. “Unfortunately, I was on disability and I had to have three surgeries, so I was not working and I wasn’t making a lot of money… I had to go from an apartment to renting a bedroom with a private bath.”
Her medical issues played a major role in her financial struggles. “I needed to have right knee surgery [originally]…And then I ended up falling and had to have left knee surgery and left shoulder surgery,” added Price.
During this time, she was also searching for a church near her new home. “I ended up going to Purcellville Baptist Church and I loved it.” There, she met someone who connected her with Tree of Life. “A person that works [at Tree of Life], Richie Soltas, also goes to [Purcellville Baptist]. He was telling me more about it, and that’s how I found out about Tree of Life.”…
We Are Hiring
Our Eastern Loudoun Food Pantry is hiring a Food Pantry Coordinator to assist the pantry manager with day to day tasks and help with volunteer coordination.
This position is part-time and will involve occasional Saturday hours. Ideal candidates will have strong organizational and communication skills. Spanish language skills are a huge plus!
Please note, applicants must be comfortable on their feet for most of their shift, able to handle a variety of physical tasks, and capable of lifting 25lbs on a regular basis.
If you feel called to share the love of Christ daily and make a meaningful impact in your local community, we’d love to hear from you.
Please email Tanvi Skiba, our Eastern Loudoun Regional Director: tskiba@tolministries.org.
Volunteer Highlight
This month we are excited to highlight our faithful volunteer, Jim, who has become instrumental in supporting our Western Loudoun Food Pantry!
Jim is the very definition of someone who “fills in the gaps.” He shows up week after week and is always willing to jump into the projects that are often overlooked, unglamorous, or simply need to get done.
The first time we met Jim, he immediately stepped in to help us organize and make room for a large donation we had received but didn’t have space to store. More recently, he could be found trimming the vines that were beginning to overtake the side of our building—just another example of him quietly taking initiative wherever help is needed.
Jim’s talents, servant-hearted attitude, and strong work ethic have been an incredible blessing to our pantry. Time and again, he sees a need and meets it without being asked, helping our ministry run more smoothly and effectively.
Thank you, Jim!
Donor Spotlight
We would like to recognize MASE Training / MASE Faith Foundation for their unwavering dedication to our ministry.
Together, we’ve worked to combat food insecurity in the Eastern part of the county – most recently during the holidays and over the summer helping families. Their team has also demonstrated tremendous investment in our mission by attending and financially supporting key fundraising events, including our Business Breakfast, Pickleball Tournament, and delivering an impactful message as our Keynote Speaker at our annual Donor Engagement Event.
We are so grateful for their partnership!
Lifeskills Workshop
Our Lifeskills Branch in Piedmont, is holding an Emotional Resilience Workshop for FREE this summer that focuses on buidling practical and spiritual skills.
This 3-session workshop, led by certified counselors from LifeStance Health, will cover a variety of ways to improve resilience and create an action plan for the future. Learn more at the link below or email info@tolministries.org.
We hope you’ll consider joining us!
TOPGOLF Fundraiser!
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.
Golf Tournament
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!
Events
Storytime at SimplyBe
June 5th, 10am, Leesburg
Storytime at SimplyBe
Monday, June 8th, 6:30pm
Loudoun Valley Community Center
Purcellville Cannons Home Run for Hunger Food Drive
Benefiting Tree of Life Food Pantry
Wednesday, June 10th, 5:30-7:30 at Firemans Field
Annual Summer Giveaway
Saturday, August 8th
Purcellville Baptist Church
Volunteer Introduction Program:
Monthly – Click HERE for dates and registration.
Full Calendar Here
GROWING UNDER OUR FATHER’S CARE
June brings us to Father’s Day, and with it comes thoughts of fathers and the influence they have on our lives. Some of us think of fathers who taught us, protected us, encouraged us, corrected us, and walked beside us. Others carry memories that are more difficult. Not every earthly father reflected what fatherhood was meant to be. But every father can point us toward Someone greater: Our Heavenly Father.
Scripture reminds us in Hebrews 12:7: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?”
When I think about fatherhood, I do not only think about protection and provision; I also think about spiritual growth. Good fathers do not simply want their children comfortable. They want them to mature. They teach responsibility. They correct direction. They celebrate progress. They help their children become who they were created to be. Our Heavenly Father does the same.
Spiritual growth happens over time. It occurs through prayers that are answered, and prayers that we long for God to answer. It occurs through seasons of joy as well as seasons that stretch our faith. It occurs through moments of understanding and moments when we must trust God when we do not understand what He desires.
God’s goal is not merely to make life easier. His goal is to make us more like Jesus. Sometimes that means He allows challenges that deepen our faith. Sometimes He asks us to wait. Sometimes He gently redirects our steps. Not because He is distant, but because He is present.
Like a loving father teaching a child to walk, God knows when to hold our hand and when to let us take the next step. Philippians 1:6 gives us this promise: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Our Father is not finished with us. No matter our age, we are still growing.
This Father’s Day, let us thank God for fathers who have guided us. Let us extend grace where fatherhood has fallen short. And most of all, let us look upward and remember that our Heavenly Father continues His good work in us. He is patient. He is faithful. He is growing us into the likeness of His Son.
May we continue to walk closely with our Heavenly Father and trust where He leads.
Be Blessed,
Chaplain Wayne Ruckman
