February 2025 Newsletter
BIG NEWS!
We are excited to announce that our Leesburg and Sterling Centers will be consolidating into ONE LOCATION in Ashburn! This move will help us streamline our efforts to better serve the Eastern Loudoun community, particularly in terms of food pantry assistance.
The Sterling Center will be moving first, and we hope to have pantry operations up and running for grocery deliveries and food donations as of February 20th. Leesburg Operations will be moved in March.
If you’d like to help us with this big move, click HERE to volunteer! It’s going to take many hands to make this a success, so we would love your support.
>> For more information about the consolidation and operations at the new location, click the button below.
You can also reach out to our Regional Director for Eastern Loudoun, Rich Shipe, at rshipe@tolministries.org.
New Eastern Loudoun Center: 45189 Research Place, Bldg A, Ashburn, VA
Learn more here: Eastern Loudoun Center Consolidation – Tree of Life
Day Break
Our 3rd Annual Day Break Chili Bowl at Purcellville Baptist Church was a huge hit once again!
With 35 attendees, 8 chili entries, lots of sports trivia, and 4 amazing speakers, it had all the ingredients for a great time! We are so grateful to Barry Cates from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the three student speakers that shared their testimony and work with FCA. These intergenerational connections are so impactful, and we really appreciate them taking the time to speak with the group.
Another big thank you to PBC for hosting the event and judging the chili! It was no easy task with so many great entries. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this fun event for senior adults!
Join us February 25th for the Day Break Tech Education Event where we’ll have local high school students answer questions about smart devices.
Spirit of Giving Night!
What a fantastic first “Spirit of Giving Night” at Loudoun Golf & Country Club!
Thank you to everyone that came out to support us… it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces! And a huge thank you to the Country Club for hosting this wonderful night… can’t wait until next time!
Class is in Session!
All locations of our English Classes are back for 2025! Both Sterling and Leesburg started up in January, but there’s still space available. Purcellville classes resume on Thursday, Feburary 13th. These classes are FREE and support all levels of learning.
We’ve been so grateful for the impact these classes have had on our students… one student in Sterling was so grateful for the help improving his English that he bought his teacher a hat from one of her favorites teams!
The full schedule with times and locations is on our calendar:
Volunteer Highlight
This month we want to highlight Jill and Mary, two of our faithful Sterling volunteers!
Mary and Jill first started serving in our clothing ministry in Sterling providing much need help keeping donations organized. They have since focused on the Sterling Pantry and have served with enthusiasm and attention to detail, making themselves available almost every week. They typically tackle each task as a team and thereby accomplish a lot in a short window of time. Their dedication is such a blessing!
We are delighted that they’re part of our TOL team – thank you, Jill and Mary!
Donor Spotlight!
Our Donor Spotlight this month is Chambers Theory Property Management!
We have been thrilled to have Chambers Theory support Tree of Life in 2024 through sponsoring our annual TopGolf event, as well as participation in our Pickleball Tournament and 5K race. Their commitment to giving back to the community, both in Loudoun and beyond, has been such a blessing.
We have loved working with them and other local businesses to help those in need right here in our community and are so grateful for these types of partnerships.
Thank you, Chambers Theory!
Annual Axe Throwing Fundraiser
Registration is now open!
Join us at our Annual Axe Throwing Fundraiser on February 22nd, at Elysium Axe Bar… this fun event is great for families, teams, coworkers, friends, and more! Your registration includes 1.5 hours of throwing, appetizers, and one beverage.
We hope you’ll join us and have some fun all while supporting a great cause!
Register here: https://www.tolministries.org/event/axe-throwing-fundraiser-2025/
Still Waters Events
Our Still Waters Ministry calendar for 2025 is already in full swing! Check out these awesome events:
Valentines Bingo & Pizza Night – 2/10
Bowling at the Branch – 2/17
SimplyBe Connected – 2/19
Skating Party – 3/3
Bible Study & Respite Program – 3/7 (register here)
Chic-fil-a Night 3/17
Easter Bingo and Taco Night 3/31
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.
SPECIAL VALENTINE’S EVENTS!
Save the Dates!
Weekly Day Break Bible Study
Thursdays, 11am, Blue Ridge Bible Church
Day Break Tech Education Event
Tuesday, February 25th, Tree of Life Center – Purcellville
Pickleball Tournament
Saturday, April 26th, Lifetime Ashburn-Sterling
Volunteer Introduction Program:
Monthly – Click HERE for dates and registration.
WHAT IS LOVE?
February is traditionally a month associated with love. The dictionary offers these definitions of love: an intense feeling of deep affection, or a great interest or pleasure.
1 John 4:16 defines love for us: “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
The Bible tells us that love has purpose: “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is, so also are we in this world” (1 John 4:17).
Love has action: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
Love has intent: “And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it” (2 John 1:6).
Let’s make every day a day that we show our love for Jesus Christ by obeying Him. Through the Holy Spirit, we demonstrate the love of God to others, for God is love.
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 Donate here.
