“Fearfully and wonderfully made!”

– Psalm 139 –

SimplyBe Coffee opened its doors in December 2020, with the cause of extending employment opportunities to individuals with special needs. We provide a place where they can “simply be” themselves… wonderfully made!

Since that day, more than 30 adults with disabilities have been employed as staff or volunteers and learned important work and social skills that help expand their opportunities beyond our coffee shop.

One of our long time volunteers, Max, shared with us that his skills “have grown A LOT while working SimplyBe, I’ve learned to work quicker, and pay attention to what I’m doing more.”

By providing an inclusive and accommodating work environment, we not only empower them to gain new skills and to contribute their unique strengths and perspectives, but we also enrich our community as a whole. Customers repeatedly say that a visit to SimplyBe can change their whole day!

What many people may not realize is that SimplyBe needs the support of donations to keep our doors open and continue this ministry.  We ask that you prayerfully consider supporting this amazing cause – you can find more information and donate by clicking HERE.

 

Feeding Loudoun

So far this year, we have delivered over 120,000 lbs of food to people in need in Loudoun County.  We could not do this without so many people generously donating food to our pantries.

We’ve seen an amazing response to our Fill-the-Truck events where volunteers go out to local grocery stores, tell people about Tree of Life, and ask them to pick up a few items during their grocery shopping. Just this past weekend, Terraforma Church went to two different grocery store locations and collected over 2,700 lbs of food for our pantries! A HUGE thank you to them!

Additionally, the reactions of shoppers who donate has blown us away, with one woman tearfully telling the volunteers…

A year earlier she had been homeless and without food.  Tree of Life helped her, and she was grateful to be able to donate.

Thank you to all our volunteers and donors who help us feed Loudoun every week!

 

Nurses at Work!

This summer, an amazing group of nursing students started volunteering with Tree of Life in our Healthcare Branch. Organized by our Healthcare Directors, Deb and Tina, these students have attended community dinners across our three regions, where they have shared nutritional and healthy plate tips. By providing information about all the food groups and how balancing each one will aid in positive health, they’ve led active discussions on how small changes can improve one’s overall health. They visited our respective pantries and worked to pack healthy food and nutritional items in grocery deliveries for our partners. And, they also presented to our Transitional Housing ladies and mentor group to discuss nutrition, a healthy diet, and fitness advice.

We are so grateful for this partnership!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT!

Jim and Cindy Larscheid have been dedicated volunteers in our Sterling region since it started in 2021. They were instrumental in launching our Food Branch in the region and continue to faithfully lead our Sterling Community Dinner every Tuesday evening. Together they have logged more than 1,500 volunteer hours serving at Tree of Life!!

We are so grateful for their commitment to serving and for the hundreds of other volunteers who make what we do possible.

Thank you, Jim and Cindy!

Thanksgiving Together!

Tree of Life is once again hosting our Thanksgiving Together event on Thanksgiving day at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Purcellville. This wonderful event provides people from across the area a place to find a traditional, hot, turkey dinner, as well as fellowship and prayer.  Anyone in need may come and either take a dinner to go, or eat with us at the church… we hope you’ll join us!

This event take many hands to make a success – if you’d like to help out, click “Want to Help” to find out how you can get involved.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

WINTER IS COMING!

Help us provide warm coats and winter gear to people in need. We’ll be working directly with families to provide coats, hats, and gloves, as well as coordinating with local schools to make sure all the kiddos have a coat this year. We hope you’ll considering donating!

Donation Drop Off Information:

Tuesday – Friday, 10am-2pm

• Purcellville Center – 210 N 21st Street
• The Clothing Closet, Leesburg – 208 Church Street, SE
• Sterling Center – 1319 Shepard Drive, Unit 100

For more information, please email info@tolministries.org.

A great way to support your community…

Tree of Life’s Sterling and Leesburg regions are looking for both Branch Director and Ministry Leader volunteers. These positions provide an amazing opportunity to work directly with people in need in our community and help make an impact in reaching out to the poor and needy with the love of Jesus Christ.  For more information, email info@tolministries.org

Save the Dates!

Weekly DayBreak Bible Study

Blue Ridge Bible Church, Thursdays, 11am

Thanksgiving Together

Purcellville, 11/23

Volunteer Introduction Program:

Sterling 11/30

Christmas for Others

December in all three regions! Stay tuned…

 

 

THANKSGIVING

As we approach Thanksgiving, I’d like to share a verse about this very subject:

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.  2 Corinthians 9:11

We are instructed to be thankful and, according to this verse, this ignites within us the ability to be generous.  This generosity is enriching and helps us grow in Christ.

When I think about how God helps us grow and what I am thankful for, I think about these things:

• All of the time and financial resources we pour into our children (and other people’s children), friends, and neighbors, helping them grow in the Lord.

• All of the time and financial resources our parents poured into us!

• All of the time and financial resources our volunteers and donors pour into our partners at Tree of Life!

This November, we thank you for your abundant blessing of pouring into the poor and needy at Tree of Life.  I spend much time with our partners, and they constantly remind me of how thankful they are that Tree of Life exists.  From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a blessing!

With Much Thanksgiving,
Chaplain Wayne Ruckman