Purcellville, VA — March 11, 2024 — Tree of Life, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving all of Loudoun County, unveiled its new headquarters and Purcellville Center at 115 East Main Street, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Friday, March 8, 2024. This milestone move marks a significant moment for the organization as it continues its mission to reach out to the poor and needy in the community with the love of Christ. The new location will continue to offer the events and ministries that were in operation at the previous space, including a food pantry, weekly free community dinners, English classes, and more.

The ceremony was presided over by newly appointed CEO Susannah Lee, alongside Purcellville Mayor Stanley Milan, Loudoun Chamber of Commerce President Tony Howard, Sherrif Mike Chapman, Purcellville Police Chief Cynthia McAlister, Catoctin District Supervisor Caleb Kershner, and Phyllis Randall, Chair-at-Large of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. In attendance were also several local business owners, pastors, non-profit leaders, as well as Tree of Life volunteers, donors, and other supporters.

The event opened in prayer by Tree of Life’s Chaplain, Wayne Ruckman, who asked that all those who attended the event – whether as a volunteer, staff member, or citizen, be blessed and that the new building may be used to honor God and be a “light in the community.”

Mayor Milan warmly welcomed Tree of Life to Main Street, stating that the relocation will “put them in the forefront so all can see where they are and welcome them with open arms and into the community.” Milan explained the symbolism behind the ribbon cutting and that it is “opening doors for those in need to come to the facility and get the help they need.”

On behalf of Tree of Life, Lee thanked all of those involved presiding over the ceremony, in attendance, all the volunteers and staff, and remarked, “I have often lived by a motto of how you finish something is even more important than how you began it. We closed out a chapter of Tree of Life at the end of February where we spent the last fourteen years of serving the poor and needy in western Loudoun and this part of the county. It became somewhat of an emotional time as we said goodbye to a building of fourteen years and reflected on all the impacts that happened at 210 21st street.”

During her speech, Lee thanked the Murphy family, owners of the Main Street building, who have been so generous in making the move a reality. She also graciously asked former Tree of Life CEO and founder Paul Smith to join her on the stage as she articulated her vision for the forthcoming year and beyond, emphasizing the organization’s unwavering dedication to enhancing the lives of Loudoun County residents begun under Smith’s leadership.

President and CEO of Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, Tony Howard, applauded Tree of Life for their long-standing commitment to the community, stating, “The reason Loudoun County is such a prosperous organization is because organizations like Tree of Life are taking care of those folks that who may have one day been doing just fine and then a misfortune occurs. And you are the folks that are there to support them – today, tomorrow, and in the future.”

Chair Randall closed the ceremony and emphasized that government “cannot and should not” do everything in a community and that the work of non-profit and faith organizations is essential to filling the gaps left by governmental organizations. She praised the dedication of Tree of Life in helping to fill those gaps and for serving those in need in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity, showing them that they are worthy of help and worthy of being part of this community.

The momentous occasion was an opportunity to not only celebrate the organization’s physical move but also to reflect on its impact and enduring commitment to serving Loudoun County. As Tree of Life embarks on this exciting new chapter, it remains steadfast in its commitment to serving those in need through the love of Jesus Christ.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact: jdelgrande@tolministries.org

 

Tree of Life was founded in 2008 to reach out to the poor and needy in our community with the love of Jesus Christ. At that time our service area covered only western Loudoun; we moved into N. 21st Street to house our food pantry in 2011. Over the course of the last 15 years, not only have we expanded to serve all of Loudoun County, with offices and food pantries in Leesburg and Sterling, but we have increased our transitional housing opportunities, opened two Gospel Enterprises, SimplyBe Coffee, and The Clothing Closet, and have the support of 40 churches across the county, as well as businesses, local government, and the wider community. Tree of Life has made over 200,000 service impacts across our five branches; food, lifeskills, shelter, healthcare, and relief, with more than 32,000 of those impacts occurring in 2023 – our highest ever.