Children poured into the Tree of Life Ministry Center on Thursday, December 22 to have a bite to eat and see a special visitor from the North Pole.  Santa delivered Shoebox Christmas gifts to children on the Rosebud reservation.

“So many are in need this time of year,” said Linda Garriott, director of Tree of Life Ministries in Mission, SD. “These gifts are wonderful. It is the little things that make a difference.”

Over 830 Shoebox Christmas gifts came from several churches across western South Dakota including Pierre First UMC and Rapid City Canyon Lake UMC.

Photos Courtesy of Tree of Life Ministry.

Pierre First UMC delivered over 330 Shoebox Christmas gifts. It was a church wide effort. “We had lots of small groups in the church helping—the youth group, confirmation kids,” said Pastor Dan Bader, Pierre First UMC.  We also had a Cub Scout group come and help. There was one volunteer, Bonnie, who is in her 80s that wrapped over half of the packages.”

The entire effort starts in the early fall.  People in the congregation are asked to bring items, boxes and donate cash.  Lisa Nammenga and Pam Hoepher co-chair the Shoebox Christmas mission at Pierre First UMC.  The team has set up a room that has lots of shelves and tables. Items that are donated are organized on the shelves. The tables are set up for wrapping and filling the shoeboxes.

“There was a group of us that went down to Tree of Life in October and we saw the need.  We talked about and prayed about it and felt that they needed the gifts,” said Lisa Nammenga, Pierre First UMC.

Rapid City Canyon Lake UMC gathered over 300 Shoebox Christmas gifts for Tree of Life. The Native American Heritage Association delivered gifts to Tree of Life in Mission, SD.  The gifts filled an entire pickup and a trailer. On December 22 over 300 turkeys and dinner kits were distributed, children received 830 gifts, 40 gifts went to the elder care center and 120 people were served meals in the Warm Welcome kitchen. All those who helped said the best thing was the kids' smiles when they received their gifts.

“Thank you to all who made this Christmas celebration possible. The children of the Rosebud are blessed by your generosity," said Garriott. “We wish each of you a blessed Christmas and hope to see you online or in person in the new year!”