10th annual community event provided new toys, new shoes and Christmas Dinner for more than 1,100 children

On December 13th The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson hosted more than 300 low-income families, representing more than 1,100 children, for the 10th annual Three Trees event.

“It’s our great joy to partner with our community to celebrate the Christmas season by sharing Christ’s love,” explained Richard Covington, The Heights Community Minister. “Most of these families come from Bukhair Elementary, a Richardson ISD school where many of our members volunteer throughout the year. Through events like their Fall Festival, Math & Science Night, Field Day, and weekly mentoring sessions, our members have developed meaningful relationships with these kids and their families.”

Hundreds of volunteers from the church entertained the kids while their parents secretly shopped for their children’s Christmas presents. Church members donated thousands of toys, games and gift cards worth more than $75,000. Each family got to select a gift for each of their children, and they received a gift card for new shoes for each child, and a grocery gift card to buy their Christmas dinner. The new Nestle Toll House Cafe at City Line in Richardson donated 1,700 sugar cookies for the kids to decorate while their parents shopped.
 
Guests were requested to donate a food item for the Network Community Ministries of Richardson. More than 700 pounds of food was collected.

“The event gets its name from a children’s story that traces the significance of three trees in the life of Jesus: where one tree is fashioned into a manger; the second tree into a fishing boat; and the third tree becomes the cross. The story reminds us that while things may not seem to be going our way, God has a plan for each of us. If we place our trust in Him, He will give us better gifts than we ever dreamed.”

You can read the “Three Trees” story at https://bible.org/illustration/story-three-trees

“Our pastor, Dr. Gary Singleton, challenged us as a church with the question: ‘If The Heights were to disappear from the corner of Renner Road and Central Expressway, would our community know we were gone?’ After seeing all the love our church poured into these families, I can unequivocally answer: yes.”

The Heights Candlelight Christmas Eve services will be held at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on December 24.

Founded in 1956, the Heights Baptist Church is located at 201 W Renner Road, on the southwest corner of US-75, in Richardson. More info can be found at http://www.theheights.org