“Three Trees” event provided new toys, new shoes, and Christmas dinner for nearly 300 local families in need
The 13thAnnual Three Trees event hosted by The Heights Baptist Church recently served 294 low-income families who live in North Dallas and Richardson. More than 90 percent of the 1,088 children served are enrolled in Richardson ISD and most attend Bukhair Elementary.
“Three Trees is an opportunity for our church to love on the community around us,” said Richard Covington, missions pastor for The Heights. “Dr. Gary Singleton, our senior pastor, challenged our church members and staff several years ago when he asked the question, ‘would our community even notice if our church ceased to exist?’ As a congregation, we determined we needed to serve our community better, and this event was born 13 years ago. Each year it has grown to serve even more families.”
Volunteers from The Heights played games with the children, led them in crafts and decorating their own family Christmas tree, which the family boxed up and took home with them at the end of the event. Volunteers also took a photo of each family, which was placed in a frame and delivered to the families before they left that day.
Each family also received a bag loaded with Christmas presents for each child, a gift card for shoes for each child, and a gift card to buy the family’s Christmas dinner. The Heights members donated nearly $60,000 in cash and gifts for this year’s event.
Three Trees was named after a children’s book that traces the significance of three trees in the life of Jesus: from the manger to a fishing boat, and ultimately to a wooden cross. https://bible.org/illustration/story-three-trees
The Heights will hold Candlelight Christmas Eve services at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. December 24thin the Worship Center. There will be Christmas carols, a special “Be Christmas” message, a time for kids, and the lighting of the candles. Childcare is available for ages from birth to three-years-old.
Founded in 1956, the Heights is located at 201 W. Renner Road at U.S. 75 (Central Expressway) in Richardson. More information at http://www.theheights.org.