PF Annual Report: Angel Tree
Angel Tree is a Prison Fellowship program that is designed to reach the innocent victims of crime who are often forgotten – children of prisoners. In Victoria, more than 400 gifts were provided at Christmas 2004.
Angel Tree is a Prison Fellowship program that is designed to reach the
innocent victims of crime who are often forgotten – children of
prisoners. Being separated from their parents at Christmas time is a
painful experience. Angel Tree touches those children with the love of
Christ at Christmas by providing them with special Christmas gifts.
The gifts (or donations to buy a gift) are donated by churches and individuals. Once collected they are wrapped and distributed to children in family homes or at Christmas parties held in some prisons. This activity helps to maintain family linkages, and gives some degree of support to partners and carers who are looking after the children.
More than 400 gifts were provided at Christmas 2004. Michael and Gloria Viljoen who have coordinated Angel Tree for some years, attended a Christmas party held at HM Prison Barwon. They continue the story:
"After the mandatory security checks at the gatehouse we were escorted to the Visit Centre. Listening to the Christmas Carols being played and looking around the room; it was difficult to believe that this festively decorated room was in the highest security prison in Victoria. The prisoners had done a superb job of making colourful paper chains, which hung from the ceiling. In the corner was a huge Christmas Tree and a broad armchair covered in green velvety material ready for Santa.
Into this atmosphere came 200 excited children, mothers, and grandparents. It was encouraging to see some Muslim families among them. Then the long anticipated moment.with a loud fanfare, a red faced Santa, with a real snow-white beard and hair arrived. Some of the children could not resist the temptation to check that his beard was indeed real! First of all the handcrafted wooden toys, made by prisoners at Barwon and specially wrapped, were handed out to their children.
There was a mixture of excitment and expressions as the children opened these gifts. We especially noticed the look of pride on the face of a father as his little girl opened his gift, a beautifully made wooden box lined with green felt. The Angel Tree gifts came next. A variety of gifts were opened around the room - footy, soccer and netballs, cricket bats, CD's, kites, dolls etc. Bratz dolls were all the rage last Christmas. Many families also took the opportunity to have photos taken with Santa.
The most rewarding aspect of the afternoon was to see the interaction between the families - fathers, mothers and children sharing precious time together. With this came the realisation that this was more than a party, it was an opportunity for these families to progress on their journey of rebuilding relationships.
- Ashlee
A girl who attended the party:
"I miss my dad. I miss him even more at Christmas. I'm so excited to see him"
The gifts (or donations to buy a gift) are donated by churches and individuals. Once collected they are wrapped and distributed to children in family homes or at Christmas parties held in some prisons. This activity helps to maintain family linkages, and gives some degree of support to partners and carers who are looking after the children.
More than 400 gifts were provided at Christmas 2004. Michael and Gloria Viljoen who have coordinated Angel Tree for some years, attended a Christmas party held at HM Prison Barwon. They continue the story:
"After the mandatory security checks at the gatehouse we were escorted to the Visit Centre. Listening to the Christmas Carols being played and looking around the room; it was difficult to believe that this festively decorated room was in the highest security prison in Victoria. The prisoners had done a superb job of making colourful paper chains, which hung from the ceiling. In the corner was a huge Christmas Tree and a broad armchair covered in green velvety material ready for Santa.
Into this atmosphere came 200 excited children, mothers, and grandparents. It was encouraging to see some Muslim families among them. Then the long anticipated moment.with a loud fanfare, a red faced Santa, with a real snow-white beard and hair arrived. Some of the children could not resist the temptation to check that his beard was indeed real! First of all the handcrafted wooden toys, made by prisoners at Barwon and specially wrapped, were handed out to their children.
There was a mixture of excitment and expressions as the children opened these gifts. We especially noticed the look of pride on the face of a father as his little girl opened his gift, a beautifully made wooden box lined with green felt. The Angel Tree gifts came next. A variety of gifts were opened around the room - footy, soccer and netballs, cricket bats, CD's, kites, dolls etc. Bratz dolls were all the rage last Christmas. Many families also took the opportunity to have photos taken with Santa.
The most rewarding aspect of the afternoon was to see the interaction between the families - fathers, mothers and children sharing precious time together. With this came the realisation that this was more than a party, it was an opportunity for these families to progress on their journey of rebuilding relationships.
- Ashlee
A girl who attended the party:
"I miss my dad. I miss him even more at Christmas. I'm so excited to see him"
Last modified
2005-09-09 08:45 AM