Grosse Pointe News

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Gifting the meaning of Christmas to children of incarcerated parentsFree Access


Courtesy photo
The Thams home is packed with gifts each year before they are delivered to local children in December.

THE GROSSE POINTES — Organizing wide-spread efforts to bring a little cheer and the love of Jesus to local children of incarcerated parents has been at the center of the Christmas season in Farms resident Lisa Thams’ household for 21 years.

As Angel Tree 2021 kicks off, the ministry is preparing to serve 170 Detroit-area children with help from donations and volunteers.

The efforts to be delivered to the children Dec. 18, will include gifts requested by their parents, with needs specified by their caregivers; notes from the parents transcribed by volunteers; a holiday meal for the household; fresh baked cookies; handmade Christmas cards; warm, fuzzy socks for each child and their caregivers; Bibles provided by the Angel Tree Prison Fellowship organization; and a faith-based, age-appropriate book.

If enough funds are donated, the bundles also will include gift cards.

“Ultimately, it’s the connection of the children, the parents, the caregivers, all of them, in encouraging their relationship with Jesus as their source of strength and comfort and to know a right path,” Thams explained. “Especially for the kids who are in jeopardy of repeating the path of their parents, that they would choose otherwise and that encouraging, fostering the connection of family, even though their parent is physically absent, would somehow speak to the souls of these children to know that they are loved.”

For those who want to get involved with this year’s efforts, there is something for everyone, Thams said.

Anyone without time to spare may donate funding, while others interested in a hands-on approach may purchase gifts and/or volunteer to make Christmas cards, bake cookies, prep goods for delivery or deliver gifts to the childrens’ homes.

As the donated gifts are scheduled for drop off at Thams’ home Sunday, Dec. 12, those who donated and volunteered are invited to stay for a prayer gathering.

“We pray as a group and share just wanting to bless the parents and the kids and the caregivers, lifting them up in prayer that God’s hand is on them and that he would move in their lives,” Thams said, “that this gift is just the jumping off point.”

Sign up to shop for gifts or donate at bit.ly/30rnEhK or for volunteer opportunities at bit.ly/3pqJQDp.

Thams may be contacted at (248) 515-6832 for the links or questions.

Monetary donations may be sent to Lisa Thams, 187 Stephens, Grosse Pointe, MI 48236; via Paypal.me/308LAT; or Venmo @Lisa-Thams. Checks can be made out to “Cash” or “Lisa Thams.”