Giving Tree 2019

For Christmas 2019 Windy City Church will be partnering with our Pantry & Onahan Elementary School to provide a Christmas gift to children and students in need. Parents will provide a detailed list of gift items to ensure that each child gets a gift that is personal to their tastes and needs. This Christmas, let’s join together to serve local kids and families!


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HOW-TO’s for GIFT GIVING


Make note of the details on the child’s tag. 

When you select a child’s tag from the Giving Tree, you’ll notice that the child’s name is not mentioned but all of their gift information will be. This could include their gender, age/grade, clothing/shoe size, and toy choice(s).


Pray for that child and their family. 

God knows what they need and it’s a wonderful thing to lift their needs and hopes up to Him.


Please shop only for the specific items and sizes that are requested. 

This makes the gift personal, and makes the child and parent feel special in getting something they would personally have picked.


$30-35 range gifts for each child. 

We’ve put a price range of $30-35 for each child total so they can get at least one high-quality gift on their list. (Now, this doesn’t mean that with bargain hunting the gifts actually have to cost that. As long as they are getting gifts on their list, coupon and bargain-hunt as much as you want.)


Do not wrap. 

Why are we asking for unwrapped gifts? We are asking for gifts to be turned in un-wrapped so parents can see what they are giving their child. This also allows them to wrap it in paper/bows that coincides with any other gifts so it’s not obvious that it’s not “from” their parent. The goal is to give each parent a dignified way of giving the gift they can’t afford, so not wrapping the gift is important.


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KEY DATES

Sunday, December 1st (aka the Sunday after Thanksgiving): Pick up a tag!

Windy City Church will open up the Giving Tree. Each tag on the tree will represent one child and their gift list. Select a tag, Plan purchase and return unwrapped gifts on December 8 or 15.


Sunday, December 8 & 15: Drop off gifts!

Collection days of un-wrapped gifts at Windy City. Please make sure to drop off gifts by the deadline of December 15th at 12:00pm/Noon. Make sure to tape the tag from the tree to the unwrapped gift so we know which child the gift belongs to.


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Frequently Asked Questions


How will parents know who provided the gifts for their children? 

Onahan Elementary and the Windy City Food Pantry have personal relationships with each family, so parents will know that it is through our combined efforts that gifts were provided. Each gift will include an invitation to our Christmas service and to the Food Pantry in the future. 


What if I cannot afford $30-35 but want to participate?

If $30-35 is not in your budget, please speak to a pastor or Nancy Volpert about combining your donation with others to share a child’s gift cost. We definitely would like you to be able to participate at any level your finances will allow. Another option is to ask a friend and go in on a gift together. Or you can simply donate money toward a pool that can go towards purchasing gifts. See Nancy Volpert or Pastor Jen with other questions.


Why are the children’s names not included this year?

When you select a child’s tag from the Giving Tree, you’ll notice that the child’s name is not mentioned. This is to offer privacy for the families and to continue to elevate their dignity.


Can I buy gift cards? No.

Please do not purchase gift cards. Our hope is for the child and parent to feel provided for and special by receiving gifts that they have asked for, so no gift cards, please.


Can I purchase gifts or items not on the child’s tag?

No, please only purchase items that are listed on the child’s tag. Our hope is to provide their parents with a high-quality desired or needed gift item that is personal to their child. Think of how wonderful the parent and child will feel on Christmas morning when they get to give and open a gift that was on their list. 


Thank you for your huge heart to serve and love

on our local community in the name of Jesus Christ!