During Advent and Christmas seasons share the joy of gifts.
Join St. Francis Parish for our
Annual Advent Season GIVING TREE. This gift donating tradition is a beautiful sign that our community cares for those at-risk families and persons who are struggling economically.
2023: Gift-tags are hanging on our tree in church and on our “virtual-tree here.” This sign-up form is the way to enroll (request access to the gift list spreadsheet) via a two-step process to access, view and select the gift-tags and participate as a gift shopper/donor.
Sign-up and enroll here to see the gift-tag list for our Giving Tree … Click HERE!
After you sign-up / enroll you will get an email with the link to the spreadsheet list of gifts AND your unique Donor Number. There in the spreadsheet you will select an empty cell, where typing in your “Donor Number” will show that you have selected and claimed that gift-tag. By using that donor number it keeps your identity confidential in the spreadsheet, so, other donors will only see which gift-tags are already claimed without your name. Like taking a gift tag off “the virtual tree!” If there is already a “donor number” in the 1st column “to view – Column A” at the left of the “gift-needed” (Column B) that means someone already selected that gift. (To view Column A on a phone you may need to scroll to the left when opening the spreadsheet).
And, you will also see that: “John – Meijer gift card” means that, at that charity, gift cards are for specific people. Whereas other charities just list “Meijer gift card” without specifying who the gift is for. Are you using a phone, tablet or a “regular” laptop or desktop computer to edit the sheet? Read More
Gifts are due by Dec 18th. It’s best to drop off during office hours or at Mass by the tree. Gifts may be wrapped or not, either way is fine. Gift cards, boxed or not? It’s a good idea to put little items, like gift cards, into a larger envelope or a box so that the cards do not get easily lost. The “Return Code # gift-tag-label” to include on your present/tag (it’s the code number that is in the 3rd “Column C” in yellow) needs to be written on the tag and attached onto the gift package. That “Code # gift-tag-label” assures that the gift will get back to the organization and family in need that requested the gift-needed. You may order gifts online and send gifts by U.S. Mail. Return the gift(s):
- by U.S. Mail to: St. Francis Giving Tree, ATTENTION: CODE #, 2150 Frieze Ave, Ann Arbor MI 48104; or,
- at the Parish office (open weekdays 9-5); or,
- after Mass on weekends and most weekdays, (the gifts that are placed by the giving tree in the church – near the Holy Family statue – will be moved promptly to the parish office); or,
- at Mass in the Sunday donation basket by the Altar.
Volunteer as a helper on our team that makes this amazing program possible. Please see our Giving Tree Volunteer Sign-Up.
Benefiting ORGANIZATIONS
- Walking with Moms at St. Francis Parish (WwM-SFA) – helping children in our community of Ann Arbor and at St Francis!
- Anita’s Children Organization (ACO) – helping children in our community of Ann Arbor and at St Francis Parish Hispanic Community… through our programs such as Medical care, Education, and Social service work. … needs $25-$100 gift cards to Target, Walmart, Kroger, Dollar Tree, Five Below stores, as well as, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics. Plus we have needs for Baby Items and for New Toys for boys and girls, Clothes, and Shoes that are for children ages from newborn to 14 years old. Arts and crafts items and cricket machine. Please Box Gift Cards. Please place your gift back at the Giving Tree at St. Francis Church.
- Avalon Housing (Avalon) – Needs: Gift card(s) between $10 and $50 to Meijer, Target, and Amazon which will be delivered directly to our tenants during the holiday season. – Avalon is providing affordable, permanent and supportive housing to members of our community who have experienced homelessness. Since 1992 Avalon Housing is working to end homelessness, particularly for people who struggle with mental illness, substance use and intergenerational poverty. Through supportive housing – affordable homes combined with care and support – Avalon tenants and clients live more stable, productive lives. In total Avalon serves 800 people, including 200 children, in Washtenaw County. Contact is: Scott Ellis <sellis@avalonhousing.org>
- St. Louis Center (SLC)
- Community Mental Health (CMH)
- Home of New Vision (HNV)
- Arbor Woman (AW)
- Ozone House (OZONE)
- Unified HIV Health and Beyond (UHHB)
- HOPE Clinic: (HOPE) See the giving portal here https://thehopeclinic.org/
hope-for-the-holidays - Catholic Social Services (CSSW) of Washtenaw County (CSSW) requests gift cards to Walmart, Kroger, or Meijer. Please Post Mail them directly to: Catholic Social Services, Att: Susan Valasco, 4925 Packard Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48108.
- Guadalupanos en Michigan (GEM) is an organization under the financial auspices of St Francis of Assisi Parish, that serves the Latino families in need in the local community. Gift cards to Walmart, Aldi, Target, Meijers and Kroger can be mailed, by December 9th, to St Francis of Assisi Parish, 2150 Frieze Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, Attn: Guadalupanos en Michigan.
Benefiting ORGANIZATIONS (To Participate Sign-up Here)
For more information contact Scott Wright, Director of Parish Outreach Ministry Office, at swright@stfrancisa2.org or 734-821-2121.
