During the holiday season it is easy to get wrapped up in “To Do” lists for Christmas: family gifts to buy, holiday parties, tree trimming and travel plans. It’s sometimes easy to forget that many in the community don’t have the luxury of worrying about lists like that. They have no warm clothes for the coming cold winter. They have no money to buy gifts for their families. They have no family with whom to celebrate this most joyous season.

Each year, the St. David’s covenant community strives to remember and to serve those in need as Christ has taught. The Angel Tree program provides clothing to Loudoun County’s Community Holiday Coalition during the holiday season. At the Coalition, eligible families "shop" in a store that has been stocked with donated food and new merchandise, allowing families a sense of choice and dignity. The stores are held annually at both Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is truly a community effort with goods donated from many organizations and staffed by volunteers. In 2008, the Coalition helped more than 2,000 families. They received holiday food baskets, personal care baskets, new clothing, toys, filled stockings and more.

For the past several years, the St. David’s community has provided jeans to the Coalition. This year they have requested that we provide warm clothing for seniors. At Christmas time, people often think of children but there are many seniors in our community who are unable to purchase the most basic clothing for the cold weather ahead. Specifically, larger size (XL-3XL) sweaters and cardigans as well as blankets and quilts are needed.

Becoming an angel to someone this Christmas is simple: just choose an ornament from the Angel Tree in the Narthex and add these items to your Christmas shopping list. Bring the new, unwrapped donations to St. David’s no later than Noon on Sunday, December 13th. The GIRLS Group will be making deliveries to the Holiday Coalition on Sunday, December 6th and Sunday, December 13th after services.

Those wishing to volunteer for the Community Holiday Coalition may call 703-737-8367 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Volunteers must be 15 years or older. For more information go to their website at www.loudoun.gov. Click on Services, then Holiday Coalition.