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BRUNSWICK, Ohio — When the feast of Christ’s birth approaches, for parishioners of St. Emilian Parish, that also means putting up the Giving Tree. While several parishes in the Eparchy of Parma have Giving Trees, the project at St. Emilian’s was begun 33 years ago, by parishioners Janet and Tim Moritz, and it has been going strong ever since.
Just before Thanksgiving, the parish seeks a family in need through the local schools or Salvation Army. The goal is to make their Christmas season a bit brighter by showering them with gifts they may not be able to buy for themselves. Parishioners speak with the parents of the family to get the names, ages, and gender of their children, as well as their clothing size and hobbies.
Then, gift suggestions are put in envelopes for parishioners to take and fulfill, with a reminder to include the gift receipt. Parishioners purchase and wrap their gifts at home and bring them to church. The family has the option of having the presents delivered by volunteers or picking them up at church.
Last Christmas, the Giving Tree project was extended to a mother with one child, plus a sizable monetary gift was sent to a priest in Europe with four children and whose wife had passed away. St. Joseph Parish in Brecksville, Ohio, joined St. Emilian parishioners in supporting the priest’s family.
This year, St. Emilian’s has extended its Giving Tree project to support community outreach programs that help people year round, such as Parishioners in Need, The Oaks Family Center and Medina County Battered Women’s Shelter.
Caption: A Giving Tree stands in the narthex of St. Emilian Parish. Parishioners have been helping families in need at Christmastime through this project for 33 years. (Photo: Jan Cizmar)
As published in Horizons, Dec. 23, 2018.
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