Untrim-A-Tree is a Christmas project coordinated with SERVE [Securing Emergency Resources Through Volunteer Efforts] to collect and deliver presents to designated area families.  Names are provided to prevent duplication of services.

In early November the coordinator contacts SERVE for a list of names.  Experience has shown us that we can handle 20 families but that 40 families are just a bit too much for our sized congregation.

Once we have a list, a master list is created; from that list we make 2 gift tags for each child (one for our records and one for the gift buyer). We then contact the congregation via a newsletter article or bulletin announcement and set up the Untrim-a-Tree.  All of the gifts are due back about a week before Christmas.

About a week prior to the due date, the coordinator needs to contact people with a friendly reminder if they have not brought back an item.  Finally, we either deliver the gifts to the home or to a central collection point.

Since this is basically a volunteer-run program, there are many different ways a Bethel member can get involved.  Volunteers are needed to decorate the tree and create gift tags.  They can also volunteer to purchase, wrap, and deliver gifts.

As a seasonal project, it takes approximately 8-10 hours of work in November and approximately 15-20 hours of time in December.

Contact: Mara Schleicher