Giving Tree Program
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The Catholic Community of Pleasanton is pleased to once again sponsor a Christmas Giving Tree (Adopt-a-Family) program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Giving Tree ministry will look different this year, though with as much heartfelt feelings for families who are in-need.
What Is the Same?
What Is Different?
What Can You Do?
How Will The Money Be Distributed? Each family will receive one (or two) gift cards. To be equitable the amount loaded on the card(s) will be based on the number and ages of people in the family. The amounts will be determined after we have completed the collection. We hope that you will continue supporting this wonderful ministry with as much love and generosity as you have in the past. We have provided a Q&A section that may answer some questions. Please contact Roxanne Rasmussen at roxanneras@gmail.com with any other questions. |
OUR GOAL
$135,000 
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WHAT YOUR INVOLVEMENT MEANS TO OTHERS
...one senior citizen told me that she was just "floored" by the beautiful bedspread that she was given. Her smile said it all.
Another guest, when she saw the unexpected bicycle included with her bag of gifts, cried. She had no idea whether or not any of the items she listed as gifts for her family would be granted and when she saw how large the bags (2) were and the bicycle rolled out for her, her emotional response was apparent to all of us.
...this WAS the Christmas that she and her husband would not have been able to provide for their children.
...the smile on their faces even just for a moment is a joy to see. Thank you and God bless you and the Catholic Community of Pleasanton for all you do.
the families are thrilled with their gifts, and the children especially. What a beautiful expression of love from your congregation.
Some simply said, "Thank you" for their gift cards, and I'm sure they, too, had a much better Christmas than they would have otherwise.
We do thank each of the CCOP parishioners and families and your team who delivered the gifts for helping to bring the Light of Christ's love, caring and hope to needy families and for making their lives much brighter.
Another guest, when she saw the unexpected bicycle included with her bag of gifts, cried. She had no idea whether or not any of the items she listed as gifts for her family would be granted and when she saw how large the bags (2) were and the bicycle rolled out for her, her emotional response was apparent to all of us.
...this WAS the Christmas that she and her husband would not have been able to provide for their children.
...the smile on their faces even just for a moment is a joy to see. Thank you and God bless you and the Catholic Community of Pleasanton for all you do.
the families are thrilled with their gifts, and the children especially. What a beautiful expression of love from your congregation.
Some simply said, "Thank you" for their gift cards, and I'm sure they, too, had a much better Christmas than they would have otherwise.
We do thank each of the CCOP parishioners and families and your team who delivered the gifts for helping to bring the Light of Christ's love, caring and hope to needy families and for making their lives much brighter.
FAQs (Frequently asked questions)
Why the change from adopting families to asking for monetary donations?
COVID-19 does not allow us to gather in groups as we usually do to prepare the family envelopes, adopt the families, and collect and prepare the gift bags for delivery. We wouldn’t want to put any of our dedicated volunteers at risk. Since we always begin our planning in August, we had to follow the county guidelines that were in effect at that time. In addition, until our parish can return to its schedule of in-person Sunday Masses, having all 450 families adopted the regular way would be an extremely challenging task.
How will the money be distributed?
Each family will receive 1 gift card. To be equitable the amount loaded on the card will be based on the number and ages of people in the family. The amounts will be determined after we have completed the collection.
Why can’t I just purchase the gift card myself and deliver it to you?
We will be purchasing gift cards in bulk which would provide us a volume discount. This way each parishioner will get “more bang for their buck” providing for more gifts. Families that have signed up will specify their top three preferred gift cards and we will attempt to provide each family with one or two of these cards.
How can I decide how much money to donate?
You can contribute as much as you are willing or capable of at this time. All contributions regardless of amount are welcomed. A good guideline would be to donate as much money as you would normally have spent on the family that you would have adopted.
How can I be sure the gift cards given to the families will be used for the intended purpose of purchasing Christmas gifts for their families?
We give our gifts freely out of love for God and our neighbor. We can only control our giving; we trust the recipient to use the gift card wisely in a way that is the most help to them. Given the economic difficulties many people are facing due to the COVID-19 situation these gift cards could be a blessing beyond just Christmas gifts for their family.
How will these gift cards be distributed?
Giving Tree Core Team members will personally deliver each parish’s gift cards to the parish contact person. We plan to include a Christmas card or note to each family from CCOP with the gift card. The parish contact will then organize the delivery to the families. This maintains the anonymity that has always been an important part of the Giving Tree ministry.
Will this process continue for 2021 or will we return to the process of adopting families?
It is our hope that we can return to our previous practice of adopting families, collecting and delivering the gifts in 2021.
How much money is needed to purchase a sufficient number of gift cards?
We typically have had over 2700 individuals among our 450 families. If we average about $50 in gifts for each person that bring us to over $135,000 needed. We will keep the parish informed of our progress through our website, Flocknotes, and other platforms.
How can I donate?
You can donate through the parish website via tithe.ly by clicking on the "DONATE NOW" button below. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SELECT "The Giving Tree" in the Give To field. You can also drop off a check through the mail slot at the St. Augustine rectory. Please write “Giving Tree” in the memo line, if dropping off a check. We will accept the donations through Sunday, November 29th.
COVID-19 does not allow us to gather in groups as we usually do to prepare the family envelopes, adopt the families, and collect and prepare the gift bags for delivery. We wouldn’t want to put any of our dedicated volunteers at risk. Since we always begin our planning in August, we had to follow the county guidelines that were in effect at that time. In addition, until our parish can return to its schedule of in-person Sunday Masses, having all 450 families adopted the regular way would be an extremely challenging task.
How will the money be distributed?
Each family will receive 1 gift card. To be equitable the amount loaded on the card will be based on the number and ages of people in the family. The amounts will be determined after we have completed the collection.
Why can’t I just purchase the gift card myself and deliver it to you?
We will be purchasing gift cards in bulk which would provide us a volume discount. This way each parishioner will get “more bang for their buck” providing for more gifts. Families that have signed up will specify their top three preferred gift cards and we will attempt to provide each family with one or two of these cards.
How can I decide how much money to donate?
You can contribute as much as you are willing or capable of at this time. All contributions regardless of amount are welcomed. A good guideline would be to donate as much money as you would normally have spent on the family that you would have adopted.
How can I be sure the gift cards given to the families will be used for the intended purpose of purchasing Christmas gifts for their families?
We give our gifts freely out of love for God and our neighbor. We can only control our giving; we trust the recipient to use the gift card wisely in a way that is the most help to them. Given the economic difficulties many people are facing due to the COVID-19 situation these gift cards could be a blessing beyond just Christmas gifts for their family.
How will these gift cards be distributed?
Giving Tree Core Team members will personally deliver each parish’s gift cards to the parish contact person. We plan to include a Christmas card or note to each family from CCOP with the gift card. The parish contact will then organize the delivery to the families. This maintains the anonymity that has always been an important part of the Giving Tree ministry.
Will this process continue for 2021 or will we return to the process of adopting families?
It is our hope that we can return to our previous practice of adopting families, collecting and delivering the gifts in 2021.
How much money is needed to purchase a sufficient number of gift cards?
We typically have had over 2700 individuals among our 450 families. If we average about $50 in gifts for each person that bring us to over $135,000 needed. We will keep the parish informed of our progress through our website, Flocknotes, and other platforms.
How can I donate?
You can donate through the parish website via tithe.ly by clicking on the "DONATE NOW" button below. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SELECT "The Giving Tree" in the Give To field. You can also drop off a check through the mail slot at the St. Augustine rectory. Please write “Giving Tree” in the memo line, if dropping off a check. We will accept the donations through Sunday, November 29th.