May their days be merry and bright

POST FALLS — Money is scarce for many local families this holiday season, especially those with foster children, single parents and babies on the way.

Knowing this, All of Life Church in Post Falls sent members of its leadership team to Oregon to gather 300 fresh, live Douglas fir trees and distribute them for free to help make Christmas a little brighter for those North Idaho families in need.

"The whole reason for this is we want to restore hope for people who are struggling this Christmas. It can be a particularly hard time," lead pastor Jared Lyda said Saturday morning. "It's really important for us that the light of Jesus Christ is known and felt by our community, that they know church is for them, not against them."

In its second year, the Giving Trees Christmas Tree Giveaway at All of Life Church, 5073 E. 16th Ave., welcomed community members from all walks of life to select their trees and join in fellowship around the fire pits and cookie and craft stations.

The sign at the entrance read, "We're glad you're here." Church volunteers and family members created a warm, inviting atmosphere and made sure everyone went home with a special ornament to remind them they are loved.

Jazmine G. of Post Falls welcomed a new baby into the world two weeks ago. She shared her thoughts about the giveaway as a volunteer helped load her tree onto her car.

"I'm actually mesmerized," she said. "I didn't think it was going to turn out like this. It's crazy cool."

She praised the generosity of All of Life Church for providing the gift of a Christmas tree to so many families.

"There's not a lot of places out there that actually do that," she said.

A young Hayden family, Eldon and Destiny Johnson with 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter Audrey, selected a tree for their home and one for a friend.

"I think it's fantastic," Destiny said. "We came last year and it was just trees, there wasn't all this other fun stuff, so I think it's really cool that they're expanding. We just know a lot of people in hard spots, so it helps out everyone. It's wonderful."

She and Eldon said the tree from All of Life will help make Christmas a little merrier for their family.

"We just found out we're pregnant 13 weeks ago, so money's a little tight," Destiny said.

Eldon said he thinks it's beautiful how this event brought the community together.

"It's an outreach opportunity to share not only a tree, but the love of Jesus, too," he said.

    Haddon Hammer, 5, of Post Falls is a big help Saturday during All of Life Church's Giving Trees Christmas Tree Giveaway.
  

    Mark Valdez holds a tree as Tom Craig cuts the stump Saturday morning at All of Life Church in Post Falls during a Christmas tree giveaway event.
  

    Chandler Lyda, 9, rocks a spiffy warm hat Saturday as she helps with the tree giveaway at All of Life Church in Post Falls.