TREES FOR HOPE:

Lighting the Way for Children & Families

HOW IT BEGAN

 

Trees for Hope first began in Mobile in 2017, dreamed up and driven from the personal faith of three local business owners and community leaders: Eric Ludgate of EnSec Pest and Lawn, Jimmy Deitz of Air of Excellence and Dr. Christopher Mullenix of Mobile Oral Surgery.

When these men learned how Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH) is serving children and families from hard places, and has been for nearly 130 years now, they began to seek out an opportunity to combine their efforts to help those in need.

The event in Mobile grew greatly in its first two years, and in 2019, we added a first-time Trees for Hope event in Birmingham.

what is trees for hope?

Trees for Hope is a fun and enjoyable evening that makes a big impact for children and families in need. At the event, guests can expect to enjoy delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres, fine coffees, and desserts. Guests are also provided the opportunity to browse dozens of beautifully decorated trees and wreaths ranging from elegant to whimsical, all of which will be up for grabs to the highest bidder.

Along with the Trees for Hope silent auction, attendees are invited to partake in a live auction too, where you can bid on donated items like weekend getaways, golf outings, and unique dining and culinary experiences, to fun activities for the whole family and valuable household services.

Pictured: Eric Ludgate (far left) and Jimmy Deitz (far right) presenting the first Trees for Hope proceeds to staff at the ABCH Mobile campus.

Pictured: Eric Ludgate (far left) and Jimmy Deitz (far right) presenting the first Trees for Hope proceeds to staff at the ABCH Mobile campus.

#GivingTuesday

Our Trees for Hope event is intentionally held in conjunction with the global giving movement, #GivingTuesday — the biggest day of the year devoted to giving back to causes people believe in. Through this event, you can help ABCH meet their #GivingTuesday goal by joining us and participating as either a guest, tree/wreath sponsor, or event sponsor!

Visit alabamachild.org/givingtuesday to learn more about #GivingTuesday and ABCH, and see how your gifts will help make an impact.

Proceeds from this event will help ABCH as they continue their everyday mission to protect, nurture, and restore children and families through Christ-centered services.

About the children’s homes

Through Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, tens of thousands of children and their families have received food, shelter, love, comfort, and spiritual guidance under the Christian direction of dedicated men and women for nearly 130 years. This is accomplished primarily through Foster Care, Homes for Children, Family Care, College Care, and counseling services provided by sister ministry, Pathways Professional Counseling.

Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes exists to protect, nurture, and restore children and families through Christ-centered services. Local offices where you may partner even more directly are in Auburn-Opelika, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Mobile, Montgomery, and Oxford.