Local Church Gathers Gifts for 12 Local Nonprofits 

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A local church packed their sanctuary Sunday with gifts for a dozen local nonprofits as part of its annual “12 Trees of Christmas.”

First Baptist Woodway asks for donations to be made to the chosen 12 nonprofits, each with its own wish list of items that would help their organization and the people they serve.

On Sunday, church-goers brought their gifts for the nonprofits and placed them underneath the tree with the sign of the nonprofit they chose.

Rene Maciel is the missions and community outreach minister at First Woodway.

We had another wonderful 12 Trees Christmas celebration at First Woodway," Maciel said. “We’ve been doing this for several years and we’ve had a wonderful chance to give back to our community.”

The nonprofits chosen this year were the Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children, Christian Women’s Job Corp, Church Under the Bridge, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Family Abuse Center, Foster Village, Friends for Life, Helping Hands Special Needs, The Salvation Army, Given in Jesus’ Name Food Pantry, Isaiah 117 House and Viento Fuerte with Inspiracion.

The shopping lists, for example, included pillows and shampoo and conditioner for the Isaiah 117 House and undergarments and kids’ toys for the Advocacy Center.

Maciel said it was wonderful to see the overwhelming response as hundreds of people gave.

“It’s always been amazing to me how our church gives back to our community in lots of different ways in bringing gifts, gift cards , cash - just to being able to give back and to care for these organizations that we are partnering with,” Maciel said. “We are so grateful again that this 12 Trees worship service has just been another way to love and care for our community.”

The gifts will be picked up by the nonprofits Tuesday morning.

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