Every year Joel Provence, a leader at The River, leads a ministry dedicated to showing the love of Jesus to the people incarcerated at the Delaware County Jail during Christmas. A generous group of people donate items, from an approved list provided by jail officials, to be wrapped up in shoe boxes and given as Christmas presents.

This was the largest year yet for The River, giving away 260 shoe boxes filled with presents.

The composition of presents included: writing pads, socks, snacks, Christian books, Bibles, and more!

A large wrapping party was held to get the immense quantity ready to go! It went well with lots of people coming to volunteer.

The response was fantastic when Joel went to the jail to deliver some Christmas cheer. During a time of year when it is especially difficult to be away from family and friends, the recipients were warmly blessed to be remembered by the local church and community.

Out of gratitude, many of the people who received the Christmas shoe boxes have written to The River, expressing their thanks for the demonstration of kindness. The shoe boxes are not only about kindness during one time of the year, but the opportunity for a hope that will never end.

Thank you to all the people who helped with this outreach! We look forward to carrying out this ministry over many Christmases to come.