SEVIERVILLE - For the last six years Howard and Susan Kingsbury, owners of THE DINER in Sevierville have hosted a Chuck Colson’s Prison Ministries Angel Tree in their restaurant at Christmas. They have some names left on the tree and are hoping others will help out before the deadline of December 22.

“This Angel Tree is the real/original Chuck Colson Prison Ministries Angel Tree to represent Christ to prisoners incarcerated at Christmas and to help them bring necessities for Christmas to their children who live in Sevier County,” Howard Kingsbury said.

This Sevier County outreach is working to serve almost 60 Sevier County children from Colson Prison Ministries with parents who have registered with the Chaplin in the federal or state penitentiary where they are incarcerated. About 400,000 children will be served by this program nationwide.  Cruise-In (car show) participants at THE DINER donate money to both Wears Valley Ranch and this Angel Tree throughout the year. 

 Kingsbury said that although his primary concern is that prisoners come to know Jesus Christ, he is also interested in helping them learn how to live productive lives after they are released from prison.

“About 70 percent of people in jail/prison had a parent incarcerated,” he said. “Recidivism (released criminals return to prison) runs at about 70 percent for conventional prisons but drops dramatically (10%-20% depending on the study) when prisoners enroll in and remain in Christ-based programs in prison. Colson Prison Ministries operates and supports such programs.”         

Kingsbury said he is also motivated to be involved in the Colson Angel Tree because of the pain and loneliness experienced by innocent children from age one to age 16 who have a parent in prison.  About 75 percent of the children in the Angel Tree program are under 10 years old. 

“Our budget (minimum is $40 per child, about $2,400 in total) so that each child receives two and up to five gifts to be wrapped and presented to them in the few days prior to Christmas,” Kingsbury said. “The gift comes to the child as if it came from their incarcerated parent, with a card from the parent.” 

Kingsbury said nearly all of the children whose names appear on the Angel Tree in his restaurant have urgent clothing needs. Simple small toys or stuffed animals may also be included.  If the child does not have their own Bible or age-appropriate Bible story books, THE DINER will buy those and add them to the gifts for that child.  

Residents interested in helping out with THE DINER’s Angel Tree may become involved in several ways:

1)                  Write a check for whatever you care to donate and deliver it to THE DINER and they will do the shopping and wrapping.

2)                  You can take an angel from the tree, and register so they know you have that angel.  You can wrap the gifts or they will do the wrapping for you.

3)                  Team with THE DINER to help make arrangements for delivery or even help to deliver the gifts or meet them when they come to receive the gifts.   

For more information, visit THE DINER at 550 Winfield Dunn Pkwy or call 865-908-1904.

Howard Kingsbury at THE DINER is asking others to take a name off the Colson Angel Tree. The ministry buys Christmas gifts for children who have a parent in prison. Photo by SCN.