Delivery Tips
Delivery Tips
Terry James, an Ohio Angel Tree volunteer with a background in law enforcement, provides these suggestions for safe deliveries of Angel Tree gifts this Christmas:
-- Call ahead to set up a delivery day and time.
-- Call again when you are in the neighborhood and just minutes away to let the family know you are coming, and to confirm directions. A car phone or cellular phone is helpful.
-- Always make deliveries during daylight hours.
-- Use common sense to assess what a dangerous situation may be. Always be on the alert for trouble.
-- If you sense danger at or in the vicinity of the delivery address, arrange to deliver at another time.
-- Two or more persons should always make the deliveries. Preferably, at least one should be a man.
-- At least one or more adults should accompany teenagers making deliveries. In areas known for high crime rates, use three or four adults. One or two should wait in the car and, if danger occurs, sound the horn or use a car phone to call for help.
-- Use one vehicle. If available, a marked church van identifies you as on a church mission and provides lots of room for the gifts and the delivery team.
-- If for any reason you feel uncomfortable in a home or apartment, simply make the delivery on behalf of your church and leave. If you feel threatened, leave immediately.
-- If you are in an area where your language is not spoken, have someone with you who speaks that language.
-- Let the local community church know you are in the area and tell them why you are there. This provides the additional security of church pastors and resources.
-- Don't enter a building that is dark or appears abandoned.
-- If you are confronted by individuals who appear intimidating or harass you, first try to ignore them. If that doesn't work, tell them you are delivering Christmas gifts for children with incarcerated parents. If they still demand the gifts, give them over and immediately return to the car and leave the area.
-- Pray before, during, and after deliveries.
-- Call ahead to set up a delivery day and time.
-- Call again when you are in the neighborhood and just minutes away to let the family know you are coming, and to confirm directions. A car phone or cellular phone is helpful.
-- Always make deliveries during daylight hours.
-- Use common sense to assess what a dangerous situation may be. Always be on the alert for trouble.
-- If you sense danger at or in the vicinity of the delivery address, arrange to deliver at another time.
-- Two or more persons should always make the deliveries. Preferably, at least one should be a man.
-- At least one or more adults should accompany teenagers making deliveries. In areas known for high crime rates, use three or four adults. One or two should wait in the car and, if danger occurs, sound the horn or use a car phone to call for help.
-- Use one vehicle. If available, a marked church van identifies you as on a church mission and provides lots of room for the gifts and the delivery team.
-- If for any reason you feel uncomfortable in a home or apartment, simply make the delivery on behalf of your church and leave. If you feel threatened, leave immediately.
-- If you are in an area where your language is not spoken, have someone with you who speaks that language.
-- Let the local community church know you are in the area and tell them why you are there. This provides the additional security of church pastors and resources.
-- Don't enter a building that is dark or appears abandoned.
-- If you are confronted by individuals who appear intimidating or harass you, first try to ignore them. If that doesn't work, tell them you are delivering Christmas gifts for children with incarcerated parents. If they still demand the gifts, give them over and immediately return to the car and leave the area.
We can praise God for season after season of safe delivery. And chances are, your deliveries will go off without incident. Be safe and enjoy yourself as you share the love of Christ with the least of these.
Phases of Angel Tree
Phase 1: Preparation and Recruitment(September - November)
Phase 2: Gifting and Evangelism
(December - January)
Phase 3: Going beyond Christmas
(February - August)
How to Share the Gospel
-- Share the Gospel-- Preparing to Share
-- Four Key Responsibilities
-- Home Delivery Guidelines
-- Other Approaches
Delivery Tips
-- Pray before, during, and after deliveries.-- Call ahead to set up a delivery day and time.
-- Call again when you are in the neighborhood and just minutes away to let the family know you are coming, and to confirm directions. A car phone or cellular phone is helpful.
-- Always make deliveries during daylight hours.
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