How you can help Oak Tree Corner!

According to Network for Good, an online fundraising platform, about 30% of all charitable donations are made in the month of December, with 10% happening on the last three days of the year. This can be attributed to individuals wanting to squeeze in that extra tax break at the end of the year, or perhaps people just feel a bit more giving around the holidays.

Though many people donate at the end of the year, you don’t have to wait until December to support a charity in need. Organizations like Oak Tree Corner need your help all year round! Here are just some of the ways you can help: 

AmazonSmile 

Did you know that you can donate to Oak Tree Corner just by shopping online? Amazon has a program called AmazonSmile, designed specifically so you can support your favorite non-profit. The next time you’re perusing Amazon, go to www.amazonsmile.com before you make your purchase and select Oak Tree Corner as your organization of choice. It’s exactly like shopping on Amazon, only Oak Tree Corner will receive 0.5% of your purchase price. It’s a great way to support our organization while you’re doing your regular shopping, at no extra cost to you!

Kroger Community Rewards 

You can also support Oak Tree Corner every time you go to the grocery. Kroger’s Community Rewards Program makes it easy for you to donate to organizations in need.

All you have to go is visit the Kroger Community Rewards website to enroll your Kroger Plus Card. Choose Oak Tree Corner as your organization, either by searching by name or Oak Tree Corner’s community number (82663) and Oak Tree Corner will receive rewards every time you shop at Kroger! 

Support OTC Fundraising Endeavors 

Oak Tree Corner’s biggest fundraising event of the year is the Silver Lining Celebration and silent auction. You can help by attending and bidding on the various items. Not only that, Oak Tree Corner always needs items to bid on, such as gift certificates and gift baskets, and would welcome donations of this kind, as well.

This year’s Silver Lining Celebration is on Saturday, April 12th. We hope to see you there! 

Donate to OTC 

You don’t have to wait for a special event to donate to Oak Tree Corner. You can go to Oak Tree Corner’s website at any time and make a donation. Simply click the “Donate” button to donate by credit or debit card, or send a check or money order to:

Oak Tree Corner

2312 Far Hills Ave. PMB 108

Dayton, Ohio 45419

You can also donate an item from Oak Tree Corner’s wishlist:

• Juice boxes
• Shoe boxes (all sizes)
• Paper towels, napkins, and plates
• Toilet Paper
• Chess or Checker sets
• Connect Four or Jenga! games
• Doctor play kits
• Phone books
• Gift cards for Kroger, Staples, or pizza restaurants

Volunteer 

We understand that not everyone can afford to donate monetarily. Perhaps the most valuable donation you can make is your time and energy.

Oak Tree Corner volunteers come from all walks of life and are not necessarily professional counselors. Volunteers complete 24 hours of training and are expected to offer five hours of their time each month for meetings. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small amount of time but it can make a huge difference to the children who attend.

Interested in volunteering? Contact us at (937) 285-0199 or oaktreecorner@mail.com. 

Refer to Us 

Do you know a family struggling with a death in the family? Please share our information. Families can contact Oak Tree Corner via our website, by calling us at (937) 285-0199, or emailing us at oaktreecorner@mail.com. 




All donations are tax deductible contributions.

Silver Lining Celebration

Oak Tree Corner's Annual Silver Lining Celebration will be held this coming Sunday, April 22nd from noon to 6 PM.

The Silver Lining Celebration is a casual open house, open to the public, where guests can bid on items in a silent auction. Attendees will also have the chance to win the Specialty Basket raffle, as well as the 50/50 raffle. Last year's 50/50 raffle winnings were $1900.

The event will take place at the Oak Tree Corner house in Oakwood, located at 136 Far Hills Ave at Schantz. The 50/50 raffle and Specialty Basket raffle winners will be drawn at 5:30 PM but you do not need to be present to win.

Please join us for an afternoon of food, refreshments, and fun. Thank you for your support!

light a candle

Oak Tree Corner is on a short break at the moment, but held one special meeting before taking off for the holidays. The last meeting of the year is reserved for the candle lighting ceremony, a time of quiet reflection.

For many families suffering a loss, this may be the first holiday season in which their loved one won't be there. The holiday season is a tough time for anyone who is grieving, be it the first, second, or even 20th year without that person.

The candle ceremony allows Oak Tree families and volunteers to take a moment to honor the person they are missing. Oak Tree Corner is a safe place, a place where everyone gathers for the same reason, and the candle ceremony is a time for everyone to think of those who have died, to remember, to cry, and to just feel whatever it is they need to be feeling.

Participants in the candle ceremony gather in a large circle and each person is given an unlit candle. The ceremony leader typically reads a short poem or says a few words, then lights her own candle. She passes the light to the person standing next to her and, as each person lights their candle, they say who it is they're remembering.

Everyone is encouraged to talk for as long as they need as they light their candle and, for this reason, this tends to be the night at Oak Tree when the most tears are shed. Families gather, long after the candles have been blown out, to talk, wish each other well, and comfort each other, all reluctant to leave the warmth and support of the Oak Tree circle.

This time of year can be especially painful for those who are grieving. Take a look at this Dayton Daily News article for information about dealing with grief around the holidays, and tips on how to help others through the grieving process during this difficult time of year.

Channing Phillips featured in the Dayton Daily News

Channing Phillips, the first pizza partner at Oak Tree's Springboro location, was recently featured in the Dayton Daily News.

Channing was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in December of 2007 and, remarkably, ran the Cincinnati Flying Pig Half Marathon in October of 2009. She is now training for the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon on August 14th.

We'd like to thank Channing for her service and her inspiration, and wish her luck with her upcoming race!

Volunteer Ericha Shuster featured in the Dayton Daily News

Ericha Shuster is an Oak Tree Corner volunteer at our Oakwood location. She co-facilitates the "Littles" group, which consists of children aged three to six.

Take a look at the article to learn a bit more about Ericha and her fashion style!

Style With a Smile

Oak Tree Corner picnic

Oak Tree Corner held the annual picnic this past Sunday, July 10th, at Waldruhe Park. It was a hot day, but everyone took advantage of the shade the shelter provided.

There were also water balloons, water cannons, and lots of buckets of water for the kids to play with and beat the heat

It was so hot out that even the adults got in on the fun:

It was a great day, full of fun and delicious food...thanks to everyone who came out!

Oak Tree Corner picnic - Sunday, July 10th!

Oak Tree Corner's annual summer picnic is coming up on Sunday, July 10th, from 1 PM - 3 PM at Waldruhe Park. There will be lots of food, as well as some water balloons and other fun water activities for the kids!

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