Page 68 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2025 - Online Magazine

OPPORTUNITY
Charli's Tree:
A LEGACY OF GIVING,
COMMUNITY, AND HOPE
by Laura Landes
n 2019, Lake Ridge Chapel and
Memorial Designers launched
ICharli’s Tree, a non-profit
organization dedicated to making
the holiday season a little brighter
for children in need.
Our inspiration—Charli Jones, a
precious little ball of energy with
beautiful blonde curls, a contagious
smile, and an infectious spirit,
was known for her sparkling joy,
selflessness, and generosity. “To
68 Lubbock Senior Link
TO Serve
know her was to love her,” proudly continue to honor Charli’s memory
expressed her parents, Davis and for years to come, while making a
Kerri Jones, who raise their children significant impact on others. The
with a strong belief that the greatest outpouring of support from the
joy comes from helping others community was overwhelming, and
every day, but especially during the it quickly became clear that this was
holiday season. a cause worth continuing. Thus,
Charli’s Tree was born—a charity
The idea for Charli’s Tree was that has grown in both scale and
prompted by the Jones’ heartfelt significance each year, becoming
request, following Charli’s an annual tradition at Lake Ridge
unexpected passing in November Chapel and touching the lives of
2019. Instead of flowers, they many more children in the Lubbock
requested that friends and family area and beyond.
bring unwrapped toys to her
visitation. For Davis and Kerri, this The initiative quickly gained
decision was a natural one. This traction, as our WISE Members,
simple but meaningful gesture was our Ladies and Men of Lake Ridge
meant to help children who might Chapel, area residents, schools, and
not otherwise experience the joy of businesses, all rallied together to
receiving a gift during the holidays. support the cause. The first year’s
Because they had always instilled success was a testament to how
in their children the importance
of generosity, they wanted to
ensure that Charli’s spirit of giving
continued, even in her absence.
Recognizing the profound
significance of this request, Santos
Moreno, owner of Lake Ridge
Chapel and Memorial Designers,
saw a unique opportunity to