Get to Know Us - Video below

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Inspired by Jesus, the Apple Tree Center opened its doors in 2015 with a mission to create a deep sense of belonging and community, restore the promise of hope, and teach the value of service. Over the years, that mission has taken root and grown. We have learned how to build meaningful relationships and cultivate true community among those who come to the Center for support and those who serve. Today, the lines between the two have beautifully blurred—we are neighbors walking alongside one another.

During the past decade, we have tried new ideas, learned important lessons, and grown into our identity as an organization. Our mission has come to life not only in the individuals and families served at the Center, but also in the volunteers, donors, and partners who faithfully support the building, the programs, and the people who make the Apple Tree Center a place to belong.

Together, we have sent children to school, fed our neighbors, helped people find employment, repaired and cared for our building, and secured strong staff and leadership. Each step has strengthened our foundation. Hope—defined as the expectation and desire for something good to come—has been present all along. In 2026, we believe that hope will be firmly cemented into everything we do.

For this Year of HOPE, we have chosen apple blossoms as our symbol. Blossoms are the promise before the fruit—a sign that something big, wholesome, and vibrant is coming. That is exactly what we believe God is continuing to grow at the Apple Tree Center.

Signature Events for 2026

Throughout the Year of HOPE, four signature events will anchor our efforts and invite the community to participate in restoring hope:

    •    February 18–22 | Apple Grapple, our Online Auction

         Our annual online auction returns with the theme Homegrown & Handmade for HOPE. We will highlight locally owned    

          businesses, talented artisans, and everyday entrepreneurs, offering their goods and gifts to support the ongoing work 

          of the Apple Tree Center.

    •    March 4 | Empty Bowls

         In partnership with CLC’s The Pottery, we host Empty Bowls—an international grassroots art project. Guests receive a

         handcrafted bowl and a simple meal in exchange for a donation, serving as a lasting reminder of neighbors who

         experience hunger each day.

    •    May 17 | Links of HOPE

         Our golf (and much, much, more!) fundraising event at the Kendallville Elks Golf Course brings the community together

         for a day of connection, generosity, and fun.

    •    November 15 | Handbags for HOPE

         Our second annual purse bingo event returns—an evening filled with excitement, laughter, and support for our mission.

Join Us in the Year of HOPE

We invite you to participate in these events, join the Core Club, and volunteer at the Apple Tree Center. Together, we can keep this momentum going throughout 2026 and beyond—restoring the promise of hope, one relationship at a time.