Over 15 years ago, a mother-daughter team decided to forgo gifts for each other in favor of gifting residents at senior care facilities in Farmersville.

The original plan was to adopt a couple of angels at the former Hinton Home that first year, however, Tamera Jones-Davis and her mother, Sonja Jones, were asked to provide gifts for 26 senior citizens.

Throughout the years, the tradition of Sonja’s Forgotten Angels has continued for Jones-Davis despite the loss of her mother to cancer early on.

Requests for angel help have grown considerably over the years, and this season Jones-Davis said, “we have 182 angels, but we are getting new people added as they are reported.”

To date, the charity is helping residents at Lexington Medical Lodge, Farmersville Health and Rehabilitation and shut-ins that live on their own.

“We are awaiting a count from a Princeton location so it could actually double,” she added. 

CBTx will have a tree with angels again this year, and Jones-Davis said she “is confident CBTx will give customers angels through the drive-thru again if requested.”

Customers can also request to donate to the Sonja’s Angel program account directly, she said, as the charity account is through this bank.

“Any amount is welcome although we usually say it is $29 per angel for us to get the basics as we can buy in bulk,” she said. 

Jones-Davis said that Independent Bank in Lavon also requested her charity bring angels for their tree located at 1009 S. Hwy 78 in Lavon.

A unique fundraising opportunity is available this year through Farmersville Lights. Jones-Davis said she plans to participate in the Cheers and Charity booth at the Onion Shed starting Dec. 1.

“We will then be there each Friday and Saturday through the end of season,” she said.

At the event, Jones-Davis said they will accept donations, adopt angels, and have a box for smaller donations such as socks, wrapped snack items, small gift cards for groceries to give to shut-ins, socks, lap blankets and puzzle books — “items we can add to our adopted angel gift bags.”

Items should be delivered unwrapped so the team of volunteers can assemble gift bags for the seniors.

The charity has general needs, such as socks and gowns, and sweatshirts/pants for men. The most-needed items are larger-sized gowns and sweats, with Jones-Davis explaining these are harder to find but they are needed, from size XL all the way up to 3XL.

For those who adopt angels, Jones-Davis is requesting that items be delivered to her by Dec. 18 so they can deliver gifts to the facilities and shut-ins by Dec. 21. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions last year, Jones-Davis and her team were unable to deliver in person. This year, however, is different.

“We are so excited to see the smiling faces again,” she said. “We will dress up and deliver and welcome help from others who are vaccinated.” 

The nonprofit accepts cash or monetary donations to the bank. Donations can also be made through PayPal to [email protected] or mail a check to Sonja’s Forgotten Angels at 306 College St., Farmersville, TX 75442.

 If requested, donation receipts can be mailed provided an address is given.

Christmas is the biggest event for Sonja’s Angels, but Jones-Davis said they provide gifts at other holidays, such as Valentines, Easter, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day, as well just on a much smaller scale.

“We just want to thank the community for helping us with the angel program for over 15 years now,” she said.

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