‘Tis the season to start thinking about how to help children in Farmersville have a Merry Christmas.

The Farmersville Outreach Alliance (FOA) Angel Tree Program gathered Christmas gifts for 300 local children last year, and a similar number is expected this year according to organizer Judy Brandon. Donations from community members help the FOA provide essential items and toys for each child who is registered.

Family members of the children can sign up in person at the First United Methodist Church Friday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Individuals wanting to adopt an Angel can access the form on farmersvilleoutreach.com or pick up a packet during the month of November. Packets with information and boxes for toy donations will be available at the Chamber of Commerce office, Independent Financial and the Fire and Police Department building. Boxes for toy donations will also be in Rike Memorial Library and the Collin College Farmersville Campus from Monday, Oct. 28 to Wednesday, Dec. 4.

FOA aims to have adopters provide six items per child.

“In the past, we’ve had a sheet that the adopters get that has sizes for everything, and they thought they had to buy everything,” Brandon said, “This time we are being more specific.”

The family members filling out the child’s information are being asked for the six items they need most and the sizes to go with any requested clothing items. This helps adopters provide for specific needs and keeps item totals consistent between children from the same family receiving gifts.

Adopters may spend between $100 and $150. Those who do not want to adopt an Angel but want to help can donate through the FOA website. Donors and their gifts are kept confidential, and the money is used to buy gifts for any remaining children.

Gifts will be collected from Friday, Nov. 29 to Sunday, Dec. 1 and distributed to families Thursday, Dec. 12.

By Allison LaBrot

For more information, visit farmersvilleoutreach.com or the FOA Facebook page.

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