Bringing comfort and joy to individuals of all ages is simple with local programs.
The Farmersville Outreach Alliance (FOA) Angel Tree Program gathered Christmas gifts for 300 local children last year, and 217 have been signed up so far 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.
Individuals wanting to adopt an Angel are encouraged to access the form on farmersvilleoutreach.com. Additionally, 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.
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.”
Information about what each child needs most and their sizes will be given to adopters. This helps them 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 at the First United Methodist Church from Friday, Nov. 29 to Sunday, Dec. 1 and distributed to families Thursday, Dec. 12.
For more information, visit farmersvilleoutreach.com or the FOA Facebook page.
Another Christmas cause gives gifts to elderly and disabled individuals. Since 2007, Sonja’s Angels has sought out the needs of the forgotten in nursing homes and beyond and provided for them. Many nursing home residents have a limited source of income and no family members to bring basic necessities, and the Jones family steps in to fill those gaps.
Currently, 110 gifts are needed, and nearly 200 are expected before the end of this season. These gifts include essentials and activity items such as puzzles and yarn. Tamera Jones-Davis, president of Sonja’s Angels, said that gifts for Meals on Wheels recipients will be due Monday, Nov. 25, and all other gifts will have a collection deadline of Friday, Dec. 13. Angels can be adopted from trees at Independent Financial and the Shell Station located at 1806 W. Audie Murphy Parkway. Donors can also give $40 to have the shopping done for them.
Contact Sonja’s Angels at [email protected], their Facebook page or by calling 469-584-3664.
By Allison LaBrot
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