ARCADIA, Wis. – During a year of uncertainty, Ashley’s Angels, a non-profit organization led by Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. (Ashley), was determined to continue the tradition of bringing holiday cheer to children in need. The year brought challenges with fundraising opportunities during a global pandemic, but the organization’s volunteers resorted to new ways of raising funds and involving the community.
In a typical year, Ashley’s Angels hold a variety of fundraising events: bingo, casino nights, golf tournaments and spaghetti feeds. With social distancing and gathering limitations, the volunteer-based organization was creative in finding new ways to still be able to raise money for the cause, including a drive through chicken-q, bass fishing tournament, Ashley Furniture employee fundraisers, a home furnishings sale, a drive through Santa experience and more.
One hundred percent of the funds raised through the organization provide food, clothing and special gift requests for children in need during the holiday season. The organization was able to make a significant impact to the communities surrounding Ashley facilities in Mississippi, North Carolina and Wisconsin, with a total of 1,134 receiving children and over $310,000 raised.
Each year in early December, the organization holds shopping days where volunteers help shop for the children, filling giant gift bags with new coats, boots, clothes, toys and more. All of the gift bags are then loaded onto an Ashley semi where they await their delivery, with Santa Claus - just in time for Christmas.
“Every year we do this and every year it’s an emotional experience to be a part of. This year, after everything we’ve been through and knowing many families are more in need than they ever were before, it’s hard to put into words,” stated Shari Wagner, President, Ashley’s Angels – Wisconsin. “The kids and their families are so grateful for the gifts and we are so humbled to be able to provide this for them. Thank you to all of our volunteers and all those who donated to this cause.”
The organization works with local churches and schools to identify families in need of extra assistance. Every child in the program, along with his or her sibling(s), receives winter apparel and shoes (as needed), clothes, a blanket, and a special Christmas present. Each child’s family also receives a delicious holiday meal.
Ashley’s Angels was established by an Ashley truck driver from Mississippi in 1997 after he heard about a girl who was living in a car with her mother. The Ashley driver recruited help from fellow drivers to provide food, clothing, and additional assistance by helping the family find proper housing before Christmas. Seeing the impact their efforts had made in this family’s life encouraged those involved to form Ashley’s Angels.
Ashley’s Angels Video (2019): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t-35KUAOuI
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Ashley’s Angels is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that provides food, clothing, blankets, and special gift requests for children in need each year. The organization has generated over $3,000,000 in donations and benefited more than 20,000 children in Mississippi, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina since 1997. The community patrons of Ashley’s Angels, including local businesses and volunteers, partner with area schools to provide necessities to children who need it most. For more information on Ashley’s Angels and upcoming events, we invite you to visit www.ashleyangels.org. And for those of you who are interested, we encourage you to volunteer at www.ashleyangels.org/contact-us.html.
Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. (Ashley) feels that every person deserves more value for their money. Established in 1945, Ashley is the largest manufacturer of home furnishings in the world, and was named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes in 2017. From design through fulfillment, Ashley is committed to delivering the world’s best home furnishing values, selection and service, and earning the loyalty and trust of its customers every day. Visit Ashley online at www.ashleyfurnitureindustriesinc.com and “like” Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. on Facebook.
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