Video: Ashley Angels Donations

[bitsontherun pqt47leP]

PONTOTOC, Miss.[WCBI]-Ashley’s Angels, an all volunteer non-profit arm of Ashley’s Furniture is presented a 100 thousand dollar check. The mission is to serve under privileged kids in an 8 county region and in two other states.

Hundreds of gift bags ear marked for the needy are sprawled across the floors in various rooms and even the sanctuary at By Faith Baptist Church on Highway 15 in Pontotoc. Since 1997 this group of giving angels and their helpers have been hard at their post. This year they’ll help 456 kids from 141 Mississippi families.

“And it was just Larry Ferguson and Kathy Ferguson who started it and it was to help the needy children in this area that otherwise would have no Christmas,” said Dottie Cobb, Ashley’s Angels.

Thanks to the efforts of the angels, Christmas will be just a little bit merrier for children in 8 counties.

Before the Christmas bags go out, local schools assess the needs of the children and their families and pass on the information to the army of angels.

“We get all the children’s names from the school counselors. We have nothing to do with what kids we serve and which ones we don’t. The school counselors know them. They send us the information. We get the facts on the kids and we do the shopping with the help of the schools, churches, friends, family. Anyone we can get to come help us shop do,” said Cobb.

And a huge check in the amount of $100,000 ensures the continued support for this worthy cause.

“Its really symbolic of our commitment to the youth of the communities, and having a large impact on the community in which we do business in,” said Brent Koslo, Ashley Furniture Executive.

With help from Ashley Furniture, their many employees and Ashley’s Angels, many low income kids and families will be receiving a warm coat, other clothing, food, and a special Christmas present.

“Because we believe so much in this program and its impact to the community, we are trying our best to spread it,” said Koslo.

Ashley Angels was started when truck driver Larry Ferguson learned of a girl by the name of Ashley who along with her mother was homeless. The homeless family was given food, clothing, and a place to stay for Christmas.