By Sonny Jones
Debbie Heustess arrived home Thursday night with a vehicle packed full of toys. Really, really packed full of toys.
There were a couple of Mr. Potato Head dolls and several books along with a radio-controlled Polaris, a few dolls, Baby Shark, something called Bluey, a tractor or two, a scooter and who knows what else that could fit on or around her dining table.
It was a shopping spree that she and her many elves have made often over the past 20 years to help needy families have gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.
Through her Elf Angels Fund, the former day care operator and pre-school teacher — known affectionately to this day as Ms. Debbie by her ex-students — has brought smiles to more than a thousand children in Bladen County and helped hundreds of families in need.
| WANT TO DONATE? Donations may be sent to: Elf Angels Fund 10578 South College Street Clarkton, NC 28433 |
“People understand that it is the Elf Angels program,” Heustess said, “but it takes a community to make Elf Angels.”
The community and businesses have responded over the years with monetary donations and by helping to shop and organize. Elf Angels uses Families First and Bladen County Social Services and also checks with people in the community to help select families.
Donations may be mailed to Elf Angels Fund, 10578 South College Street, Clarkton, NC 28433. The fund is a recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. For more information, call Heustess at 910-874-1776.
If you prefer, foster children or senior adults can be adopted for the holiday season through Social Services by contacting program manager Jill Sampson at 910-862-6829 or jsampson@bladenco.org or Adult Protective Services supervisor Dena Patrick at 910-862-6893 or dpatrick@bladenco.org.
“If they don’t want to go through Elf Angels they can remember a grandparent and put a smile on an adult’s face that have no other family assisting them,” Heustess said.
The Elf Angels program began 20 years ago with a challenge to some folks to help families in need during the holidays. As it grew, it became a needy children’s fund and was set up as a non-profit. About 15 years ago, it was set up as a 501(c) as a non-profit federally. “We wanted to make sure we had everything legit,” Heustess said.
Last year, Elf Angels helped 27 foster children, 14 women and 13 men through Adult Services and 76 children through Families First, Heustess said.
The Elf Angels program also helps families throughout the year. It may be assisting a family who lost a home because of fire or providing gas cards for transportation so family members can take loved ones for out-of-county medical treatment. The organization sent Easter baskets to foster kids this year and helps older adults with clothing and personal products.
“It’s paying it forward,” Heustess said. “If you can’t do anything else, you can give somebody a smile. We want to help take the stress off a family in need so they can enjoy Christmas as much as they can.”
For Heustess and her elves, that was enough talk. It was time to make lists and check them twice to find out how many bicycles and baby dolls and winter coats and toys need to be bought to help Santa Claus bring smiles to Bladen County.
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