The 20th annual Forgotten Angels Project, which provides small holiday gifts for residents of personal care facilities, is seeking help from community members.
“These residents are often younger and may live with mental illness rather than physical limitations,” Pennyrile District ombudsman Cindy Tabor said in a letter to potential supporters. “Sadly, they are also among the most overlooked by friends, family and society. This project helps ensure they’re remembered and celebrated during the holiday season.”
The recipients of Forgotten Angel gifts in Hopkinsville include some residents of Pennyrile Personal Care Home on Noel Avenue and Christian County Manor on Richard Street.
Each person in the Forgotten Angels program is asked to share one wish valued at $25 or less. Their anonymous wish is placed on angel tree at the Pennyrile Area Development District office in Hopkinsville.
Community members may adopt an angel by visiting the PADD office at 300 Hammond Drive or by calling or emailing to request angels. The program also accepts monetary donations.
“In addition to fulfilling one wish, many people also choose to donate stocking stuffers,” said Tabor.
Stocking stuffers can include snacks, small games, stationery, socks, gloves and personal care items. Items not allowed include razors, mouthwash or glass items.
“Some donors fill a large holiday bag with extra goodies to accompany their angel’s gift,” said Tabor.
All gifts, left unwrapped, should be returned to the PADD office by Monday, Dec. 14.
Additional information is available by contacting Tabor at 270-886-9484. Her email address is Cindy.Tabor@ky.gov.
Tabor told Hoptown Chronicle that the program seeks to provide holiday gifts for 400 personal care home residents in the nine Pennyrile counties.
Additional ideas for stocking stuffers
- Snacks — instant coffee, potato chips, pretzels, Cheez-Its, Goldfish, popcorn, Cracker Jacks, nuts, trail mix, raisins, dried fruit, peanut butter or cheese crackers, Slim Jims, beef jerky, snack cakes, cookies, mini donut packs, Moon Pies, Pop-Tarts, granola bars, chocolate-covered cherries, candy canes, hard candy, chocolate and sodas (cans, small bottles and 2-liter bottles)
- Games and activities — dominoes, checkers, Uno cards, playing cards, Skip-Bo, Phase 10, books and movies
- Stationery — pocket calendars, spiral notebooks, adult coloring books, puzzle and word-search books, pens, pencils, colored pens and markers
- Comfort and personal care items — socks, gloves, scarves, throws, body wash, body sprays, lotions, hairbrush, combs, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant
