North Raleigh Today

The Successful Business Women group in Raleigh has once again taken charge of the “Be An Angel” campaign for Wake County.

This year, however, the focus won't be just on children.

The program is one of many with similar names in which people grab a tag, available at area businesses, and buy holiday gifts for families in need. The movement hits home for people like Amber Richon, founder of the local effort.

“I was raised by my grandparents in an impoverished family and it was people like us who reached out to my family and made sure we had food on the table and made sure we had presents underneath the tree,” Richon said in a WNCN report this week.

By founding Be An Angel, she is returning the favor. 

This year, the group will be serving more than 400 families. While some focus primarily on children, Be An Angel has broadened its effort to include collections for seniors as well as military veterans and their families.

Many people overlook the needs of seniors, but the holidays can be hard for them too. Friends of the Fuquay-Varina Homes for the Elderly has partnered with Successful Business Women to help distribute items to seniors in need. 

“Most of them live with very low incomes and we want to make sure they have all the necessities they needed,” Christine Williams, a member of Friends of the Fuquay-Varina Homes for the Elderly, said in the report.

One hopeful recipient is Williander Sydnor, whose husband is recovering from a stroke. She said the “Angels” campaign is helping her check necessities off her list and worry a lot less this holiday season. 

“It’s made him feel wonderful that [since] he can’t work anymore, they’re giving it to us,” Sydnor said.

Gifts should be dropped off before Tuesday, but there is still time for more people to participate. Drop-off locations—where 80 tags are still available—include Richon Planning, Abshure Realty Group, Catalan Tapas Bar, Brightway Insurance, Abbey Road, and The Fainting Goat.