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OUR YUCAIPA | MARCH 2016 19 clothing for their families, completely free of charge. Ellison's project started in 2015 through the Yucaipa Angels Facebook page created to bring community members together to help each other. Local mothers were the first to reach out, asking for school clothes for their children, and Facebook members joyfully obliged. "That first year we provided 25 children with back to school outfits from head to toe. People took them shopping, donated money, and gave what they had to help," said Ellison. "Then the blessings just began to flow down through everybody, and I began to collect clothing at my house." Soon her spare bedroom, small shed, and even living room became filled with bags of donated clothing, and Ellison found herself running, for all intents and purposes, a full time donation center. "I've lived in Yucaipa for 30 years and always knew it to be a loving and giving town," said Ellison. "But to see what people will do to help each other and see all the grace in this town is amazing." Ellison and a few volunteers sort the donations, and she invites anyone who needs it to come to her house to pick out clothes. She says three to six families go through her closets daily. In December, she held a coat drive, and was able to give out coats, sleeping bags, and winter wear during a Christmas Day dinner volunteers held in the Sails Drugs parking lot. A Yucaipa Angels Facebook member, Anthony McCune, first suggested the idea, and it took off. It was a true community effort, with no churches or other organizations involved. Food, warm blankets, clothing, and purses with supplies for women were all donated from Yucaipa Angels Facebook members. "It was amazing to be able to help those who needed it and see the smiles on their faces," said Ellison. Ellison says the members of the Yucaipa Angels Facebook page are local citizens from young parents to senior citizens, who see a need and get busy filling it. Routine projects range from helping a senior citizen in a mobile home park with their yard, to outfitting a veteran with everything he needs for a home, from a refrigerator to dishes. "Everything is free and donated by grace," said Ellison. With the success of Yucaipa Angels, Ellison is dreaming big. She says she'd love to have a building in Yucaipa to move the clothing exchange into, and even eventually add volunteer counseling services and even food giveaways. "It would operate like a non-profit, everything would always be free," said Ellison. "It's all about loving our town." For now, Ellison is keeping busy enough with day-to-day requests. She's also trying to fulfill a unique Christmas time request: toy donations for needy grandparents. "Last Christmas I had a lot of grandparents say they just couldn't afford a gift for their grandchildren and they felt terrible about it. So we've already begun a toy drive where grandparents can come in and pick a gift to give to their grandchild. It's a twist on what the fireman do," Ellison said. Ellison welcomes toy donations for all ages. She also always needs clothing, shoes, packaged underwear and socks. She doesn't have room to collect appliances or house wears. She's hoping to coordinate an Easter dinner this month. Volunteers and supplies are always welcome. You can contact Ellison through the Yucaipa Angels Facebook page or Facebook messenger. Carrie Ellison, founder of Yucaipa Angels Deputy Chris Bertetto and Mari Winter speaking with Randy, a veteran who is now successfully off the streets and into permanent housing Picking up free supplies at the Christmas dinner The infant section of the Yucaipa clothes closet Mari Winter, third from left, with some of her friends Mari Winter and Kelly V. give thumbs up the afternoon he was taken to rehab and began changing his life