When Christmas rolls around this year, some Davie families will benefit from the volunteer work of some angels – Ashley’s Angels.

The group of employees from Ashley Furniture in Advance formed in February, and quickly went to work getting tax-exempt status, adopting bylaws, electing officers.

And raising money.

“Our goal is to help at least 50 families,” said Jessica Tilley, treasurer and a director of Ashley’s Angels. “We’re trying to start small, what we can handle, and branch out from there.”

“We’re getting a lot of support, from employees and the community,” said Doug Arledge, a director.

Employees know about the project through in-house communications, and payroll deductions can be done to contribute.

They’re also holding fundraisers, including a golf tournament earlier in the summer.

The project started within the company, which operates a manufacturing and distribution facility off Baltimore Road in Advance, when a truck driver in Mississippi met a little girl named “Ashley” who was living in her car with her mother. He got together with other truck drivers to provide Christmas gifts for the family.

The Advance Ashley’s Angels also plan to help the whole family, working with  Pinebrook, Shady Grove and Cornatzer elementar school staff to identify the families.