LEWISTON — Some 60-plus residents at the Lewiston Housing Authority’s Blake Street Towers were provided a traditional Saturday dinner of beans and hot dogs recently. Baskets filled with food and personal care items, socks and other gifts were also given.

Residents had the opportunity to gather and socialize, have their fingernails done and see the costumes of the young volunteers, Everything was provided by Edie’s Angels, a group of friends and family of Mary McRae and her sister-in-law, Peggy McRae, nurses at CMMC.

The volunteers started doing this several years ago for Make a Difference Day and have returned every year. They also bring individual meals at Christmas to residents who may not have friends or family.

The idea for the project started several years ago. Mary had read about Make a Difference Day one Sunday morning in the Lewiston Sun Journal. She was just finishing her bachelor’s in nursing so could not participate that year.

In 2002, done with school, she approached her sisters-in-laws about a potential project. Mary had visited a resident at Blake Street Towers and knew many of the patients she served were residents there as well. She grew to realize the limitations these residents had and wanted to “Make a Difference.” Edie’s Angels were born.

Mary stated “My mother, Edith McRae, volunteered her entire life, she is the amazing woman that I use as a role model for citizenship. It is because of her leadership qualities that the three McRae girls started Edie’s Angels. In 2002 Michelle, Peggy and I were the foundation, but our friends and family are the glue that keeps us all together to help one another.”

Every fall since, through the continued efforts of Mary and Peggy, the “Angels” have worked with family and numerous volunteers to provide food baskets and other treats along with a meal to the residents of Blake Street Towers.