“Not all angels wear wings, some wear scrubs.” This has been the message shared by Dora Thornton who has taken on the task of honoring front line medical workers who have continued to serve their communities amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Thornton owns and operates MeMaw’s Ceramics and has been creating ceramics for over 25 years.
When the big shutdown occurred only a few months ago Thornton stumbled across an amazing idea while scrolling Facebook. A friend of hers living in New York who also works in ceramics posted the idea of creating angels for front line workers. Thornton said, “I thought that was wonderful, but she was doing it out of her own pocket, and I knew I couldn’t afford to do that at the time.”
She continued to see the angels posted online and was prompted to open her Bible, which led her to Isaiah 6:8, which says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’” And I said, “Here I am. Send me!”
Thornton took that as a sign and said, “Ok, Lord, I will do it. I know this came from you.” This set her on her path to creating the “Angels Wear Scrubs Ministry.” She explained the mission of the ministry was to provide medical workers who face COVID-19 every day with a token of appreciation. The angels would be faceless to represent the nameless and faceless heroes who selflessly go out and face the virus every day.
Thornton committed to the project on May 11 and posted what she wanted to accomplish on her Facebook page. Thornton then reached out to the company that makes the mold for the angels she would be creating. After explaining her mission the company generously donated the mold, which saved her a substantial amount of money. After seeing her message on Facebook, supporters came in droves to help financially. Thornton called her ceramic materials supplier, and he and his daughter donated some materials and gloss to help create the angels. She has received $600 in donations to help fund the project.
Thornton said, “God’s hands were all in this, and I was just happy to be a part of it.”
With everything in hand Thornton began producing these tokens of appreciation. She explained that she could make approximately 60 angels a day. All of the work is done at her home. Thornton pours the molds on her carport and has two kilns used to heat the ceramics.
Her team originally consisted of her husband, Ralph Thornton, sister Annette Riley, and friends Myra and David Fuller. Everyone played an important role in each step of the process. The ceramic angels were created, glossed, and put into a bag with a message that reads “Not all Angels wear wings, some wear Scrubs.” Her team has since dwindled down to just her Thornton and her husband on account of the virus.
Thornton explained how important it was to let health care workers know how much they are appreciated. She could relate because her daughter works in healthcare. She said, “These are our unsung heroes going to battle with the virus every day. My daughter works in a hospital and I know what she goes through every day helping people and trying not to bring the virus home to her family.”
Since the start Thornton has produced over 2,800 angels. These angels are given to hospitals and other health care staff members at no cost to them. The only thing that she has asked for in return after the angels are delivered is a picture of the smiling faces to share with the people who have helped make the mission possible.
To date Angels Wear Scrubs Ministry has distributed angels to health care facilities in places such as Simpson General Hospital, South Central Regional Medical Center, Forest General Hospital, Jasper County, Magee, Columbia, Meridian, and Collins. She is currently working on an order of 1,600 angels for Anderson Hospital.
Thornton continues to take orders for facilities looking to receive angels. She said, “I’m not turning anyone down. We’re going to keep going. I plan to follow through until the Lord says that is enough.”
She said, “I just want all front line workers to know that there are people who realize what they are going through and appreciate what they’re doing.”
Thornton said it has been an awesome adventure that she is blessed to be a part of. Anyone wanting to receive angels can reach Dora Thornton on her business Facebook page at MeMaw’s Ceramics or at 601-319-8263.
