Lovely Sisters of Boston, a local charitable organization based in Dorchester, is spreading the gospel of giving during this year’s holiday season. The organization was founded four years ago by Ebere Ihionu, who also owns Elegance African Fashions clothing boutique. Ihionu says a fire accident in 2013 that left her with severe burns was a driving force behind her starting the nonprofit.

“I was at Mass General for two weeks, and I saw all these other people in pain in the burn unit,” she explained. “So after seeing that, I decided I’m going to give all I have to help ease someone else’s pain.”

Over the past four years, Lovely Sisters has raised funds and collected items such as toiletries, groceries, and clothing to donate to groups like Victory Programs, a nonprofit that supports individuals and families experiencing homelessness or addiction; Rosie’s Place, an organization for homeless women and victims of domestic violence; and Boston Children’s Hospital.

The group has fifteen members from Boston and surrounding communities, including Stoughton, Malden, and Lynn.

Last Wednesday, Ihionu and three other members of the organization chatted and watched television in her living room as they bagged up a collection of winter coats, mittens, hats, strollers, toys, and other supplies to be donated to local women and children centers. 

Regina Awah, a founding member of the organization, said that her difficult experience immigrating to Boston from her native Cameroon left her with a sense of duty to give back to the community.

“I left five kids and a husband in Cameroon, and so coming here without family was painful,” she explained. “All I did was cry. But I met people who let me stay with them and clean their homes. People would give me stuff to send home to my kids...now I can take care of myself, so I feel it’s time for me to give back.”

Another member, Therese Ndiwine, said the “honesty and transparency” at the heart of Lovely Sisters was a big factor in her joining. “I’ve been with other organizations and nonprofits who don’t always do the right thing,” she said. “They ask for money and say they’re going to give it to a place, but then don’t follow through. Lovely Sisters was different. They have what I’m looking for.”

Ndiwine’s spirit of generosity also comes from personal experience: When she gave birth to her first son prematurely, she had nothing to wrap him in. But kind donors gave her blankets, sweaters, and other clothes during her son’s months-long stay in the hospital.

An important part of the work Lovely Sisters does is the personal connection they forge with individuals, said Ihionu.

“We don’t just go to the shelter and give the stuff to representatives. We demand to meet the people, talk to them face to face, give them a hug. Talking to them, you hear their stories, and realize that so many of them are just victims of circumstance.”

After meeting last year’s fundraising goal of $15,000, Ihionu raised the bar to $20,000 this year. The nonprofit got a boost from its recent Thanksgiving dinner fundraising event, but Ihionu is hoping that the impending season of giving will encourage people to be generous over the last few weeks of the year.

“You don’t have to give big,” she pointed out. “You can give what little you have; no matter how small, it goes a long way.”

Learn more about Lovely Sisters of Boston at lovelysistersofboston.org. Donations can be made in the form of checks sent to 54 Mt. Everett St., Dorchester, MA 02125.