Christmas Wish List

Well, here it comes - Christmas is right around the corner. As many of you know, we try to do as much as we can for the families in need - especially around the holidays - it is so important for the children - we think. We try to ensure the children of the families we serve are given some toys, clothing and books (Peaches wants every child to have plenty of books). Things to stimulate their creativity or just books that take them places or tell them comforting stories.

We know how tough times are - believe me - and if any of you can find it in your hearts to donate a new toy or book or pj's or doll - whatever - wrapping paper, ribbon, tape - stocking stuffers - baby items - baby toiletries, diapers - financial donations - anything at all - it would be a great help to us. Last year Ruth and I made bunches of flannel pj pants and quite a few Xmas outfits for the little girls. Ruth bought crayons and coloring books - I bought tights and shoes. Fr. John, Pat and Peaches purchased all kinds of gifts - wrapping paper and ribbon - you name it. Your generosity would really help to us to be able to provide a joyous holiday - maybe even buy a few turkeys for those less fortunate.

We still have not found a place we can afford as a centralized collection, sorting and distribution center - we are still relying on each other's homes and our storage units -OUR wish list is for some monetary donations to help pay for our truck and the cost of running it, to help pay for our storage facility, to help purchase needed items for our families.

Another New Family

We have just picked up another family of 5. The Dad is out of work and lost his benefits. He is waiting for unemployment to start while he looks for work - and we know how "easy" that is (NOT).

The family is made up of:
1 toddler girl 3 yrs old, wears size 3t
1 young girl 6 yrs old, wears size 7/8
1 teen girl 15 yrs old, wears junior 4
1 teen boy 14 years, wears adult medium
Mom wears medium(Dad wants nothing )his neighbor and wife asked for assistance. People are proud and famiies always want for their children - not for themselves. Again, please help if you can. As we get more details about this family we will post it here.

Thanks again to all of our donors for their continued generosity and support.

Our Newest family of 6 - Please Can You help?

These people are hurting - if you can help in any way, please contact us.

Family of 6:
boy age 4: shoe size 10-11, underwear5/6
boy age 9: shoe size-3, pants-10, shirts-8/10
girl age 11: shoe size 3/4 girls or 5 adult, tops & pants 14/16 girls
girl age 17: shoe size 8-1/2-9, medium adult tops, medium-large women pants; also would like a little make up
pregnant girl age 19: shoe size 9, pants large,coat large, bras 36c, maternity tops large
boy 20(on unemployment needs underwear and coat size xxl
mom needs size small tops and pants works 2 days a week,shoe size 7
dad, depressed needs large shirts and underwear,1 nice shirt for church. He desperately needs at least 1 pr of sneakers size 10.

( The children said they would like coloring books and crayons,nail polish and peanut butter)

Season of Thanks Giving

Hi Everyone! I just received my annual donation card from the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. They do such important work. I'd like to remind everyone that for every $10.00 donation, the Food Banks can purchase a 12 pound turkey for a family in need. There are many Food Bank organizations across the Delaware Valley. Please think about those less fortunate than you and if you can, send them a monetary donation or check out their web sites for lists food items they need. You can also donate online, that's where I'm headed right now. The thought of anyone not having enough to eat brings tears to my eyes. Thanks, Suzann

Thank You

We would like to thank the Shop Rite of Howell for their donation of a gift card for our father of 4. We also would like to thank Rebeka from Monmouth for her work to help our most recent fire victims.

We Desperately Need......

We are in desperate need of cribs, pack-n-plays and other baby furniture type items, strollers, swings - please if you know of anyone who may be looking to find a home for their no longer needed baby stuff - would you have them get in touch with Fr. John asap.

I wrote to several of the manufacturers asking if they would consider donating to an organization as small as ours - but to date - I have not had a response and the one I did get referred me to their parent organization. Our need is NOW - while it would be wonderful to be the recipient of the products these companies produce - the reality is - we need stuff now. Our sincere thanks for whatever help you can provide us.

Huge Thanks to Melodi from Jackson

Oct.20/09-A HUGE thank you to Melodi from Jackson. She donated enough clothes for our 17 year old's twins for their first six months. All season clothes - YES!! She has been a blessing to our organization. Thanks to her generosity, all we need now are 2 cribs, one pack-n-play and baby bottles. Of course she will need diapers, formula and the day-to-day baby items - please, if you can help us -let us know and we will be happy to arrange a pick up.

Update On Fire Victims

I just received the particulars on the newest fire victims - a young mother, her 1 year old son and her Mom. Hhere is the updated list...

From Peaches: "Whatever I am getting I hope to have it by Tuesday so I can drop it on Wednesday or I will have no way to get it there..."

They need groceries, personal hygiene, everything one would lose in a fire replaced

Grandmom- is 5'2" more of a tee-shirt & jeans girl- size 6 pants, medium shirts
she does have a winter jacket

(Young mom) - is wearing 16 (sometimes 18) jeans- L/XL shirts
she is in desperate need of bras (40DD) and Size 7/8 underwear
she has one winter jacket

Jacob (1 year old)

SOCKS & CLOTHING!! SIZE 12-18 months- shoe size she isn't sure of- i would guess 4 for now -5 for future bc he is smaller than my 1 year old.
pajamas
hat mitten and gloves
is in need of umbrella stroller
all toys were lost in fire
blanket & pillow for crib
pack 'n play
toothbrush & baby toothpaste
other items a 1 year old would like

~~~
The grandmother does not have a home to bring items too just yet- but she lost everything and is in need of silverware, pillows, bed blankets, sheets size full, plates, cups, measuring cups, kitchen accessories

~~~~they own 4 cats- and are in need of cat beds, leashes & collars, cat food, litter

They are currently trying to find homes for two of them...

BLACK FEMALE CAT- NAMED ANGEL- SPAYED 2 YRS. OLD- IS GREAT WITH ADULTS AND OTHER CATS- IS NOT GOOD WITH CHILDREN- VERY SKITTISH WHEN FIRST HANDLED.

BUTTON- 11 YR. OLD FEMALE CAT- GREAT WITH EVERYONE- VERY NICE CAT- GOOD WITH OTHER CATS.

New Fire Victim's

This just in from Peaches....a newly single Mom and her 1 year old son just moved in with her Mother. They had a house fire and lost everything. They need everything - I can't even imagine how they must be holding up. The little guy needs clothing of all kinds and he is size 12-18 months. The grandmother wears size 6 pants, medium tops and size 8 shoes. They will also need groceries and baby items - diapers, wipes, etc. As soon as I have more info I will post it here - we are waiting for clothing sizes for the Mom and another friend. If you can help - please let us know. As always, we are happy to arrange a pickup at a time that is convenient for you.

Update on Our Father of Four from Jackson

I received an email from the woman who is spearheading the help for the Dad who lost his wife in that tragic accident in Jackson. Since I know many of you were asking, here is her response - including sizes of the children - I am sure they are growing by leaps and bounds.

"Thank You He is doing ok as well as expected and I will tell him u were asking about him. He appreciates all u have done for him. The children are 4 months and 15 months girls, the older girl is 4 and the boy is 6(he is big) probably size 8 to 10. The infants are small so probably 6 months and 24 months sizes. He got a great response from so many people, friends, family and the craigs listing. I appreciate all the help you all have given me and can not thank you all enough. If you ever need help with anything please feel free to call me. thank you talk soon."

"So You Thought It Was Easy?!?!"

Here are a few pictures of one of our recent pick ups. Several women in Monmouth County were going to have a yard sale - but after reading our blog decided to donate to us. That's Fr. John - trying to fold down a baby swing so it will fit in with all the other gear.

The woman in these pictures is Rebeka - our contact person for this donation. Thank you Rebeka - and your friends - I bet this stuff will go out quicker than it came in to us!!

Baby Needs List

Per the posting below - does anyone have a stroller that can accomodate twins? Or by the Grace of God - one of the big ones that can hold the twins and the big sister? She is going to need double of everything - car seats, bassinets, swings - she will also need formula and diapers - probably needs diapers for her little girl as well. Infant sleepers - you name it. Yikes! Thank you for your generosity.

Help Please

Fr. John received this email just the other day - Of course she is eligible for our help - we would never turn anyone away. While I can understand her parents consternation, she still needs help. Children do not ask to be born. If any of you have items to donate for this young woman would you please contact us.

"Hi, I am 17, I live in Ocean County, NJ. I have an 18 month old daughter and am expecting fraternal twins in November. My parents kicked me out on the street and I found a small motel where my friend lives, she's the one who gave me your email and I was wondering if I was eligible for your help as I don't have much money or anything for my daughter to play with or for the twins arrival. Please email me back asap thanks "

Note to this young woman - if you are reading this - we will do whatever we can to help you.

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Food Pantry Info

We have had many requests for information on the area food pantries. Their site is Statewide Emergency Food and Anti-Hunger Network. It lists all the food pantries by county and has information on how to be a food donor and other info. Here is the link to their site: http://www.sefan.org/gpage.html3.html

Thank You to Medford Rotary Club

We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to the Medford Rotary Club for inviting us to present our organization to their group on October 6th. They were introduced to us via donations we made to them for the Pedals for Progress bike drive they sponsored at Johnson's Farm in September.

Fr. John discussed the mission for the Reys of Hope Project based here in Southern NJ, as well as Holy Angels Children's Society Hospice and Orphanage in Haiti. He felt very welcome and was glad t0 have the opportunity to discuss our work and the progress we have made helping others.

Our Newest Princess-Thank You from her Mom

Our newest little princess. Donated items made it possible that she had what she needed before she arrived. Her mom, who has ok'd the use of her photograph wrote---"my baby arrived on Aug.28th she was 6lbs 10 oz . We love her to death and are blessed to have her. I was so thankful to you for the stuff you got me... it came in handy. Right now I am wonderful with baby clothes thanks to you .. I have probably enough until she is 1 year old. I thank you so much because they were very nice and well taken care of clothes. I am also good on kitchen items, you gave me some awesome non stick pots which I use often.. I have used them more than my old ones i have.. plus the microwave has made my life so much easier. Thank you....since you asked what we could still use the only thing that would come in handy would be a Pack-n-Play. Oh by the way, I don't think I could do anything without that stroller you gave me. I walk to school and any store we need to go to with it..I use it every single day. Again I thank you for all you have done for me and I am so glad i met you".

More Pictures of the Rotary Club Presentation

These next pictures are the Reys of Hope poster and Fr. John heading out the door to the meeting.

Presenting at the Medford Rotary Club

Fr. John was invited to speak at the Rotary Club about Holy Angels Children's Society and the Reys of Hope Project. We thought you might like to see a few pictures of them preparing for the meeting. Here's Pat working on the posters.

This one is for the Holy Angels Children's Hospice in Haiti.

A Thank You for Us from Lori

I want to thank you sooooooo much from the bottom of my heart for your sincere generosity. My family was so pleased for all your help. I can not believe you took the time to come to me to drop them off. I am completely grateful. The clothes and toys were such a help. Once again, I am so thankful.
God Bless Lori

Our Statistics for 2009 to Date

WOW! Our Group has been very busy - check out these stats

We have helped over 150 families since January 1/09.

Krystal's drop offs since joining us are as follows:

7-Camden County

3-Gloucester County

2-Atlantic County

2-Cumberland County

5-Camden County

1-Salem County

Fr John And Pat's drop offs

15-Ocean County

3-Burlington Couty

3-Gloucester County

2-Mercer County

8-Atlantic County

3-Other

Peaches drop offs

77-Burlington County

1 Cumberland County

12-Camden County

2-Mercer County

2-Gloucester County

2-Ocean County

7-Other

Other = counties not in our usual service area, however due to the desperate need, we helped!