Urgently Needed for Women's Shelter

Just got this in from Fr. John - The women in the shelter need following items:  sanitary napkins, deodorant, diaper cream,  baby wipes, pull ups for toddlers and diapers large sizes 4-5-6.  If you can help, please let us know.  These are items are desperately needed.

Update on Fire Victim

The woman who was burned over 70% of her body is having a second graph done this week.  She is still in an induced coma and infection is setting in.  It's going to be a long road if she gets better.  

We will continue to post updates and a needs list for this family as we get more information on their status.  We are keeping them in our prayers.

Thank You Rebecca!

We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to Rebecca for her generous offer to provide Easter Baskets for all of the families listed in our last post.  Frankly, with Easter being so near - we were afraid we might not be able to get baskets for all of these kids in time!

Again, many thanks and God Bless.

Easter Baskets Needed

With Easter right around the corner, we have several families requesting help with baskets.  One family of 3 children: boy 5, boy 9, girl 11.  Another family of 4 children:  boy 3, boy 5, boy 6 and girl 5. Another family with 2 girls ages 6 and 8 yrs old.  Our last  family of six children already has someone making them Easter baskets.  If you would like to help make a child happy on this holiest of Christian holidays, please contact us.

Request from Peaches

Though they are not offered that frequently,   I am in search of  some outside children's toys.   We have some children  we help that  are lucky enough to have a little bit of outside space to play in.   It would be nice to have some toys for them.  It would not only give them something to do outside,   but also possibly start a lifetime full of physical activity.   Something all of us could use more of.  If you can help with this request, please contact us.

Our Fire Family

The family currently needs clothing.  Please help if you can.  Here's the info I got from Fr. John:

At this time we are only requesting help with clothing.   Sizes for anyone interested in helping are:

Son: Pant 52W 30L, Tops 3xL
Father: Pant 38w 32L shirts- XL - 2XL
Brother: 42w 32L shirts 2XL

We have no word on the condition of the woman who was burned.  As soon as we have more info to share I will post it here.

Most Recent Family in Dire Need - Fire Destroyed Everything

These people are the fire victims we are helping.  The mother had back surgery several weeks before the fire.  Due to the long rod in her back she was unable to get out of the house.    She is burnt on 70% of her body and is in St Barnabas Burn Center in an induced coma to help deal with all the pain.   At this time they do not have a place to live and are only looking for clothes.   Once they find a place they will need household items etc.. 

If anyone would like to make a financial donation toward helping this family, please send it to Fr.  John at Holy Angels, P.O. Box 185 Whiting NJ 08759.

As you can see by the pictures below, the house is a total loss.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT US

PLEASE NOTE OUR ADDRESS HAS CHANGED.  OUR NEW MAILING ADDRESS IS:

P. O. BOX 185

WHITING, NJ 08759

 OUR EMAIL ADDRESS IS STILL HOLYANGELS@LIVE.COM.

Items We Need - Please Help if You Can

Peaches tells me that we have at least 5 or 6 women who are pregnant - and due sometime in early Spring.  Most of these women are having boys.  We have absolutely nothing for boys 0 - 12 months.  If you or anyone you know has infant boy items they no longer need please leave a comment on the blog or contact us.  We will be happy to arrange a pick up at a time that is suitable for you.  

We are also looking for a floor lamp for a boys room.  We can also use infant gear of any kind - and children's books.

UPDATE TO THIS POST:  We are also collecting socks for the homeless.  Gently used or new please - I'm going to the Columbus Sale where they sell lots of good, inexpensive socks.

Thank you for any help you can give.

Another Day in the Life of Pat....I Wish We Could Save Them All

Went to Friendlys Restaurant the other day.  While inside eating, I noticed a man peering into the window.  He motioned to me he wanted to eat.  He kept putting his hand to his mouth.  He was a crusty looking white guy with a knit cap and big jacket on.  There were no gloves on his hands.  He looked like he had had a hard life.  As I looked around, everyone seemed oblivious to the man peering through the window.  How did this man decide on motioning to me and not someone else??  I will never know.  I couldn't eat my food with bloodshot eyes staring at me.  He looked like he hadn't slept nor bathed in a week.  I took my cheese fries and last 5 dollars and handed it to the man outside.  He grabbed the food and money and said thanks, hopped on a bike and took off.  I never did get his name.  He had spent more time looking through the window then actually in my presence.

I believe he was a homeless man.  Perhaps  from the homeless camp  in Toms River.  I guess I'll never know for sure.  I wanted to get him some gloves only he left before I could mention it to him.  As he rode down the road my thoughts went to wondering what happened in his life to bring  him to this point?  Did he have mental illness?   Did he just give up on life?  Perhaps his family went their seperate ways?  Maybe he lost a good paying job and home?  Whatever it was, I'll never know.  The reason I helped him was not so much because he was hungry it was more because that man could have been my father or my brother.  And I would hope that someone would do the same thing for them.  It was the right thing to do.  I can go home and look at myself in the mirror and feel that I made a small difference in someone's life.  I wonder if those who ignored him at Friendlys can say that?