An Awesome Thank You!!!

We'd like to share a Christmas Thank You - this makes it all worthwhile:

"I want to take this opportunity to again thank you ladies and all the members of Reyes of Hope for your assistance. I really don't know what I would've done this year without your generosity. My babies, 4yr old daughter and 9yr old son were soooo happy to see all the gifts under the Christmas tree. My son jumped up and down when he saw his bike and our daughter held onto her baby doll for the longest!!

Peaches - My husband and I thank you for making the long trip. For packing up the truck and being our personal Mrs. Claus!!

Susan - as I told you previously I was overwhelmed with tears knowing the kids will have warm coats. You and your husband taking the time to purchase and mail my children coats really touched my heart to the point I was in tears.

Just a few notes about Christmas 2013

We delivered gifts with the guitar to the young man in Cape May Co.The very first thing he did was play the guitar.He was more interested in that then any other gift we gave him.He had a smile ear to ear.So to the person who donated to this family you made their day!
Fr John asked alittle boy if he could tell Jesus anything what would it be?response' Dont talk to strangers and only take gifts at Christmas time
2 boys were talking one said"oh my dad has found the Lord,the other one said,I didnt know he was lost
A little girl received a beautiful doll that had the mouth sort of opened.Later when her mom asked her where the doll was she said "under my pillow so the tooth fairy could bring her some teeth.This little 4 yr old girl loves her doll but she isnt sure why she has no teeth lol
A diabetic woman who wanted dog food for her dog was given a big bag of dog food and a card for Walmart.She was so estatic.She said now I can get my dog his favorite dog bones and can food.She never once considered anything for herself.(definately an animal lover
The woman who feeds feral cats appreciated all the cat food we gave her.We also gave her a pair of gloves,hat and shawl which we recieved from Linda's Hats (organization )
Christmas eve a young boy wrote a thank you letter to Santa before any presents were delivered.It said"Santa right now under the tree is empty so you have plenty of room to leave something.Thank you for the presents I have been a good boy except i broke one thing.I glued it so does that count

UPDATE in reference to Christmas

Peachess delivered to:
Camden Co. 9 adults 16 children
Atlantic Co.3 adults 3 children
Burlington Co.24 adults 35 children
Essex Co  2 adults 2 children
Cumberland Co 3 adults 4 children
Delaware 1 adult 3 children
Total people 106 who received gifts
*note, the woman in Delaware use to live in NJ. Because she still is struggling financially Peachess came through for her again even though she no longer lives in our state
Fr.John,Pat & Debbie delivered to;
54 children mostly in Ocean County(1 in Cape May Co)
not counting sending items for Christmas to 4 families on Pine Ridge Reservation
as you can see Peachess is very precise when it comes to keeping count for Christmas.
Dorothy delivers to numerous low income projects in Cumberland and Camden County so its difficult to get an exact number from her.
All in all none of this could of happened without generous people such as yourselves.

A personal thank you

All the way from Tennessee. A womans group crotched/knitted hats and scarves for us to give to those in need for Christmas. The group's name is called MADISON STATION FIFTY FORWARD GROUP.
We have been so blessed this year to have this wonderful knitting/crocheting group to think of us this holiday. Many children were thrilled with their hats and scarves which we matched up with a pair of gloves.

IF ANYONE HAPPENS TO GET NEW DISHES & TOWELS FOR CHRISTMAS WE COULD SURE USE YOUR OLD ONES

THE SITUATION AT THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSE.8 MUGS IN THE CABINET AND 9 DISHES AND SOME LOOSE SILVERWARE.SEVERAL BEACH TOWELS CUT IN HALF SO SEVERAL PEOPLE CAN USE THEM TO DRY OFF AFTER A BATH.THESE FEW ITEMS ARE ALL FOR 14 WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN.NO ONE HAS ASKED FOR THESE ITEMS OUR MAIN CONCERN WAS TO GET SOME GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN.WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A NICE GESTURE IF WE COULD SURPRISE THEM WITH THESE ITEMS PERHAPS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

We hope whatever holiday you celebrate it will be wonderful

Whether you are celebrating Christmas,Chanukah,Kwanza or Ramadan.
May you be amoung loving family/friends

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

UPDATE FROM PEACHESS

RECIEVED AN EMAIL THIS MORNING.PEACHESS WENT YESTERDAY TO DO SOME OF HER DROP OFFS.WENT TO ONE HOUSE WHERE THERE WAS A VERY PATHETIC CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS TREE WITH HARDLY ANY DECORATIONS ON IT.AND NOTHING UNDER THE TREE.NOT EVEN 1 GIFT.SHE SAID THE PARENT WAS SO  GRATEFUL TO HAVE GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN.THE CHILDREN WANTED THE TREE PUT UP JUST INCASE SANTA SHOWED UP SO HE WOULD KNOW WHERE TO LEAVE THE GIFTS.THANK GOODNESS FOR OUR GENEROUS DONATORS.OR THESE CHILDREN WOULD OF BEEN HEART BROKEN.OF COURSE PEACHESS IS EXHAUSTED FROM ALL THE PICK UPS,DROP OFFS AND WORKING IN BETWEEN.BUT SAID IT WAS WELL WORTH IT.THANK YOU TO ALL FOR HELPING MAKE THIS YEAR ANOTHER SUCCESS!

6 Pointsettes for 6 porches

Each Pointsette was left on a strangers door.Why -just because its the holiday.Tis the season for giving.Other than that I needed no reason.

We met Santas Elves at parking lot in Forked River

This is Mary,her husband,her son and the little cutie is her grandson.It definately was a family affair.Thanks to them for helping us meet our deadline.

Check out these donations

 I can say one thing we get some very nice items to give out for Christmas.I can just imagine all the smiling faces.

Volunteer Debbie picked up a truckload of donations

I dont know what we would do without Debbie.Debbie went to Pt Pleasant and picked up some clothes and toy donation for us.While I was stuck dropping off some gifts on the same day.When I returned home Debbie showed up.Some of the items stayed at our place the rest went to Peachess.Peachess was so happy to see we had some items for her families for Christmas .

More donations for families for Christmas

This nice folk guitar with a case was bought for family 14 son.Wont he be surprise.His guitar had been ruined in Hurricane Sandy.














A toy for a young boy












A Santa bag full of presents






Some cars and small trucks for a family with boys





Yeah! found the perfect doll for a little 4 yr old girl












 These 2 dolls with their very own wardrobe are for a girl who is 6yr old

Some gifts wrapped for families on Christmas list

Volunteer Susan baked some homemade cookies for Fr John

 Fr John had a whole can of choclate chip and sugar cookies.He shared 2 to me,and insisted on me taking a picture of him.(of course I didnt tell him I was posting it in the blog,lol)

Volunteer Debbie gave Fr John a cushion for his back 4 holidays

 But as you can see the cat thinks its for him to lay on.

LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE WILL GET SOME GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS YEAH!

We were down to the wire with a few more gifts needed. But lo and behold Santa's helpers were listening. And all will be taken care of.  Thank you, thank you ,thank you. We just cant say thank you enough.

Dorothy recycles clothes hangers for use on grave blankets

A daughter who helped her mom

This gorgeous little girl is name Eva,her mom is Yilan. Every Christmas Yilan picks 1 or 2 families off our Christmas list.This year she had alittle helper.And Eva was more than happy to pose with the packages .

Dorothy delivered items to Camden area

Some of the people said they were going to wrap items so their children would have a present for Christmas.

Response to the person who asked?

The mother in family 14 is battling Cancer. She has been added to our prayer list. Please take a moment and pray for Dominic's mom Pat. Her son had been a volunteer for an organization one Summer. Pat said ,her son is always eager to help anyone if he can, and has been a real blessing.

When I told the mother of family 14 someone adopted her son she said;

I am so grateful!!!
Its true the Lord is always with us,even in our darkest hours.
I pray a lot because I am always so very ill.But,he always takes
care of us,look how wonderful those people were who bought gifts
for my son.He will be so happy !!!As I wrote the other day you have given
me hope Father John,you and your wonderful people working for the
Lord!I am so thankful to everyone that has helped us.
Again I am blessed that I met you somehow through God I know.
Please have a blessed Christmas and tell these wonderful people I said
THANK YOU and merry Christmas to them.
p.s. I will never forget this miracle,but that's what Christmas is about MIRACLES!!!!!

NOT SURE IF WE SHOULD SCREAM OR JUST PULL OUR HAIR OUT

Request just came in today.
A woman would like to know if we could get Christmas gifts for the children in the Transitional House she is staying at.Her 2 children will have several gifts and she does not want the other children seeing her children being remembered and they thinking Santa forgot them.Wow,wish she had asked us sooner.There are 14 women not counting herself.2 woman are pregnant and have no baby clothes.Not sure of due dates.Boys are as follows
2 mos old boy/10 mos old boy/11 mos old boy/2 yr old boy/4 yrold boy/10 yr old boy-10 yr old

GIRLS ARE AS FOLLOWS;
3 mos girl/14 mos girl/1 yr girl/7 yr girl/11 yr girl/12 yr girl

*WOULD LIKE 2 BLACK DOLLS

A Thank you email from Family 14 on Christmas List

Hi
I wanted to let you know you have helped me , just by acknowledging that I need help. It has renewed my hope in people.I wish the world was more Christian like,even for the holidays ,everyone can be so abrupt and not truly understand when people are really in need. You have given me hope this season!So God bless you and keep you healthy to teach others what it is to be kind.
TY Fr.John and have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

We Would Like to Share....................................

Thank you to Basant for this kind review of our organization on Facebook-

"i just want to thank all the members and donaters of this page i had atleast 10 families that were turned down for help this year for xmas from other places and their kids would of never had anything for xmas but a friend of mine directed me to this page and now all the families and kids will have a xmas and very much thankful, so thank you to everyone involved."

We are happy we were able to help - and it is a credit to all our generous donors - Thank You!

Anthony Picks Up Christmas Gifts For families in need

 This is a picture of Anthony holding one of the gifts that will be given to some families in need.As usual I thought it would be a good opportunity for a picture.lol  And Fr John didnt mine posing as usual.

On the way to drop off some gifts

BRRRRRRRRRRR,cold but atleast the roads are clear.The gifts will find there way under the Christmas tree for some lucky children.Households will hide them until Christmas eve.Hopefully no one will discover the hiding spots

REQUEST TODAY FOR A SHOPRITE CARD

Dear Fr John
     I am so low on food.I applied for food stamps but it will take awhile they told me to process.
Is there any way someone could donate me a shoprite card?Any amount would be a blessing.I have 1
child.We are not asking for any gifts just some food if possible.Tried a food pantry last week but will soon be out of food by Christmas.Happy Holidays to you and your volunteers.

UH-OH - PLEASE READ.......

ATTENTION PLEASE

 

It has come to our attention that someone has emailed a person asking for financial donations for our organization.  WE DO NOT PERSONALLY EMAIL PEOPLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.  Nor do we have people representing our organization asking for money.  We only ask for financial donations for Christmas help through our blog or our ROH facebook page.  If anyone sends a personal request please IGNORE it.  There are so many bad people in the world who try to take advantage of those who give.  We have a Paypal link on our blog. THAT IS THE SAFEST WAY FOR MONETARY DONATIONS TO GO DIRECTLY TO US.  If anyone attempts to contact you and want any info etc..related to us it is most likely a SCAM.  Again, only donate to us through our Paypal link on our blog or mail a check to our postoffice box.     When in doubt about anything pertaining to our small organization please email us directly at holyangels@live.com
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS TO HELP THOSE IN NEED. 

Someone Requesting Help for a Friend...............

"Hi All, I'm here to request your help.  One of my dearest friends is in need of some Christmas help.    She called the church just after Thanksgiving and was told she would receive a call last week.  The call never came and each time she called to check in, they kept saying she would get a call.  Well today when she called she was told they do not have her name on their list and it's too late to receive help.  I just spoke with her and she was in tears, they are behind on their bills and have no way to make Christmas happen this year.   If anyone could help me help them I would appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.  It kills me to hear the sadness she is feeling.

She has 3 children, Boy age 10, Girl age 9 and a Boy age 2.  I will meet anyone anywhere for any kind of donation you may be able to give me.  I am located in Waretown, NJ.  Thank you!"

IF ANYONE CAN HELP - PLEASE CONTACT US!!  THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!!

A card with a check recieved yesterday

2 weeks ago this is all we had for the children for Christmas

Thank God Santa's helpers were listening to our plea for toys-look how pathetic these 2 containers look

Debbie holding a few donations

Winter clothes donations

Money donations

 Have no excuse now not to deliver,we can buy gas.And some items for those in need.Thanks to some super generous people who remember us every year at Christmas time.Yeah!

Santas helpers have come thru for us again

Donations  have found its way to our garage for those in need.
Huge toy donation from Laurie in Pt Pleasant(she is truely a God sent)

Drop off to Dorothy for Christmas

Many of these items will go to the low income families who's
parent/parents live on less than 800 dollars a month with food stamps.
Alot of the children Dorothy gives to are estatic when they recieve 1 new toy.A few children actually thought last year that Santa gave them special to her for her to give to them,lol