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Sunday, August 31, 2014

THANKS

Thank you Melodi from Jackson for the children's items & toys
Thank you Bonnie from Toms River for the children's clothes
Thank you volunteer Debbie for picking up items for us
Thank you Debbie also for sending much needed items to the Pine Ridge Reservation
Thank you volunteer Susan for picking up baby items from our silent volunteer
Thank you John from Whiting for donating $50.00 to the Holy Angels Children's Society account

Thursday, August 28, 2014

WANTED

Winter will be here again before you know it.We are looking for long sleeve shirts and clothes for children.We always need baby blankets,desitin and baby items
cat food needed for a woman who feeds many stray feral cats
Halloween items and children's costumes
toiletries for a woman who is getting a place to live on her own
towels and wash rags
new toys to be used for Christmas gifts(including black dolls

Jason's story

Jason was a 10 yr old non verbal autistic boy with other disabilities .When he was born his father was in the picture.When it became apparent of Jason's on going disabilities the father stopped being involved. Jason liked to run when he was outside in the fenced in back yard. His mother said ,he runs in circles the whole time he is outside. However if you go and grab his hand he stops running(but ...first you have to catch him).If he is sitting in a chair he continuously rocks back and forth. If he is standing in the house he twirls around for hours on end. It was difficult to get him to go to sleep. Or to stay still for any length of time. One day when Jason was outside in the yard running a parade went by .His mother noticed that Jason stopped running and watched the fire truck in the parade go down the street. Jason was smiling ear to ear when he watched the fire truck. This was the first time his mother ever noticed an emotion from him.The mom thought wow my son is interested in that fire truck. So she came up with an idea. She thought if she could get him a couple of toy fire trucks maybe he would be easier to handle . We were contacted by Jason's mother.So we put the word out we needed anything to do with fire trucks .As soon as our volunteer Debbie heard about Jason she went out and bought some fire trucks and even a fire truck sheet. Before you knew it we had a total of 6 fire trucks. Some even had the sirens and horns on them. And we had a whole bed set of pillow cases and sheets. Because Jason lived out of state we mailed the items and hoped we would hear something from the mother later.
Something amazing happened when the package arrived. Jason sat down on the floor and started to play with the fire trucks. His mother wrote he was more than happy to lay in the bed on his fire truck sheets with all the fire trucks around him in the bed. Jason was finally interested in something. Of course he pushed the siren and horn buttons a lot and would make a shrilling sound when he heard the noise. Jason even clapped which was a first for him. When Jason's mother told us how wonderful he was doing.I wrote to their local fire company about the little boy .We learned later Jason had been invited to the fire company to see the fire trucks up close and personal. Jason walked(not ran)around each truck petting and touching them. It was the calmest day Jason's mom had ever had she wrote since his birth .It is our hope that Jason will continue to flourish in learning with the help of the fire trucks. Who would of ever thought that one parade could of made such an impact on this little boys life.
And to be honest we still think of Jason everytime we hear the sirens or horn blast on the fire trucks in Whiting where we live.So if you think one donation or act of kindness cant make a difference think again.Here is living proof it can.
Holy Angels Children's Society/Reys of Hope Project

Monday, August 25, 2014

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Often we are asked HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR VOLUNTEERS?
So here is a run down on how we were fortunate enough to meet them.I placed a request on a paper asking for anyone to give some much needed baby items to us.The paper hung for awhile on the bulletin board at the grocery store in New Eygpt.Then one day someone called and told me they could get some baby items for us.Her name was Susan.When I met ...her I could tell right away she was eager to help and had a soft spot for children.She told me she also was a seamstress and loved to sew.And offered to make pjs or clothes for any of the children if needed.I remember leaving her thinking wow is she a nice woman.So friendly and caring.Susan continued helping and still does.
The silent volunteer is Susan's friend.She decided to come on board when she heard about the good we were trying to do with people who struggle day to day just trying to get the basics like clothes,toys and school supplies for their children.The silent volunteer not only goes out of her way to gather items we need but on occasion makes deliveries if they are in Atlantic county.And she always has a smile whenever we see her.She also is a caring and kind woman.
We met Dorothy because we heard of a woman who wanted lots of candy canes the more the better.She wanted to hand them out near Christmas for the children in a poor area near Camden.Fr John bought a lot of boxes of candy canes and we met Dorothy in Hammonton.We could tell from the beginning she was very passionate about children.We learned she had lost a little girl name Tiffany.And she gave things to those less fortunate in memorey of Tiffany.In fact she had a small site called TIFFANY PAYS IT FORWARD.And she had been giving things to those without for quite sometime. Dorothy said"it is what my daughter would want.My daughter was so wise beyond her years.She was my buddy"
We continued keeping in touch with Dorothy.Then oneday Dorothy said"I think I would like to be a volunteer for Reys Of Hope.And we were blessed with her.Dorothy is a thin woman and often doesn't feel well due to numerous health issues.But come Christmas no matter how she feels she drags her self out of bed to give toys to the children.Now that's what I call dedication.
John is our Christmas volunteer .He often delivers for us at Christmas . If he is unable to.He makes a financial donation for Christmas. Which helps towards gas expenses so we can deliver and buying items for the holiday.John also picked up a handicapped ramp and put it down for a person who was paralyzed. And as if that wasn't enough John spent a whole day packing and loading up items at our garage so items could be shipped to an Indian reservation. With the use of his bosses donated truck. John is alikible guy with a humor that only Fr John seems to understand.lol He has visited Fr John several times. Once even when he was in the hospital.
Lorrie & Tim volunteered one year to wrap Christmas presents for us. And continue helping through out the year. Be it gathering up children's clothes from neighbors or friends. Or telling people we need items for children . They have wrapped gifts for us for 3 yrs with never a complaint. Tim comes and picks the gifts up. And after they are all wrapped Tim brings them back. Tim unloads them and puts them in the garage always with a smile. These people are a loving couple and through all their hardships they still have a kind word to say . They try to find the good in everything no matter what comes their way. Like our other volunteers they love God and it shows when
you have a conversation with them. They also reach out to the neighborhood children and welcome them into their house with Bible study or games. To keep them off the street.
Debbie came to us one year with a car full of donations. From the moment we met her Fr John and I could tell she admired her husband and children. She spoke of them fondly. Debbie told us how her husband always was a good provider for her and the children. How they had triplet girls who were all going to college and a young boy who liked to surf.It just seemed natural talking with her. In fact she told us she would be donating more stuff when she had it.
Debbie one day after another donation said "if you ever need me to pick up items for you let me know,I will be more than happy to get them. Well we took her up on her offer and she has been picking up and delivering items for us going on 4 yrs.
THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT ONLY VOLUNTEERS THEY ARE OUR FRIENDS AND WITHOUT THEM WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO WHAT WE DO FOR OTHERS..

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Marcy's story

Marcy had a broken spirit  by the time we met her. She had been in and out of shelters and motels.Her daughter Donna always wanted a bike. But Marcy was so busy trying to make ends meet and constantly worrying if her abusive boyfriend would find her that she never focused on what Donna wished for .We heard about Marcy and her daughter from a woman in the motel where she was staying. We knew there would be a good chance of Marcy being moved again. So we put a request out for a bike for a 8yr old girl. Since it was close to Christmas we thought for sure someone would donate one. Well a woman name Laurie from Pt Pleasant not only donated a girls bike but numerous Christmas toys for us to give out. When we arrived at the hotel the woman who got in touch with us introduced us to Marcy.
Marcy was hesitant to talk to us.Once she heard Fr John was a Priest she broke down in tears and he took her aside to talk and pray with her. Meanwhile the little girl was estatic and tried out her new bike with a helmet included. We also gave them a very small Christmas tree with decorations,a doll and some make up and clothes for both. Fr John left her with some pamphlets about getting
through difficult times, about faith and also about self esteem.A year went bye before we received an email from the woman who originally told us about Marcy.Seems as if the woman and Marcy moved into an apartment together.The woman had a job now and said things could not be better.Finally Marcy was at peace after learning her xboyfriend was in prison for an unrelated incident.And he would not be getting out for along time.The little girl rides her bike daily and they both started church.Fr John smiled ear to ear when I had read him the email.He said 'never under estimate the power of faith and prayer:.Of course knowing someone cared enough to reach out to them I am sure helped.

Friday, August 22, 2014

DO YOU EVER SHOP FROM AMAZON?

AMAZON HAS A SITE CALLED AMAZON SMILE.THIS SITE WILL SEND A SMALL DONATION TO A  CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE FOR EACH PURCHASE YOU SPEND WHEN YOU BUY AN ITEM.IT IS OUR HOPE THAT IF YOU USE AMAZON YOU WILL TYPE IN THE WORDS AMAZON SMILE AND ORDER WITH OUR CHARITY INMIND.HOLY ANGELS CHILDRENS SOCIETY IS OUR OFFICIAL NAME.THANK YOU !

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Maria;s story

Maria had 2 children.She spoke very little English. She came her e with her husband. He spoke a lot of English .She was totally dependant on him for everything. When he died she  moved in with a friend who also had 2 children. We learned about these struggling moms by a restaurant owner. He mentioned his wife had become friends with them .And all though they directed them and helped them to apply for food stamps and food pantrys they really did not know where to go for clothes for the new school year. Fr John as usual was more than eager to help. And we went through our garage to see if we had clothes and some school supplies for the 4 children.2 were starting kindergarten and spoke very little English. Lucky for us someone had donated some books with Dora speaking English and Spanish. We added them to the items. We had everything for 3 of the children but still needed size 6 clothes for the one little girl .So Fr John went to the store and bought some clothes .He also bought new socks for all the children. When we went to the restaurant with items in tow the owner was surprised. He told us he never knew if he would of seen us again. Thats right we were customers at the restaurant when Fr John got into a conversation with him about Reys Of Hope and how wonderful people have been to donate stuff.(Right there was the invitation and the owner wasted no time in telling us about those in need,lol)The restaurant owner called his wife on the phone and told her to bring Maria so we could meet her. Since we had to wait we ordered something to eat.When his wife arrived with 4 children and Maria there was much excitement. The children were hugging
Fr  John and speaking in Spanish(the restaurant owner said the children thought he was Santa Claus-no doubt because of his beard).And as for Maria she kissed our hands and kept repeating the words THANK YOU<THANK YOU.When they left the restaurant owner said our meal was free. Talk about being grateful. Many times we don't hear a thank you for months regardless of who we help. But some how all those THANK YOU"S from  Maria made up for it.There is nothing in this world that can make one feel better than seeing a child:s smiling face,except maybe 4 childrens; smiling faces.

Monday, August 18, 2014

ITEMS NEEDED

LOOKING FOR HALLOWEEN ITEMS,DECORATIONS AND COSTUMES.
BABY ITEMS
NEW TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS
BLACK DOLLS
GLOVES AND SOCKS FOR WINTER   

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

DROP OFF FOR VOLUNTEER DOROTHY

TRUCKLOAD OF ITEMS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR DOROTHY

DOROTHY HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SEVERE HEADACHES SO FR JOHN BLESSED HER

Monday, August 11, 2014

NEEDED ITEMS

DESITIN,BABY ITEMS AND BABY CLOTHES
NEW TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS
SOCKS AND GLOVES FOR WINTER TO GIVE TO HOMELESS AND THOSE WITHOUT IN LOCAL AREAS(BURLINGTON,CAMDEN AND OCEAN COUNTY

Thank you's

THANK YOU TO JERRYS AUTO BODY SHOP FOR MORE SCHOOL SUPPLIES.WE NOW HAVE ENOUGH FOR THOSE WHO ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE IN BURLINGTON COUNTY.WE HAD THE EXTRA BACK PACKS BUT RAN  OUT OF ITEMS TO PUT IN THEM.
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEER DEBBIE WHO WAS KIND ENOUGH TO PICK THEM UP FOR US
THANK YOU FROM PEACHESS FOR THE TRUCK LOAD OF CLOTHES,TOYS AND HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES
THANK YOU TO OUR NEIGHBOR IN WHITING WHO DONATED A BLANKET AND SOME DISHES
THANK YOU KRISTEN FROM COOKSTOWN WHO DONATED CHILDRENS CLOTHES

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO US

Hey i just wanted to say thank you for the random good will fan deli...very you guys did today for a mom and baby in tomsriver ... its a special thing to see someone in need and actually be able to find someone to help them. thank you for helping people :) thats really cool

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Part of an email we recieved

Fr John & volunteers,Thank you for the socks.They are very much appreciated. Beverly
Beverly is a woman who lives in Long Branch NJ and collects new socks to give out to the many homeless people in her community.We mailed a box of women and mens socks to her on July 9/14

Monday, August 4, 2014

RECENT DONATIONS

Backpacks for Peachess to give out



school supplies for Peachess to give out

items for Dorothy to give to a new mom