This is What Makes This ALL Worthwhile

Some thank you's from several of our families -

"This year my family and I would not have seen any thing underneath the Christmas tree if it weren't for the Reys of Hope. They gave me clothes for my children, food for Christmas dinner, and toys for my children to open Christmas morning as well as loads of Christmas decorations and curtains and sheets which i really needed by the way and I would like to say thank you to all those who have helped as I said before there would have been no Christmas if it weren't for you. God bless all of you and I hope you all have a blessed New Year."

"Thank you soo much for all the great things you gave me for the children for Christmas. My son as well as Nicky and Cameron really enjoyed opening everything. "

"Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for all that Reys of Hope has done for my friend Jen. With out their help her four children wouldn't have had much of a Christmas. They gave everything from toys to clothes that were much need. Jen's 6 year old son said " This is the best day of my life". I have spread the news on how much Reys of Hope has helped and encourage anyone who is getting rid of toys or clothes to donate to them. Thank you all again, you have made a single mom and her children very happy. God Bless.

Joni"

NOTICE -

We strive to provide "gently used" and new items when we can. We thoroughly wash, inspect and sort our donated items to make sure they're not some old rags someone couldn't toss in the trash. We do this to be able to keep the circle of giving moving by "paying it forward" which means if it does not suit you or is no longer of use to you that you contact us and we will pick it up for someone else that may be able to use it.

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU DON'T WANT WHAT WE HAVE GIVEN YOU OR IF IT DOESN'T SUIT YOU, WE HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IT BEING RETURNED TO US AND WILL GLADLY PICK IT UP. That way we can continue the circle of giving.

Thank you for understanding. We are a small, small organization and most of our expenses, including the cost of our gas and truck are borne by us. Many of the new items we provide are purchased by our volunteers and family and friends who want to be a part of this process.

Enough of this. The next post will include the "thank yous" from those families whom we were able to truly help. That's what makes this all worthwhile!

Countdown to Christmas

Another success for us!! On Friday, Fr. John and Pat accompanied an "in need family" to the Siemens company in Trenton where a tree was donated to the family. In addition, the company gifted the family of seven with a Christmas check. This gracious gift was arranged by Reys of Hope who also delivered clothes and gifts to accompany the tree. We are small but mighty!!

Yesterday Ruth and I went to Fr. John's to drop off more donations. Pat and Fr.'s daughter were busy wrapping a multitude of gifts for the families we help. In addition to toys and clothes, each child will receive 7 books - one for each day of the week (that Peaches thinks of everything!). Ruth and I left to deliver a turkey Pat continued to wrap, Fr. John and his daughter went out to buy some additional items for the kids.

We also had another bittersweet triumph yesterday. We were able to purchase an absolutely, touchingly, beautiful grave marker for a baby girl whose family had been unable to afford one. They picked it up yesterday after we left - Pat said it was a very emotional moment.

Today the dropoffs begin. The weather hasn't been in our favor , just this morning when my husband and I took the mascot out - our driveway was like a skating rink - covered with black ice. Our vehicles are encrusted - very sparkly and icy and oh, so slippery. We'd be better off with a sleigh!

More Christmas Preparations

Yesterday, Fr. John, Pat, Ruth and myself met to load up more gear for our families - Ruth brought mittens, gloves, socks, coloring books, crayons and notepads which she purchased to be included with the other gifts for the kids. Ruth and I worked on the flannel pants and this week we handed over 11 pair, plus I made some Christmas outfits for little girls - so some will have a new outfit to wear for the holiday. I spent hours in my sewing room - I wish I had a few experienced sewing ladies to help - we could really turn out some stuff. Fr. John and I purchased the flannel and the little outfits came from my never ending stash of fabric. Fr. John and Pat left my house with a full truck of toys, baby clothes, stuffed animals, blankets, afghans and more, donated by very generous folks. They also brought us a thank you letter from a young mother we recently helped. Peaches has been working around the clock to sort, box, wrap and prepare the deliveries for the families we are helping. Pat and John have been driving all over the county picking up goods and dropping off. It is a never ending and rewarding experience. If you wish to help, please email us at holyangels@live.com. Look for some pictures of me and Ruth showing off the goods. We'll also have a surprise picture of our mascot.

Our Christmas Preparations

We're currently working on gathering items for our families in need and trying to make their Christmas a little bit brighter. We've collected toys and warm clothes for infants and children up to size 7 - we still need much more - we just picked up a family with 5 children - several of whom are older kids - so the hunt continues. We had some turkeys donated by the Methodist Church in New Egypt. We found homes for them and Peaches will take the last one to cook for the homeless after Christmas when they've been all but forgotten. She'll prepare sandwiches and make goody bags with crackers and juice etc - to be handed out. I made lots of little flannel play pants to help keep kids warm - many times children in safe houses and shelters come in with only the clothes on their backs. So we find ways to help make them comfortable. If you can donate please contact us at holyangels@live.com - if you have the luxury of a few bucks to spare please mail to us at the address on the blog page lower left.

Important Links

This link will take you to the State of NJ Website and provide the County Name, Address and phone/fax numbers of the Social Service Agencies in each county in New Jersey.

State of New Jersey Department of Human Services

These links will take you directly to the organizations listed below.

Social Security

Burlington County Dept. of Military and Veterans Services

Department of Veteran Affairs

State of New Jersey

Contact Crisis hot-line

Burlington County Community Action Program

Donations Needed - Please Help if You Can

During these hard economic times it isn't easy to ask for donations of money. But this is also the season of giving and there are those who truly need a helping hand. We recently received a request to help 2 single moms who were burned out of their home and lost EVERYTHING. These women are the mothers of an infant and two very young children. It's at times like this when it would be extremely helpful to have some money to purchase some of the basics for them - things they need immediately and we don't have in our inventory of donated items. Monetary donations are also needed for our shelter children so they too can be warm and fed this holiday season.

We are a Federal and State recognized NON-PROFIT CHARITY. If you are able to make a donation, please make your check payable to Holy Angels Children's Society and reference Reys of Hope on it so we can account for it properly. Please mail your check to HOLY ANGELS CHILDRENS SOCIETY, P.O. Box 2142, Southampton, NJ 08088. We will promptly send you a tax deductible receipt.

Of course, any donations of household items, baby items, gently used clothing, coats, blankets, etc. are greatly appreciated and put to immediate use. Please email holyangels@live.com to schedule a pick up. Thank you for your continued support and consideration.