A Thank You for US!!!!

Here's an email request I received today-we are so glad we were able to help you Bernadette.

Dear Susan, Can you please post on Father John's website my gratitude for all their help.

I would like to Thank Reys of Hope Project for all your help and support in my family's time of need.

Thank You, Bernadette Cardell

Things WE Need For Our Operation

In order to serve our families and individuals, we ALSO need some assistance. While our overhead is minimal, it's still there and the costs are borne by us. If you can help in any way, either financially or by providing product, please contact us.

For one, we need tires for our little truck - the truck has no traction on wet roads, so we just drive slow in bad weather and pray, as Fr. John says. If you or someone you know works at a tire center or Sears Automotive or Pep Boys, and can arrange for a donation from them or for a steeply discounted price on light truck tires - please contact us.

We are also looking for a larger storage/workspace, preferably one with heat and lights - a bathroom would be considered a luxury. Currently, we store stuff in my garage, Fr. John's house, Pat's house, Peaches' house PLUS a storage unit that is cold and has no lights. So we must move the goods from place to place to sort and prepare it for distribution. This is inefficient for those we serve but it's the best we've got. We also do not have a large budget for paying for this space. If you know of anyone with space to let (for cheap) or who could donate some space - please let us know.

We are also in need of cash donations and in this economy it is not something we like to ask for - but we need it to supplement what we pay for out of pocket. Our truck insurance is $500 a year. Gas is $50-75/week - we do lots of pickups and dropoffs. We need to purchase moving boxes for packing up the dropoffs. We need/use totes to store goods, we purchase basic business supplies and more. And then there are the desperately needed items we may not have when someone needs it - like a car seat or baby formula, or diapers, or food - if we had a small cash reserve we could purchase those items and be able to respond more quickly. We would be grateful for ANY donation you can make, please help us to keep fighting the good fight by sending a small donation to Holy Angels, annotate it with Reys of Hope and mail to our P. O. Box 2142, Southampton, NJ 08088. Thank you.

Thank You Siemens Company!!!

We want to thank the Siemens Company of Trenton, NJ for their generous donation to one of our families. Here is a picture of the beautiful Christmas tree they received. Siemens also presented a holiday check to the family who was overwhelmed by their generosity.

The Siemens Company has locations in 190 countries and is seriously committed to being a steward to the community and a good corporate citizen. This quote is from their website "We take our responsibilities toward society seriously, engaging in extensive international education, community aid, and arts and culture programs through the recently founded Siemens Foundation." A first rate company.

Again, thank you - you provided the mainstay of a wonderful Christmas for a deserving family.

What One Woman's Effort Can Do or..Pat's Been a Busy Girl

I am amazed at how many people Pat was able to help - one person can make a HUGE difference. Way to go Patricia!!! We are so proud of you!
From August until November 23rd Pat single handedly engineered the collection and distribution of the following items to those requesting her help.

All in Burlington County
2 Boxes of clothes in size 3x and 3t clothes to a woman and her little girl. Clothes were donated by a woman on Burlington chats who had lost 160 pounds with help of surgery. She was also given toys for the little girl.

Woman with 2 boys: gave her 20 pairs of socks for the boy and 5 complete outfits including under clothes for each child.

Single father of 6 working 60 hours a week...3 boys 3 girls ages 6,8,10,12,14 and 16 . Each boy received 4 complete outfits and a pair of Pajama's and a coat. Older girl received make up and pocker book. All girls received a weeks worth of clothes. They were also given toys including board games and puzzles for the older children.

Single mom with 8 year old son who had nothing to wear to school. Gave her 2 full bags of clothes for son which included jeans,sweats,shirts,socks and underwear.

Church which gives out clothes weekly to anyone that shows up including the homeless received 3 large bags.

New to America family received sofa and table with chairs. Also toys for the children.

Lady opening a daycare for income who was short on items to beome state approved. Gave her 1 of each of the following crib,changing table, dresser, car seat under 20 pounds, potty chair and high chair . Also gave her 2 walkers, 2 push toys, 2 baby swings along with bottles and blankets. A donor from Bayville supplied most of the items.

Lady in need of coupons ~ Mailed 62 coupons and a special day pass to bjs wholesale store. Recieved a thank you note for items sent.

Man with daughter received one rabbit cage for daughters new dwarf bunny.

Woman in need of clothes for 3 year old boy given 6 complete outfits.

Single mom with 2 daughters age 5 and 7 given a weeks worth of clothes for each along with dolls to play with.

Young single mother with no family involved in her life beyond her 9 mos old daughter ~ had limited baby items given a walker, bouncy chair , more then a weeks worth of outfits including baby bibs. She was also given several boxes of baby cereal and 4 cans of formula along with some baby toys.

New grandmom given pink stroller and matching car seat,bibs,wash rags for infant,toys,socks,blankets and 9 outfits and a box of diapers.

Lady in need of a crib for a baby boy received one along with bumper pads and crib bedset.

Cashier in store due any day visibily upset about not having stuff for her baby. Mentioned her and her mom are struggling to make ends meet. Boyfriend disappeared when found out baby was a girl. Five days later gave her baby car seat and swing along with clothing.

Woman wanted religious statues: gave her one of Saint Frances and one of the Virgin Mary along with a Rosary.

Child that was sleeping on floor was given a bed

Lady given 2 dressers for her and her 11 year old daughter after someone took her money and never gave them the furniture promised.

Single mom in need of stroller: gave her one

Woman going thru a hard time: gave her a weeks worth of clothes for toddler son

Single mom with young son: gave her 2 bags of boys size 8-10 clothes

Struggling couple given large bag of boys clothes sizes 8,12 + 14 and a painting kit for their daughter who already had clothes.

Recently moved to NJ couple given clothes and school supplies for their 6 children

Young couple with small son given clothes, inside and outside toys, high chair and potty chair

Given to mom with premature baby and allot of medical bills~ Large bag of baby items including clothes, bottles and blankets.

Young single mom given size 18-24months clothing for young daughter

Family in need due to dads disability given food and clothes for family

Couple with young son given clothes for son and curtains to cover windows

Pregnant girl given bag of nuetral baby clothes. She did NOT know sex of baby

More on What We Collect/Need

Someone recently asked Peaches what we collect besides baby stuff. Here's her answer:
We collect just about anything that is usable. If you would use it chances are if its in good shape and is no longer needed, someone else could use it also. We are always in search of donations of:

1) Clothing for all ages (Men, Woman, Children and Babies) in every size and season that exists.

2) Household items for those that have little or none and would never be able to buy them on their own.

3) Money to continue to be able to help others, including buying gas so we can deliver these donated items.

4) Blankets to keep those with little heat, money or even no home, warm.

5) New and Used Toys to brighten the face of a child that often has little to smile about.

6) Personal hygiene items for those that can not afford to go buy their own.

7) Shoes that are in GOOD shape for those that need new ones.

8) Suitcases with wheels for those that live in in temporary homes so we can help them fill them before they move to the next place~~Also for people with no place to live so they are able to transport the few items they do manage to get.

9) All baby items so that babies that would have nothing without help can have what they need. All furniture type baby items are checked for recalls prior to being distributed. If an item as been recalled it is discarded.

10) Furniture in good shape for people that have little or sometimes none at all.

11) Food so the hungry are fed.

12) Coats, Gloves, Hats and Scarfs to help keep those that go out in, and also those that live outside in the cold, warm.

13) Movies, Games and Puzzles with all of the pieces for safe houses and temporary houses, along with those we are lucky enough to be able to supply with a way to view them.

14) Pet food so that the people that can not afford to feed the pets they love do not have to even think about surrendering them to a shelter knowing the likely outcome.

Truth is, we collect everything one could need or would like to have ranging from clocks to socks and organize it all into "who needs what" boxes. We then deliver it to those in need for free. Of course we only succeed with the help of others so please help us make the world a little brighter for others. If you can help, we are happy to arrange a pickup. Thank you for your generosity.

More Thank You's...from us and to us..

More of why we do what we do -

First and Foremost, we need to thank the muscle behind the movement ...the men that are often called on to move an unexpected heavy item; to make room in their homes or their work place for just one more thing. The same individuals that can no longer walk in the dark in their home without fear of falling over that one box that needs to be delivered or the bag that just got dropped off. The men that find themselves not really sure how they got involved in this whirlwind of pick ups and drop offs but do it just the same and usually manage to muster up something other than a frown while they help out. Thank you Jack, Vince, Thomas and Tim for all of the effort and help.

Our heartfelt thanks to: We need to thank Carol from Franklinville for numerous donations of both new and practically new items that have helped many families; the Wade family for sharing Christmas with many that would never have had a single gift without their act of kindness. The Wade's and Kelly Miller understand the true meaning of Christmas lives in the spirit of giving Christmas to another who would not have had a reason to celebrate without their assistance . For this we thank them all. We also need to thank everyone that has donated to us , spread our word and worked to make not just Christmas but EVERYDAY a little easier for another.

Thanks to us : Thank you to Father John Bellezza , Pat Rodriguez , Susan , REYS OF HOPE
Thank you to Father John Bellezza , Pat Rodriguez , Susan , Ruth and Peaches from REYS OF HOPE. Thank you for all the clothes and other things and everything they help with. James

Thank you soo much...
Thank you to Father John Bellezza , Pat Rodriguez , Susan , Ruth and Peaches from REYS OF HOPE. For all your help in giving my children a hope for a Christmas this year. Jen

Thanks Pat Rodriguez
Thank you so much for all the clothes, you really helped my friend in need. She was so happy she didn't have to worry about winter coming around the corner. Thank you so very much! God bless! Laura

Thanks to you and the Reys of Hope, my children and I had a wonderful Christmas; not only did we have presents to open, a beautifully decorated tree, but we got to finish the day with a hearty meal and we only have all of you to thank. I explained to the kids that there wouldn't be that many presents to open this year but if you could only have seen their faces in the morning when they saw all the presents under the tree. Your organization really fulfilled my dream this year when I am truly going through allot of financial difficulties and a hard separation. I just have been put on disability due to mental stress and I have to spend all my time and effort trying to save my house and focusing on me and my children's mental states through counseling services and prayer. So thanks so much for all you have done for us and thanks for keeping our faith and letting us know that there are still people out there that truly care. I hope you had a wonderful holiday! Lots of love and thanks so much to you.

Peaches,
Thanks so much for your help through the Holiday. My kids loved the toys. The clothing was very nice and warm for the children. My family was really thankful for everything. Thanks for taking the time and effort to make our Christmas come true. Times are really tough right now and the food alone cost so much that there would be very little under the tree but with your help we did it. The car seat was awesome. Thanks for dropping that off for me so quickly. And my baby boy loves the exer-saucer. He plays in there forever I have to take him out to roll around on the floor.

You are a great person and God will bless you for your thoughtfulness and giving. I hope your Christmas was great! I hope we can still keep in touch. I enjoyed talking to you. Have a safe New Year! Thanks again, The Nelson Family

My children had a Wonderful Christmas this year and it was all because of Reys of Hope. They would have had nothing from Santa this year. I do not know how to thank you. But I hope that you will except mine and my husband’s many thanks for helping us. We appreciate everything that has been done for us. Thank You and God Bless All. Dana and family

Some Pictures of Us at Work

These pictures were taken just before Pat and Fr. John arrived to pick up some of the Christmas gear we were putting together.

That's our mascot and quality control officer, Shelby. She's mostly around for the treats.

The next two pictures are me and Ruth showing off our handiwork for the kids.

As soon as I get the digital picture of Fr. John and Pat at Siemens Co. it will be posted here. They made a wonderful Christmas for one of our families and we can't thank them enough for their generosity.