Thank You from An Angel's Touch - 2007

by Jude Coyle

Before I get on with my usual thank you, I want to talk about another matter. Every organization, including ours, have come across those who would take advantage of others’ generosity. Addicts will do anything to keep their habits alive, and there are those who take advantage of services for the needy even if they aren’t. It’s disappointing and even disheartening. It makes workers like myself angry. Even so, we have to tell ourselves that if one person out of ten is a cheat, there are 9 others who really need help.

With that in mind, An Angel’s Touch will reach out to other organizations with the intent of developing some sort of filter. We want to make sure that those who need help get it, and that what help we have to offer is not diluted because of cheats.

We began our Christmas season in September with a can shake. Donors were very generous. That was good because it made up for what we didn’t receive during our annual canned food drive. We attended to approximately 50 families as well as CEDA, the Salvation Army and St. Benedict’s Food Pantry.

Our schools were there as always, conducting food drives for us. The students at Veteran’s Memorial kicked it off early. This year gym teacher Raean Zylman asked her students to give up their Halloween candy for the sake of their health. She collected what she could and turned it all over to us. We divided it between 240 students at CEDA, and passed it along with hats, scarves, mittens, gloves and stocking stuffers. Again, Veteran Memorial Student Council, under the direction of Ms. Zylman, collected preschool toys for CEDA students.

The very first family we helped this year lost their home when the City condemned the apartment building they lived in. It was moldy and Grandma was hospitalized with breathing difficulties. We helped her outfit a new apartment for her and her grandchildren. A very big hand came from Alderman Marcia Stone.

Early in the Christmas season a lady by the name of Shelby Germany called me. She collected dolls, and she wanted to share them with deserving little girls. Would we beinterested? YES! As I explained, by the end of the season we are usually scrounging around for toys. This would help. She dropped off four dolls at City Hall. The ladies there fell in love with them. They took the dolls from their box and set them about a small decorated tree. I fell in love as well. Seated about the tree made them look like they belonged in Santa’s workshop. I chose to leave them there for a while so that others could enjoy them. I was told later that some of the visitors wanted to bid on them. When Ms. Germany dropped by with two more dolls, the clerks asked her if it would be all right to sell them and then donate the proceeds back to us. ‘No,’ she said, she wanted little girls to find joy in them. We kept to Ms. Germany’s wishes, and gave them to six little girls. I was told later of one little girl who refused to set hers aside in order to open other presents.

This year we welcomed another new face who helped us end that end of the season drought. Chiropractor Dr. Santileva, located in Masonic Temple, advertised that with the donation of a new toy, she would provide the donor a free adjustment.

One last story. Rose Rita called our boss, Georgene Mitchell, on Christmas Eve. The Friday before Rose had received a letter in the mail addressed to Santa at the North Pole. Mom was ill and Robert asked Santa to make her better. Rose wasn’t sure what to do with the letter at first. Georgene was very happy to tell Rose that Robert and Mom had already received a delivery from An Angel’s Touch.

You can keep up with our activities through our blog at http://journals.aol.com/blueislandangels/An-Angel’s-Touch .

A very big thank you to all who helped to make this year happen. Particularly Blue Island Police and Fire Departments; City Clerk Pam Frasor and the Clerk’s Office; Mayor Peloquin and City Council; Alderman Rose Rita, John Rita, and family; Aldermen Linda Dertz and Marcia Stone: the Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Miller, who helped me carry out the food drive collected by the Chamber during the last two years; Veteran’s Memorial and teacher Raean Zylman, Kerr and Hale Middle schools, Paul Revere Intermediate School, Paul Revere Primary, DDE African American Cultural Awareness Club, Leo Club, Key Club and Gunnery Sergeant Larry Resendez and DDE ROTC, Cadets Tony Hernandez, Alex Pasierb, Charles Gallagher; St. Rita High School, First Lutheran Church, St. Philip Lutheran Church, Grace Methodist, Accurate Perforating, Evergreen Oak Electric, Gerry Goodwrench Foundation; St. Francis Hospital, La Ranchita Food Store, the Simborg Family, The Blue Island Forum, Jem Reality, L.L.C., Jim & Carol Reihel; Dr. Santileva; Debby Coyle and the bus drivers of the Arbor Park School District, Charlene Finn, Ed, Jon and Becky Coyle, Gloria Zaper, Luis Estrada, Jenica and Matt Schultz Taylor, Melanie Rickerson, Shelby Rush, ; Shelby Germany, Helen Thompkins, Mary Riech, Bob Hennesy, Pat Disabato, Erin Libby, Nancy Sevino and Headlines patrons; Calvin Guthrie; The Corner Store, Blue Island Video, Korbakes, Flowers by Bartles, T&G’s, Guiseppe’s Pizza, Miska’s Liquors, Walgreens, Jewel Foods, Pappas Restaurant, Mr. Chop Suey, American Legion Post # 50. Thank you from Becky and I to Allan Stevo for the much needed ice tea on the second day of the can shake. As always, if I’ve forgotten someone, I apologize for the oversight. I thank each and every donor

** as published in the 2/06/08 issue of the
Blue Island Forum

2007 in Photos (B)

These photos were taken by and provided for our use by Peg Flood. They provide a good insight in what it is we do.

Our Christmas begins with a call for help. A family will find itself near financial ruin. Someone has fallen ill or has had an accident, and every asset a family has at hand is put into making that person better. It is debilitating when a child is ill, but devastating when it is a parent or the bread winner is taken ill. Fires happen, as does floods, job loss and other catastrophes. We can't pay a person's rent or mortgage, but we can free up a family's resources by providing help with food, clothing, or other needs. We draw on resources donated by others, break them down by need and place them where they are needed most. We do most of this work at Christmas time.

First we pick out our facilities, which are donated, and clean them up. This year we had two small rooms. In one we sorted clothing and other Christmas gifts. In the second we sorted food from all of our canned food drives. We also stored a number of toys there as well.

Asked what we will take in donations, I explain that if a normal family uses something in a given week, we can use it as well. This means food, clothing, laundry detergent, toilet paper, shampoo, tooth paste, paper towels, dish soap, cleaning supplies. You name it, we can probably use it. Many of the photos are of people working, sorting and packing, clothing, food and gifts, as well as all the other items listed above.

Once resources are assigned to a family and packed, we move out. Our first delivery takes place on the second or third Saturday each December. This year delivery began on December 15th. Above are photos of volunteers as they form a chain of cars, and travel from one home to another, delivering Christmas cheer.

A very big thank you to Peg for use of the photos.

2007 in Photos (A)

All I wanted for Christmas was a brand spanking new camera. Last year I took so many photos of the process behind our work, and I posted it all right here. This past year, my old camera bit the dust. I dropped it just one too many times. Thankfully, Santa and my family helped me out here.

After Christmas I made a point to visit places that had helped us. We had left penny jars at Mr. Chop Suey, Pappas Restaurant in Alsip, Korbakes Liquors, El Ranchito, T&G, Guisseppes, City Hall, Flowers by Bartles and Blue Island Video. And we picked up canned food drives from several schools, including Kerr Middle, Veteran Memorial Middle, Eisenhower High School and Paul Revere Intermediate School. We also collected food from Paul Revere Primary, Hale Middle and St. Rita High School.

There is a photo taken of the Veteran's Memorial Middle School Student Council. First the students collected their Halloween candy as part of a wellness program initiated by the school. The candy was donated to An Angel's Touch. The school won a bronze award for their efforts. The Student Council also initiated a preschool toy drive. Again they donated the proceeds to us. The candy and the toys were taken to the CEDA School located in the old First Lutheran School Building. We also brought them hats, scarves and mittens.

Also pictured is the Salvation Army. Besides the families we help each year, we also help several organizations stock their pantries. One is the Salvation Army. Another is St. Benedict's.

Also pictured above are collectable dolls donated by Shelby Germany. Ms. Germany dropped them off at City Hall. Once the clerks saw them, they posed them about a small Christmas tree and Santa figure. Ms. Germany asked that we please pass them on to little girls who would cherish them as much as she did. We did.

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Poetry by Allison Chambers Coxsey

Printed with permission by Ms. Coxsey. Visit her web page at Allison's Heart.

AN ANGEL'S TOUCH

The tender touch of angel wings,
Brush softly past your face;
Summoned by soft spoken prayers,
To stand here in this place.

Called to keep and guard you,
To touch your heart with love;
Sent as special messengers,
From a holy place above.

Sent to whisper words of peace,
To calm a restless soul;
Sent to watch you as you sleep,
Their angel wings unfold.

They cover you with tenderness,
They watch your slumbering face;
They call you into peaceful rest,
As they stand here in this place.

They walk beside you every step,
As you go about your day;
Their mission is to guard you,
As you travel on your way.

So if you feel a tender touch,
A breeze upon your face;
Just know I prayed for angels,
To keep you in this place.

Allison Chambers Coxsey
©1994

A Christmas Story

Wednesday, December 5, 2007
7:27:00 PM EST

by Carol R.

This is a story for anyone who has helped An Angel's Touch with a donation of gifts, food or money this Christmas. Although they have helped many people in small and large ways, I have heard this story from its sad beginning to its hopeful end.

There is a man, a single parent. He has a son, who is retarded/developmentally disabled. Years ago, he fought a bitter custody battle to win the right to raise his son, despite knowing of his disabilities. He loved his son. For a variety of reasons that aren't important here, he chose to make his living by selling collectibles and general stuff at flea markets and to dealers. As you can imagine, he survives on a minimum income, but has cared for his son well and seen to his further education in special high school classes. When he graduates, he will go on to school at Moraine Valley, a special program which will train him in custodial work, allowing him to making a living in years to come.

One Sunday morning, the man went out to start his van, which was loaded with his 'inventory'. The fuel pump exploded and the van plus his inventory were destroyed. At his wits end, with no money, no transportation and no hope, he went to his landlord and explained he would have to move and put his son in a group home, where the man knew he would languish without any further education. This, however, would allow this man to go back to the work he did as a young man, working on barges and ships with endless travel destinations in order to earn the money he so desperately needed. The man moved ahead with his plan, made the arrangements.... and could not go through with placing his son. He again talked with his landlord and said, "I don't know how, but I have to make it."

Enter An Angel's Touch.... The man has been supplied with basic food and necessities. They have also found a private owner to donate a used van to him. Another group of people have donated the cost of license plates, stickers and a tune-up for the vehicle. He is also being provided with a small amount of money to help purchase more stock. Others are searching their basements and attics to give him a little bit of inventory to begin again.

The man and his son, because of the goodness of people and a volunteer organization called An Angel's Touch, have been given the greatest gift of all this Christmas.... HOPE for the future.

Thank you to everyone who cared enough to share a small amount of what they had with Angel's Touch. This is only one story.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

September 2007 - Can Shake

We kicked Christmas, 2007 off with a good old fashioned can shake. It took place on the last weekend in September and it was beautiful outside.

Can shakes, like other activities, have their own set of difficulties. The idea that volunteers will stand out in the middle of the street for two hours, shaking a can, and begging for money that will go to someone other than themselves, is a hard sell. It gets hot and volunteers get thirsty. Still, good hearted people, many who have been helped by An Angel's Touch, and others yet who care about how we do, joined us. We even saw a couple of Blue Island Aldermen with cans in their hands. We walked away tired, a little sore, but feeling good none-the-less.

We made enough to purchase meat for our client families to go with the canned goods we will provide. We can also buy gas now for the vehicles we will use to deliver our Christmas cheer.

A big thank you to Jewel, Walgreens, Miska Liquors, Korbakes Liquors, El Ranchero, D.D.E. Jr.M.C.R.O.T.C. and Jem Realty for their help.

An Angel's Touch, Touched by Your Generosity

Wednesday, April 25, 2007
11:11:00 PM EDT

As published in the Blue Island Forum, issue date 2/21/07

By Jude Coyle

After we at An Angel’s Touch called an end to our Christmas activities, we met for an evening of story telling, of tears and of congratulations. One more time, I was reminded just how many people work hard to make this happen, and how hard the boss, Georgene Mitchell, works at bringing it all together. We have people who collect gently used clothing, household goods, new and used toys, coats, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves, and those who decorate stockings and collect stocking stuffers. When I write my thank you each year to the residents of Blue Island for all the help we received, I talk about my family’s experiences. I wish I could speak to the contributions others make. Simply, I don‘t know everyone, and each year more people join us.

This year my family concentrated on food collection, penny jars, with recruiting students from DDE, and collecting hats, and mittens for CEDA. One goal started out poorly, where the other goals brought pleasant surprises.

Our very first food drive didn’t materialize. Stagg High School usually shares food with us and another agency. They worked with the other agency long before they heard of us. So when they received less than previous years, they directed their donations to their first concern. They later sent us a cash donation, which was greatly appreciated. Other early food drives were incredibly small this year, and one of our District 130 schools was not able to conduct a drive at all. I panicked. I contacted the other schools and explained the situation, and I explained it to City Council and to friends. Charlene Finn collected contributions from parishioners at St. Philips Lutheran. Kerr Middle, Paul Revere Intermediate and Hale Middle extended their regular drives. First Lutheran donated gift certificates from Jewel, and Veteran’s Memorial extended their food drive, and held a toy drive as well. The Eisenhower Key and Leo Clubs held a household items drive. The Chamber of Commerce held a food drive at their annual Christmas dinner. St. Walter’s school held a sock drive. To my overwhelming surprise, we finished well. People I never met donated food and cash. I should point out that without my son, Jon, and his van, we would have never had the means to pick up any ofthe donations.

I contacted Sergeant Resendez and Master Sergeant Kirkland of DDE’s ROTC program. Although committed elsewhere on those weekends, they read my plea for help in their classes. My daughter, Becky, organized cadets, invited friends, and kept track of service hours.

Our penny jars were not as productive as last year’s were, but effective none-the-less. One day Dee at T&G’s stopped me before I could order lunch. “Take the jar,” she whispered. “Bring me a new one later.” A Blue Island Cop wanted to be sure that the money went to us before he dropped a in $10 bill. Dee wanted to be sure that no one stole the jar. Yes, Sir, we got it. Thank you, both, very much.

We promised last year to work with CEDA because the children who attend their preschool are the poorest of the poor. Many times even 99 cent gloves or hats are an expense that can’t be squeezed into the budget. I told Rose Rita about our plans, and Rose spread the word. I also mentioned it to my sister-in-law, Debby. Although short of our goal, their efforts helped tremendously.

One of the many requests we received this year came in letter form addressed to Georgene. Allen wanted a baseball and mitt, Alex wanted a basketball for Christmas, and Mom was ill and lost her job. Please, could we help? Georgene said that she was positive that she wouldn’t be able to find baseball equipment at this time of the year, and she had given away at least 3 basketballs. She doubted she’d find another. She set the letter aside long enough to sort through new donations. The first thing she came across was a brand new mitt, tags and all, with a pristine white hardball nestled in the palm. The very next box she opened had a basketball in it. “I think God meant us to help this family,” Georgene said.

Another family had lost Mom last year. This year Dad was diagnosed with cancer and wasn’t expected to make it to Christmas. He wanted to enjoy one last holiday with his son. We were able to help provide an early Christmas. I’m not sure about the family, but those who participated from AAT, felt like God had granted them a huge gift.

We helped 50 families this year, the St. Vincent de Paul pantry at St. Benedict’s, Guild Haus, CEDA and the Salvation Army. From what I understand, these organizations can use more help.

We set up a blog. The address is http://journals.aol.com/BlueIslandAngels/An-Angels-Touch. Please feel free to visit anytime and leave comments.

A very big thank you to all who helped to make this year happen. Particularly Blue Island Police and Fire Departments, the City’s Clerk’s Office; Mayor Peloquin and City Council; Alderman Rose Rita, John Rita, and family; Aldermen Leticia Vieyra, and Linda Dertz: City Attorney Cary Horvath; the Chamber of Commerce; the Blue Island Park District; Veteran’s Memorial, Kerr and Hale Middle schools, Paul Revere Intermediate School, DDE Leo Club, Key Club and ROTC; St. Rita High School; Stagg High School; Teacher Lori Campione and St. Walter’s School, St. Benedicts Junior Girl Scouts; First Lutheran Church, St. Philip Lutheran Church, Accurate Perforating, Evergreen Oak Electric, Gerry Goodwrench Foundation; St. Francis Hospital, C&D Rental, LaUnica Food Store, the Simborg Family, The Blue Island Forum, Jem Reality, Jim & Carol Riehl, Debby Coyle, Marilyn Schroeder, Lori McCullem, Charlene and Eric Finn, Pele Hayes, Willie Scott, Karen Burmiester, Teddy Ruthenberg, Ed, Jon and Becky Coyle, Jenica and Matt Schultz Taylor, Mitch Siegel, Melanie Rickerson, Kathrine Mathis, Cadets Lupe Fernandez, Tony Favelall and Aja White; Bob Hennesy, Pat Disabato, Nancy Sevino and Headlines patrons; Pam’s Corner Store, Blue Island Video, Korbakes, Flowers by Bartles, Flowers by Cathe, Joe Bertucci Insurance, T&G’s, Beggar’s Pizza, Guiseppe’s Pizza, Pappas Restaurant. As always, if I’ve forgotten someone, I apologize for the oversight. I thank each and every donor.

2006 - In Photos

Saturday, December 30, 2006
7:47:00 PM EST

First, meet Urs. He acted as our faithful friend, companion and protector. And he did all his jobs very well.

We worked day and night, and could be expected to show up at any time.

And when all the packing was done, and we knew what each family would receive, we packed up our truck and delivered all of it. Along the way, we stopped to see Jackie, another Angel, who had fallen ill and couldn't be with us this year.

2005 - In Photos

Monday, November 13, 2006
3:50:00 AM EST

Our Christmas season begins with food drives. Our first comes from Stagg High School in Palos. The next from St. Rita High of Cascia School in Chicago. Last year after our other food drives came in, that's Paul Revere Primary and Intermediate, Kerr, Veteran's Memorial and Nathal Hale Middle, and Eisenhower High School, the Stagg High School National Honor Society joined us to separate food and to help us with organizational needs. Other schools and organizations will volunteer their people as well.

Our drives take in more than just food. We ask for items like toys, gloves, mittens and hats, toilet paper and even laundry detergent. Think about it. If the normal family needs it in order to operate on a day to day basis, we'll probably ask for it.

We ask for Christmas presents. Families, companies and civic groups wanting to join our ranks can adopt families. They are expected to provide Christmas dinner as well as gifts.

Delivery day is the biggest day of our Christmas season. We gather early to share a cup of coffee, a donut, and to prepare for the day. The trucks are loaded, and the warehouse is nearly emptied. And when we're done with that, we thank God for the opportunity to do the work we do.

We'll pile into our cars then, and we take off, usually with a police escort provided by the Blue Island Police Department. We cover as much of our areas as we can on this one particular day. Many times we surprise our clients as someone else recommended them to us. We'll bring gifts, food, clothing and even a Christmas tree and decorations if needed.

And when it's all over, we collapse.