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
