Thank You From An Angel's Touch
The Year of Friendship
(as published in the February 21, 2012 Blue Island Forum)
by Jude Coyle
Before I start, let me say that this article is about the experiences of my family. There are quite a number of people involved in An Angel's Touch. Unfortunately, as much as I'd like to, I haven't got the time or the space to write about what they do, which I guarantee is a lot.
Let me open with something I usually finish with: Donations stop at Christmas. Hunger doesn't. This year has been a bad year for most of us. Money is much dearer and the need is dreadful. Donations were very bad this year, and in fact, after 17 years of doing this work, I think this year was the worst. We were again lucky. We ran out of food early on. But thanks to Jim Reihl and his wonderful can shake, we were able to force our way forward. When the second wave of requests for help hit us, we bought food.
The second wave of food donations came after delivering to most of our families. So most went directly to the Salvation Army and St. Benedict's St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Please note. Every year we try to collect as much as we can just so we can pass food onto these groups. Our goal is to help families through emergencies, and being hungry is an emergency. Helping ease that by providing food to both these organizations then becomes one of our priorities. So, please, keep them in your prayers.
We lost a great friend this Christmas. Rose Rita used to collect cereal for us. She began way back when she was first elected Alderman. She called friends and family to say, “Please bring me a box of cereal.” By the time we arrived at her home to pick it up, she had bags loaded with boxes stacked in her entrance hall, up the stairs, and out in the garage. The first year she collected so much, we loaded our car, boxing both my son and me into our seats. Ed had packages stacked on his lap, on both shoulders, between his feet, and behind his head. When I opened the door to let him out, my husband and I caught cereal boxes as they fell. Rose began another tradition that day. She apologized because she didn't collect as much as she had hoped. Each year, she collected more, and each year she apologized for what she didn't collect. Once before John Rita passed, he commented towards me as I shook a collection can his way, about how cereal was taking over his home. I should mention that John was as wonderful to us as Rose was. Last year Rose was so ill, and yet she managed to make several calls, and again apologize. This year, Annie West collected cereal. We appreciate Annie's efforts and we pray she continues. Still every time I see a box of cereal I will think of Rose and her generous spirit. We will miss her dearly.
On to the next subject. I've written many times how my family became involved in An Angel's Touch because friends helped us out at Christmas when Bill took ill. It wasn't just food, presents and the niceties that meant the most to us, it was lasting friendship. Our troubled time wasn't easy. We had three children and needs we couldn't meet. This year the Coyle family relived that time as we watched our closest friends go through it. R. is a Vietnam vet, and Bronze Star recipient, and currently a member of the 99 club. In other words he was laid off three years ago when his company went under, and is no longer eligible for Unemployment. He tried and tried to find a new job. At his age though, no one was interested. He took ill, and lost a ton of weight. This man is about 5'9”, and now weighs less than 120 lbs. After about a year of testing, the V.A. doctors decided that it might be celiac disease. There's a lot more involved in this story that makes their situation harder yet.
There is a bright spot though. Bill and I picked up turkeys from Doubleplay Lounge. The Calumet Park Troublemakers have partnered with us over the last three years to help make the holidays a special time for needy families. As we were loading our trunk with five full turkey dinners, Bill took the opportunity to explain R.'s situation to Tony, Doubleplay's proprietor. A week later Tony called. “Say, Jude, you know your veteran friend? Troublemakers would like to help him.” He gave me a check. It wasn't an extraordinary amount, but let me tell you from personal experience, it was enough to knock our friend from his feet. So thank you Troublemakers for making his family's Christmas special.
Also a big thank you to Blue Island's troubadour and renaissance woman, Anna Stange. She surprised me one morning with a phone call. "Can I knit hats for you?" So thanks to Anna, we passed on a ton of exquisitely made hats.
Thank you to Patti Filewicz and the FORUM for collecting animal food. When money is that tight, dogs and cats are left behind.
Last year we helped a man living in his car after losing his home. This year he called to say he lost his car. We helped him and 37 other families. We joined with other organizations to help fire victims. We also helped 6 other charitable organizations. Like last year, we helped fewer families. It just seems that the families we did help found themselves in worse situations than ever before.
Please, friends, remember when donating, don't be embarrassed about how little you can give. Every can, every box and every penny adds up. More than that, your donations lets each family know that when something happens, they have friends. What better place to find friendship, than in Blue Island?
To all our friends, to all our donors, thank you. Please accept my apologies if I forget to mention your name or if I misspelled it. Your participation makes it possible to do the work we do. So thank you Mayor Donald E. Peloquin, his office; City Council, particularly Aldermen Nancy Thompson, Leticia Vieyra, Jan Ostling, Marcia Stone, Nancy Rita and Cathy Spizzirri; the Police and Fire Departments, the Building, Public Works and Water Departments; City Clerk Pam Frasor, Linda P, Linda O, Betty and Barb; MetroSouth Hospital; the Blue Island Public Library; Annie West and the Calumet Township Senior Center; St. Rita High School, DDE Key and Leo Clubs; Raeann Zylman and Veteran's Memorial Middle School; Paul Revere Intermediate and Primary Schools; First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Grace United Methodist Church; Lori Campione and St. Walter's School; Accurate Perforating; Mike Moran and RBM Motor Sales, Krueger's Funeral Home, the Calumet Park Troublemakers; Tony and the Doubleplay Lounge; The FORUM, Bob Jones and Beverly Bank: Bobbie and Jewel Foods; the Simborg Family, Temulac Boat Club and Windjammers Marina of Chicago, Korbakis Liquors, T&G's, Iversen's Bakery, Carr Gardens, A&R Security, Jim and Carol Reihl, John and Marsha Rauch, Betty Nagel, Nancy Schultz and Raymond Garay. Cadet Girl Scout Troop 602, Perry Recker, Anna Stange, Willie Scott, the Mark and Kathy Kuehner family, Gerry and Kim Runge, Jon and Becki Coyle, Gloria Zaper, Chris Rondella and Matt Hess. A huge thank you to my son, Ed, who was indispensable in everything we did this year.
