August 2020
Dear Angels, Friends & Families
Not Much Has Changed Since The July Newsletter
BUT
We Have To Stay In Touch…
We are HOPEFUL To Be Able To Meet Before 2020 Ends…
But We Are Still Waiting For The Virus To Say Goodbye…
And Life To Get Back To Normal!
Right now our best way to communicate with one another is through the monthly Newsletter, so please make sure you take the time to read it so you you know what is going on with the Angels and keep us informed on what is going on with you!
ARE YOU TIRED OF
MASKS YET? I AM…
Until further notice, we won’t have meetings at the Church since they are currently closed, but if anyone or a group of 10 would like to get together, I would be happy to make it happen. We had gained so much momentum with our meetings over the past few years, and although I know this will end soon, we have to figure our other ways to stay in touch.
I just cannot wait to see all of my Angels soon! Whether it is an “Air Hug” or a “Real Hug”, I am going to be over-joyed to see all of you again when we can all be together again in the same room. This terrible virus has impacted our world causing a ripple effect of the way we live our lives, but we are still making a difference in the lives of children throughout our community. There are a lot of obstacles and challenges that come our way daily, but we are figuring different ways of getting the job done and still making Angel Magic. There are still some great things happening in spite of what each of us have been faced with and you will have a chance to read about them in our newsletter.
I would like to thank all of my prayer warriors for all your amazing prayers that got me through the month of July. When John, my hubby, got COVID and was in the ICU of Palms of Pasadena, there were days things were not looking very good for him. Thanks to the Heroes who are caring for the hundreds of sick patients, John was able to get through this tough time, but Prayers were the best medicine of all. From the bottom of our hearts, “thank you” for taking time to pray for him. He is still recovering, but he is on the other side of this terrible virus and we are so blessed and grateful.
I was hoping that by September, we could still have our Annual Blue Ribbon Gala that we were all looking forward to. Originally it was scheduled for April 20th 2020 and then moved to September 19th 2020, and now rescheduled for April 10th 2021. Unfortunately we are still under the tough guidelines implemented that does not allow large gatherings of more than 10 guests. Since we were already at 300, the SPYC or any other venue would not allow us to have our event. Plus with having to wear face masks and having to do social distancing, the event would not have been the same! We want our event to be the same success we have enjoyed over the past 13 years so we are hoping that all of you will attend our 2021 Gala that is presently scheduled for April 10th, 2021. This will be a night to remember and we are counting on your support!
We feel that our 2021 Gala will be a true celebration of all we have faced together in 2020 and what we have to look forward to in the future. It will be an AWESOME NIGHT and a FANTASTIC CELEBRATION! PLEASE PLAN ON BEING THERE…
JUST HANG IN THERE!
THANK YOU
to all the first responders, the community leaders, the generous individuals and our Angels who are making a difference in the lives of children and families. Over the past several months you have worked tireless hours to help the children and families in our community who are in need of so much be safe and cared for. To all of our friends and family members who are struggling through this difficult time, our prayers and thoughts are with you!
NEVER lose sight of HOPE, hold on to your FAITH, and know that WE are all in this TOGETHER! God never puts more on our plate than we can handle and there will be brighter days ahead of us. WE all need to pull together as ONE and find PEACE and HARMONY in our days ahead!
ATTENTION PLEASE
SINCE OUR April 19th 2020 Annual Blue Ribbon Gala has been cancelled for this year, and rescheduled for April 10th 2021, we wanted to advise everyone that we were only 2 weeks away from the Gala when COVID changed everything. We were already at 300 guests, all of our silent auction and live auction items were ready to go and life as we knew it stopped! Since this event is our only event that raises awareness in our community as to what we do for the children and families we assist 24/7 who are victims of abuse and neglect, we are hoping that each of you will reserve the 2021 date and be ready to be a part of this special night. Many of our table sponsors had already purchased their tables and we are hoping that we can transfer these sponsorships to our 2021 Gala. Our night will be a CELEBRATION of how we survived a tough year and made it through the year! We are all stronger and better as a result of what we have endured and our 2021 Gala will be special night for so many reasons, so PLEASE Join us for a spectacular evening…
Angels Against Abuse Gives HOPE,
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow….
SHARE SOME NEWS!
We would love to share some good news to our Angels, Friends and Families that receive this newsletter. During these times of uncertainty, fear and frustrations, good news gives us Hope and something to brighten our days. We know there is some amazing work being done by so many individuals and agencies in our community so please share your stories so we can pass them on to others. Please email Sandy Kearney at [email protected] and we will make sure your stories are shared in our next newsletter.
The Kind Mouse has been busier than ever during this difficult time packing and delivering to hungry children and families by filling there little bellies. No child should go to bed hungry and thanks to the Kind Mouse, little bellies get filled every day! The Angels have chipped in some more funding to assist with this epidemic!
Healthy Start recently announced that Angels Against Abuse was named their Volunteers of the Year for all we do for the little ones and their moms throughout the year! Thank you so much for this recognition.
Despite Covid affecting many families being able to visit with their children face to face, the Angel Center has been providing a safe and clean environment for children to be able to visit with their families. This has been a positive and heartwarming experience to able to see the interactions between the parent and children after not being able to see each other in months. The children’s face light up when they see their parents, which makes it what we do at the Center so heartwarming. Ashley, our Angel Center Manager, shared this with me last week:
“Within this year, two families were reunified that had visits at the Angel’s Visitation Center! These families loved utilizing the Angel Center for their visits and did a great job at working their case plan to the very end. Both families have still been coming to the center to visit because they felt that the center offered so much to joy! It’s amazing to see the growth of both the parents and children and we wish them the best in their endeavors after reunification. “
Quote from parent:
“Thank you so much for offering such a beautiful facility for me and my children to visit in. The Angel Center has been a huge help to me and my family, not only by allowing us to visit there, but also by helping us with resources and essential items needed for my children. They have given me diapers, wipes, a pac-n-play, a car seat and much more which helped me during a difficult time in my life. I’m working a steady job, have a place, and I’m working on going back to school to build a better life for my children now that I have them back, thank you!!”
Friends of the Children Mentoring Program
We received our list from the FOTC Mentoring Program that they needed uniforms, school supplies and 5 boy bikes to get ready for school to start August 24th 2020. The Angels love putting smiles on the faces of these children who are looking forward to going back to school!
The Angels are excited to assist with the children’s needs during this challenging time. We know how excite the kids are to be returning to school and seeing their friends. Let’s encourage our kids to respect each other and understand that every day is a blessing and loving one another is so much easier than not!
The Angels are excited to assist with the children’s needs during this challenging time. We know how excite the kids are to be returning to school and seeing their friends. Let’s encourage our kids to respectThe Campbell Park Elementary School (First Five Program) is under way and changing lives even during the Pandemic. The Expert is currently working full time with the children and families daily. All services are provided to the children, teachers and parents virtually using Zoom technology. These services are provided at no cost to the families.There is constant oversight to make sure the children are safely housed. There are presently over 100 pre-school and elementary school children attending Campbell Park Elementary who are homeless or housing unstable living in a hotel/motel. The Angels will be getting uniforms, backpacks,m school supplies and tablets for learning. These little children are over the moon happy to be living normal lives and participating moms and dads! each other and understand that every day is a blessing and loving one another is so much easier than not!
PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ANGEL ASSISTANCE
Kelly Johnson, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has requested uniforms, school supplies, tablets, gift cards and other back to school assistance. This is a busy time for the Angels to make a difference in the lives of these children.
Directions for Living – During the Pandemic, there have been so many emergency needs and families in desperate need of everything. The Angel Resource Center has remained stocked and available for the needs of our community partners. To further assist them during this challenging times, we have had many items shipped directly to them to keep everyone safe and out of harms way.
THANK YOU ANGELS FOR WRITING YOUR REVIEWS!
IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR TO GET THOSE REVIEWS IN. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT SO PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND WRITE A REVIEW TO LET EVERYONE KNOW HOW WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. YOUR WORDS SPEAK VOLUMES IN THE COMMUNITY!
PLEASE CLICK ON THE BUTTONS FOR EACH OF THE UPCOMING EVENTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EVENTS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE PART OF ANGELS AGAINST ABUSE, INC. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE EMAIL ME AND [email protected]
PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
We are looking for volunteers for all of our upcoming events. Please contact Sandy Kearney by clicking on the above link and let us know which of our upcoming events you are available to help volunteer. Please remember that all of these events benefit the Angels and your support will make a difference. Thank you for your support!
When it comes to helping others, there are no little things…the accumulation of a lot of little things isn’t little…it takes each of us to make a difference for all of us…none of us can do everything at one, but all of us can do something at once…one person can make a difference, and every person must try…
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR UPCOMING EVENTS
Let’s Get to Work
Let’s Get to Work
We are looking for volunteers for all of our upcoming events. Please contact Sandy Kearney by clicking on the above link and let us know which of our upcoming events you are available to help volunteer. Please remember that all of these events benefit the Angels and your support will make a difference. Thank you for your support!
April 10th 2021 – 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
ANNUAL BLUE RIBBON GALA
ST PETE YACHT CLUB