FEBRRUARY 2021 NEWSLETTER

A NEW DATE FOR OUR BLUE RIBBON GALA

As all of you know, our April 10th 2020 Annual Blue Ribbon Gala was postponed several times in 2020. The Angels felt for sure that the April 10th, 2021 date would work, but unfortunately COVID is still standing in the way so we are now looking at Friday, October 22nd, 2021 as the date for our Annual Blue Ribbon Gala. I would like to thank each of you that have been a support for our Gala and also thank you for your patience throughout this past year for the changes we have had to make. Since the Blue Ribbon event is our only awareness event that allows us to sustain the programs we provide to our community partners, it is important that we find a way to make it happen. The Angels feel that later this year will allow us sufficient time to work through COVID and have an amazing event that will be a celebration of being together while raising funds to touch the lives of the children and youth we advocate for throughout the year.

Every dollar we receive goes directly to one of our programs that make a difference in the lives of the child. Last year tested all of us and we are ALL stronger than ever to have survived such a challenging time but imagine how difficult it has been for these vulnerable children who have already suffered so much. We HOPE you will join us October 22nd, 2021 and help us make a difference and celebrate our ability to adapt to change! Again, thank you for your patience and understanding through the many changes we have had to make due to COVID guidelines.

JOIN US OCTOBER 22ND, 2021 FOR A SPECIAL CELEBRATION OUR
ANNUAL BLUE RIBBON GALA

If you have already purchased your tickets, we hope to see you! If you have not, please follow the links below and purchase your ticket or table for a beautiful evening that we planned just for YOU. If you are unable to attend, you can make a donation directly on our Facebook page or buy clicking on the donate buttons throughout our website to make a difference in the a child’s life.

For those of you that have already donated, Thank You from the bottom of our hearts!

​

EXCITEMENT IS IN THE AIR
NEW ANGEL PROGRAMS 2021

Directions for Living (DFL)
Campbell Park Elementary & Kings Highway Elementary Schools

BIG NEWS
298 CHILDREN’S
LIVES CHANGED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME…

Campbell Park Elementary School Pre-K First Five Program/BabyCAT started in 2020 and Kings Highway Elementary School in 2021. The Angels partnered with Directions for Living to launch a new program specifically designed to provide an Intensive In-home Service for children under 5, which is also referred to as the “First Five Program”. Their success is largely attributed to the piece of the puzzle that the Angels provide, which Directions refers to as “The Secret Sauce”, our Clinical Consultant. The Clinical Consultant works intensely with the children and their behavioral issues, the teachers, and the parents to assure the success of this program. There is a sense of normalcy and consistency in their lives during their most critical years of development. The Angels are extremely excited to partner with Directions on this program since it accomplishes our mission of breaking the pattern of abuse! Our focus is to do anything possible to eliminate abuse and allow children to grow into healthy and happy adults. As of this writing the success of this program is at 98% and this model has received a lot of attention by funders. Thanks to the success of this program and our involvement, we are now able to move into another Pre-K school in Clearwater called Kings Highway Elementary. We believe this is only the beginning and other schools will follow. The ripple effect of the success of this model not only impacts the child, but it also impacts our community when you convert the cost of the child welfare system every time a child is removed and becomes another statistic in the foster care system. As of this update, 298 children are not going into the foster care system thanks to this program.

Guardian ad Litem Foundation (GAL)

Opportunity Outreach
Dream, Believe, Succeed!

GUARDIAN AD LITEM
DREAM it, BELIEVE it, SUCCEED

The Angels are so proud to once again work with the Guardian ad Litem Foundation to help address the needs of the children they advocate for 24/7. With visitations down due to COVID, and schools being closed for almost all of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, there are requests for these children to try and live as normal a life as possible and give them a sense of normalcy in their lives. The Opportunity Outreach Program is a direct benefit to children allowing them to have real, “normal” kid experiences. These funds help to make sure that they can participate in the school, church, and/or community activities that they are interested in without putting the burden of funding on the child or foster parent. Some examples of funding requests include:

• Registration fees for school sports and the equipment needed to participate.
• Going on a school field trip or church/YMCA outing
• Going to homecoming or prom and purchasing a dress or suit
• Getting a bike
• Being able to purchase school pictures
• Taking dance, karate, or music lessons after school
• Covering the cost of a cake for a birthday party
• Attending summer camp
• Taking swim lessons

This program will give Hope to children who often have little to smile about. It is the little things that could potentially turn a child’s life around, and if one wish granted can make a difference in their lives, the Angels will make that happen!

​

Look what’s inside our
Angel Baby Mouse Nibbles Bags

The Kind Mouse
Angel Baby Mouse Nibbles Program

The Kind Mouse & Angels Against Abuse, Angel Baby Mouse Nibbles Program is a new program that we are very excited about! These baby bags will be filled with items specifically for infants that will be distributed to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to assist with baby needs and urgent items for babies when removed. There has been a big increase in 2020 infant removal and this is a concern that needed to be addressed. The Angels have partnered with The Kind Mouse to make sure no babies are going without! These baby bags will include items that will make a difference until they are placed with relatives or in foster care. The bags will include pre-mixed formula or baby food depending on the age of the infant, diapers, wipes, baby wash, diaper rash ointment, clothing based on age and gender of infant, washcloths, bibs, baby book, pacifier, rattles, and baby bottles. The Sheriff’s office said the average removal per month of infants right now, is around 15-17 a month. We feel this is a need that should be addressed.

​

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO THE ANGELS

Al & Susan Bennati
Alexandra Bryant
Alina Linthicum
Allen & Sarah Keesler
Allen, Johanna
Amanda Meland
Angels Against Abuse, Inc
Bailey’s Medical Equipment
Becky Hudson
Career Path Training/Roadmaster Driving School
Clearwater Barre
Corey Heilman
Curativa Bay Corporation
David Herman, Trustee White Family Foundation
Diana & Kerry Helinger
Douglas Bauer
Ella Reams
Evan Rosich
Flora and Mike Corrigan
Heather Yung
Helen & Rudy Consoni
J Larsen & Associates CPA
James & Kriste Helinger
Jason & Amanda Meland
John & Sandy Kearney
Karen Faller
Ken & Maureen Heretick
Kim & Richard Bauer
Kristen Davis
Mark & Jessica Young
Nicole & Tony Spinelli
Nicole Day
Paula & Charles Park
Rebecca Anderson
Susan Proctor
Ten Pins Bowling Alley
The Broadrick Family Foundation
The Speer Foundation
The White Family Foundation
TIGNA Grant
Veterans of Foreign War Post 2473
Weston Newman

HEALTHY START PAT+ MISSION STATEMENT

Healthy Start PAT focuses on reducing infant mortality and morbidity rates in the community by providing comprehensive case management and support services to pregnant and parenting substance abusing women with children ages 0-18 months. The Angels have partnered with them for the past several years through our Christmas Giving and our Angel Assistance Programs. Throughout the year when we receive requests for the moms or their babies, we address those needs quickly to make sure their needs are met.

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.

Please Mark your calendars for August 21st, 2021, the famous Kind Mouse Mousequerade! The Kind Mouse never wants a child to go to bed hungry and thanks to Gina Wilkins, the Founder & President, Children in our community get their little tummies filled, but without the support of our community, The Kind Mouse would not be able to accomplish this.

The Angels are proud to be a partner with The Kind Mouse and be a part of assisting with this terrible pandemic of hunger that we have in our community.

Thank you Gina for all you do!

OUR NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED MARCH 9TH 2021

It is our plan to resume our regular monthly meetings starting in March! We are hoping that we can make it happen but we need to have our attendance high enough to warrant a meeting. If you would please contact me via email ([email protected]) as soon as you receive this newsletter and let me know if you would be in attendance, I can get an idea of whether or not to have a March Angel Meeting. Of course we will adhere to all the necessary guidelines due to COVID, but we need to get back to some sort of normalcy in the next few months so we can continue to grow and make a difference in the lives of the children we advocate for. Our meeting have always been a source of information and sharing and it takes each of you to help make a difference in building our awareness in the community. PLEASE try to attend!

WE would love to see YOU…

It’s Still Important We Stay In Touch To Let You Know Our News!
Hopefully Our Monthly News Will Give You An Update of
Angels Making A Difference…

JUST HANG IN THERE!

Are you coming to our Angel Meeting?

LOCATION
Pasadena Community Church, Life Enrichment Center

DATE AND TIME
03/09/21 8:30am – 03/09/21 9:30am

Welcome back meeting from COVID-19

Angels Against Abuse Gives HOPE,
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow….

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!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

IF ALL GOES WELL

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

IF ALL GOES WELL

2021

March 9th 2021 – 8:30 AM -9:30 AM
Pasadena Community Church
221 70th Street South
St Petersburg, FL

April 13th 2021 – 8:30 AM -9:30 AM
Pasadena Community Church
221 70th Street South
St Petersburg, FL

May 11th 2021 – 8:30 AM -9:30 AM
Pasadena Community Church
221 70th Street South
St Petersburg, FL

June, July & August No Meetings
Summer Break

August 21st 2021 – 6:00 – 11:00 PM
The Kind Mouse Mousequerade

September 14th 2021 – 8:30 AM -9:30 AM
Pasadena Community Church
221 70th Street South
St Petersburg, FL

October 12th 2021 – 8:30 AM -9:30 AM
Pasadena Community Church
221 70th Street South
St Petersburg, FL

October 22nd 2021 – 6:00 PM -11:00 PM
Annual Blue Ribbon Gala
The St Pete Yacht Club
11 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL