Formerly needy join group to help others
by Brent Watters
as published in the Daily Southtown, Christmas 1998
Georgene Mitchell recently received a heart-wrenching call from a friend who told
her of a woman she knew whose husband is dying and whose family is in need of help.
Besides not being able to afford Christmas gifts for her children, the woman was
even more concerned about not being able to afford dress clothes for her children to
wear to their father's imminent funeral, the friend told Mitchell.
Mitchell said she frequently receives such distressing calls, and said she never
ceases to get emotional when she hears about a family in need.
"When I heard about the woman's situation and that her husband might die around
Christmas," Mitchell said, pausing, "well, it's one of those things that you hear and
you can't help but to weep."
Mitchell is founder of An Angel's Touch, a Blue Island-based group that provides
clothing, food, and help to families in need throughout the year, especially during
the holiday season. What makes this situation unique is that these volunteers who
are part of An Angel's Touch at one point or another, fell into financial despair
themselves.
Blue Island resident Judy Coyle and her family were among the first families
helped by the group after it formed in 1991.
"There are not many organizations like this one that have members who truly
understand the hardships a family can face. They really helped us during a
rough time," Coyle said.
Coyle's husband had been laid off from his job. Shortly after getting another
job, he because seriously ill and had to be hospitalized.
"He had to have surgery, and the hospital bills nearly wiped us out. We were
already living paycheck to paycheck like many other working-class families," Coyle said.
"It was the end of October, and we tried to go to the churches to get food on the table,
but the donation lists were already full," Coyle said.
Through a mutual friend, Mitchell heard about the Coyles' hardships. That's when
members of an Angel's Touch stepped in, Coyle said.
"One day our doorbell rang. I opened the door and all these people carrying boxes
rushed in the house and rushed right back out," Coyle said.
The best thing about the group, Mitchell said, is that its volunteers rush into
a house with donations and leave quickly before the family has time to say no.
"There are a lot of people who end up in tight situations and are too proud to ask for
help. But we get by the pride issue by rushing in and getting out," Mitchell said.
The members of the group had delivered boxes of clothes, toys and food to the Coyles.
Since pulling themselves out of their financial rut, Coyle and her husband have
been dedicated members of An Angel's Touch.
Even Coyle's children are playing a big role in helping the group.
"MY son got his Boy Scout group.. and my daughter got her Brownie troup....involved.
They have played a key role in picking up our donated items," Coyle said.
Mitchell's story is not much different from Coyle's.
In 1990, her husband had lost his job and one of her two boys had fallen ill.
Like Coyle, it was also during the month of October that the Mitchells fell into
dire financial straits and were unable to find assistance from anyone except
for close family and friends.
The Mitchells had vowed that if they made it through that Christmas they would
help other families who had fallen into the same situation, Mitchell said.
Using donations from relatives and friends, Mitchell and her family were able to
survive until her husband got more work.
Once back on their feet, Mitchell began soliciting donations from friends and relatives
to form An Angel's Touch. Since 1991, the group has grown from a handful of
members to a core group of more than 35 volunteers. Last year, the group provided
assistance to more than 35 families.
The group currently has 13 families on its delivery list. That number is expected
to triple within the next few weeks. Mitchell said.
Though most of the families the group helps live in Blue Island, An Angel's
Touch does not hesitate to help any family in the Southland that is in need of assistance.
"We'll be helping a family in Joliet this year. It's the farthest we've gone but we're
not going to turn our backs to anyone," Coyle said.
The families are referred to the group mainly though word of mouth.
The group supplies families with items that have been donated by local residents and
businesses. Financial contributions made to the group are used to buy items for families
in need.
"Truly the best part of Christmas is the giving, and a lot of people have found that
to be true by helping out," Mitchell said.
To make donations to An Angel's Touch, volunteer with the group or refer a family
for assistance, Call Mitchell at (773) 254-3232. (ext. 312)
Donations also can be mailed to Mitchell at 3636 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60632
Each year we strive to do our very best to help others through emergencies because we know what it's like to do without. Last Christmas we helped 58 families, and more during the year. We've also passed along Christmas joy to the Blue Island Nursing Home, Courage, Guildhaus, the Southwest YMCA, to the CEDA School in Blue Island, and other organizations. And each year, after Christmas, we pass our remaining canned food donations to the St. Benedict's Parish Food Pantry and the Salvation Army. This year we hope to do as much as last, if not more.
Food drives: We need canned and boxed goods. We also need frozen meat including turkeys, hams, chicken and hamburger.
A back to basics food drive: We need, but rarely receive, basic items like salt, pepper, vinegar, oil, mustard, ketchup, pancake mix, syrup, peanut butter and jelly.
Cereal drive: Annie West of the Calumet Township Senior Center collects boxes of cereal.
Baby drive: We need diapers, baby food, wipes, etc.
Christmas stockings: We provide hand decorated Christmas stockings for every child on our list, including teenagers. We need stocking stuffers. We also help the CEDA school in Blue Island. We need stocking stuffers, like large crayons, coloring books, bubbles, candy, stuffed animals, and small, but safe toys for preschoolers.
We need school supplies. We try to provide each child on our Christmas list with a backpack full of supplies.
Toy drive: We need toys for children of all ages.
Hats, scarves and mittens: We try to provide each member of our families with hats, mittens and scarves, and if necessary coats. We want to provide hats, mittens and scarves for the children at the CEDA school. These are all preschoolers.
Non-food drive: This includes household cleaners like laundry or dish detergent, bleach, etc. And we need toilet paper, tissue, paper towels, health and beauty items, etc.
Penny jars: We have jars with our name on them. Many businesses place them on counters where customers can throw their change.
Gift certificates drives: We are looking for gift cards from stores like Jewel, Food 4 Less, and Dominics. We would also gratefully accept cards from Walgreens, CVS, Cosco, Speedway, Marathon, Thorton's and Citgo.
Adoption: Families or groups can have a chance to play Santa by adopting individual families. We ask for Christmas dinner and gifts for each member of our families.
