An Angel's Touch is a grassroots organization that began because several of our members have suffered financially devastating situations such as illness or accidents. State and federal governments are not equipped to help individuals or families when speed becomes paramount. Private organisations do help, but at Christmas time, charity roles fill up quickly.

In 1990, Patrick and Georgene Mitchell faced just such a situation, and becuase they survived, they reached out in 1991 to help another family in need. The following year, they reached out again. When family and friends heard what the Mitchells' were doing, they wanted to help. In 1992, the small group helped two families. The following year they helped more. The group grew. Families who had been helped wanted to help also, just because when they needed help most, someone helped them. These friends gathered good, clean, used clothing during the year. They donated canned food, or money towards the purchase of food and necessities, and they bought Christmas presents. Pat Mitchell's cousins, Peggy Flood and Mary O'Brien, collected items they could use as stocking suffers. For each child on our Christmas list, Peggy and Mary provide a hand decorated stocking filled with small gifts.

In 1996 Boy Scout Troop 785 of St.Walters began a food drive in Blue Island. In 1997 individuals from Blue Island City government became involved, and students from St. Rita High School helped to pack and deliver our offerings. From there, the operation blossomed.

An Angel's Touch incorporated in 1998. This allows us to pursue corporate help and it also allows us to reach out to families and individuals who need help between Christmases.

We do not have paid employees, nor do we have An Angel's Touch office. Almost all of our donations are given over to helping people who need it. This policy has limited our access to funding, but it hasn't limited our efforts.

In 1995, the friends helped seven families at Christmas. In 1996, because of the Boy Scouts from St.Walters, we helped 17 families. In the ensuing years, the young men of St. Rita have allowed us to physically take on more work. In 2003, we helped over 50 families with food, clothing and Christmas presents. We helped another 70 with food baskets. During that time we have worked with other organizations, such as the Blue Island Nursing Home, Guildhaus of Blue Island, The Southwest Y.M.C.A., Metropolitan Family Services, the St.Benedict's Food Pantry, Reach Out of Blue Island, Port Ministries, CEDA, and the Salvation Army to reach common goals. We expect to do more in the future.