As we turn to the final page on the calendar that is 2021, Annie's Angels would like to thank you for all you have done to help us, help local families struggling through life threatening disease, illness and disability.
I am happy to report that in 5380 consecutive days that Annie’s Angels has been filling requests, 5788 requests have been successfully completed! Between November 1 & 30, 2021 Annie’s Angels has received and assisted with 46 requests compared to November 2020 of 22 requests, a 109% increase from last year. Requests to date 2021 are 582 compared to 2020 at 409, a 43% increase compared to the same time frame last year. All this because YOU have been so generous!
I want to thank Arete Chiropractic who has "planted" a Christmas Angel Tree in their office. Each year Areté Chiropractic partners with Annie's Angels to help local families in need who could use your support this holiday season. You can help by donating a Gift Card valued at around $25.
Patients who bring in a gift card will have the option of getting a complimentary regular office visit OR a gift certificate for $65 off an Initial Consultation to give away to a loved one who may benefit from what they do! Gift Cards ONLY Please! One offer per patient
I would like to thank our friends at Colwen Hotels for their generosity in supporting 10 Angel families this Christmas. Colwen has received the wish lists of these 10 families and are currently working to fill those lists! Colwen, an amazing company doing amazing things!
I would like to welcome Portsmouth based SC Digital to the Angel family. Brad and his team have taken over maintenance and updates at anniesangels.org. Their donation of time and talent will save Annie's Angels thousands of marketing dollars which we can use to help the rising number of families in need.
In 2014, in response to a television program I saw, I was inspired to create a program to provide companion animals to veterans. Its working title was Angel Pets for Vets. After several months of developing it internally, I spoke with Jo Ann Clark, and I thought it would be a great idea to offer to name this program in memory of her son. This would provide a lasting memorial for Chris and a personal, local connection for the program. On January 8, 2015, at a regularly scheduled meeting of our board of directors, Chris Pets for Vets was voted in as a program of Annie's Angels, registered with the State of NH under our 501(c)(3) determination. Recently, the Clarks decided to leave our Angel family, and we wish them nothing but the best in their new endeavors. We will continue with the program under its original name, Angel Pets for Vets.
Finally, on the lighter side, Advisory Committee member Mike Welty has challenged me to participate in the Ice Breaker Plunge. This event is produced by United Bikers of NH and will benefit Angel Pets for Vets. It will take place January 15 on Silver Lake in Ossipee. I told him if he raised the money I would do it More details can be found below. Thanks to our marketing specialist Natalie Ranalli for making me look good in the promos. Gotta love that photoshop!
If you have an idea, but don't think you have the time to make it reality, let me introduce you to our new Director of Development, Diane DaGiau. Besides being my wife, Diane has been an event and catering coordinator for KISS Radio, Hertz Corporate, Liberty Mutual Corporate, Lonza and our very own Valerio's Kitchen where she planned events and fed heads of state and corporate leaders. She is very much up for this task! Send your ideas to her at
diane@anniesangels.org
and she'll try to make your fundraising idea a reality!
Annie's Angels is Angel Hands; Angels Hearts working together to help friends in need.
Looking for a Companion Dog?
Before you read another word, let me be perfectly clear, you must be a veteran, these two must be adopted together and are located in Central New Jersey! You must be willing to go pick them up or make arrangements for delivery. They are FREE!
Marilyn is with an animal rescue in central New Jersey called Animal Friends for Education & Welfare, Inc.(AFEW), a 501c3, not for profit. She is offering Rosie and Beto to a special veteran family.
Let me introduce you to Rosie & Beto. They are two mellow, 5yr old siblings that would love to be a companion/friend to someone who will care about them. All they want to do is be with their person. They have been together since birth and at about 4 yrs old their owner decided she didn’t want
them anymore and put them in a high kill shelter. Another rescue pulled them out but then when it was taking awhile to find them a foster or permanent home, they gave up on them and they were scheduled for euthanasia. At that time AFEW pulled them and they are currently being boarded.
These guys are easy keepers; all they need is a fenced yard and no other pets. They want to be where “you” are. Because of their size we think older children 8+. They are clean, completely vetted, and really good dogs that just need the opportunity to show how great they are. Rosie & Beto would be such wonderful companions for one of our treasured veterans. They truly need each other.
If you are interested in adopting Rosie and Beto, please email me, bill@anniesangels.org for details.
Thanks to YOU we are able to ease some of the stresses that come with a doctors diagnosis. We just
can't do this good work without YOUR support. Please help Annie's Angels continue our mission, help Annie's Angels remain a beacon of hope by making a one time or recurring monthly contribution on our website,
A
nniesAngels.org. Consider making a tax deductible contribution to
Annie's Angels
or visit the
Our Families
tab on the website and select a particular family to help. Get updates about "your family" on the website or follow them on social media to see how your contributions are working, and thanks again for your continued support.
Angel Pets for Vets
I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our updated and improved Angel Pets for Vets program.
Our work with local animal shelters will pair veterans with a free pet, so they can more easily deal with PTS, helping to heal the deep emotional scars, and possibly save their lives. We have also added an option to help a veteran fundraise for a service dog and we can help them get their current companion dog certified as a service dog!
All of our veterans need some level of help, whether they admit it or not… And whether or not they show any symptoms of PTS or other emotional issues.
Vets have sacrificed their well-being for us and our country, and now it’s our turn to help them in return!
What are the signs of PTS?
- Feeling upset by things that remind you of what happened
- Having nightmares, vivid memories, or flashbacks of the event that make you feel like it’s happening all over again
- Feeling emotionally cut off from others
- Feeling numb or losing interest in things you used to care about
- Becoming depressed
- Thinking that you are always in danger
- Feeling anxious, jittery, or irritated
- Experiencing a sense of panic that something bad is about to happen
- Having difficulty sleeping
- Having trouble keeping your mind on one thing
- Having a hard time relating to and getting along with your spouse, family, or friends
When stress brought on flashbacks, I dealt with them by drinking them away. I considered it recreational drinking, but really I was self-medicating.” Source: Make the Connection, “Veteran’s Voices on PTS”
Where to seek assistance:
- In an emergency, the Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 Press 1 for Veterans or online chat at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net
- Your local VA Medical Center or Vet Center: VA specializes in the care and treatment of Veterans www2.va.gov/directory/guide/vetcenter_flsh.asp
- Your local Vet Center and speak with a counselor or therapist—many of whom are Veterans themselves—for free, without an appointment, and regardless of your enrollment status with VA http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/vetcenter_flsh.asp
Companion animals can make such a huge difference in a veteran’s life. This is our way of giving back to them. Make a tax deductible donation TODAY to possibly save a life…
