Angel's Wings Seeks Supplies For the Area's Foster Children

Candace Braun

Angel's Wings, an area non-profit, volunteer-driven organization, is seeking donations this summer to help assist with the displaced children in Central New Jersey that it helps support each year.

Helping abused or neglected infants and children through the age of 12, Angel's Wings provides food, clothing, medical and health care, education programs, toys, books, recreational activities, and social interaction training. Since 1999, the organization has given emergency and respite care to over 500 children who would have no place to go due to the shortage of foster homes. Volunteers work around-the-clock in four-hour shifts to make sure children have a nurturing environment that prepares them for a smooth transition into a foster placement.

In addition to caring for children, Angel's Wings is involved with expanding the pool of foster and adoptive parents in the state, along with offering intensive case management to families with parents who abuse drugs or alcohol. This helps some children to return to their own family, rather than being adopted out to a foster family.

While Angel's Wings is always seeking supplies, it is also always in need of volunteers. Certified volunteers help assist with the completion of state and federal fingerprinting, DMV police checks, seeing that children have their tuberculosis tests. They also receive CPR training and must go through an Angel's Wings protocol training course.

Summer Needs Wish List The following items are needed at Angel's Wings this summer: suitcases/duffle bags/backpacks Polaroid I-Zone film 100 percent juice (in plastic bottles) boys' sizes 4T and 5/6 shorts and pants boys' size 10/12 and 14/16 shorts and tops training bras laundry detergent fabric softener sheets antibacterial hand soap bleach liquid dishwasher detergent baby strollers and double strollers gift certificates (local eateries, movies, family/children's amusements) baby food and cereal boxed cereal (Cheerios, etc.) drinking straws microwaveable meals healthy snack food pull-ups/disposable training pants children's sunscreen hair lotion/oil

Volunteers are asked to commit to one four-hour shift per month. The organization also has full time staff that assist with the organization's daily functions.

In early March, Angel's Wings announced a merger with Anchor House, which provides shelter and counseling to youth and runaways aged 10 to 17 years. Just finalized on July 1, this merger has allowed the two organizations to provide care for children at any age level, said Judy Hutton, executive director of Anchor House.

Being both based in Trenton, the organizations have combined some of their administration; however, all of the programs they offer will remain separate. But now, if someone were to contact one of the organizations, the two can work together to find the best way to help a displaced or neglected child, said Ms. Hutton.

For more information on how to make a donation or volunteer with one of the organizations, call Judy Hutton at (609) 392-6100, or visit www.angels-wings.org.