Each year, through the generosity of the parishioners of St. Mary's Church, gifts are collected and distributed to families in need from elementary schools in Wappingers Falls, as well as 8 Catholic Charities Families in Poughkeepsie.  In addition, monetary collections are used to purchase gifts for over 60 residents of the Elant Nursing Home (formerly Hudson Haven Nursing Home) in Wappingers Falls and for the Sisters of the Poor Clare Monastery.

As As the 2008 Christmas Angel Program comes to a close, we are excited to share some astounding results with you.  We are thrilled to inform you that, because of your generosity, we were able to help 73 families this Christmas donating 723 gifts to the following ~ (65) families from (6) elementary schools and (8) families from Catholic Charities of Poughkeepsie and (62) residents of Elant who received individual gifts that they each selected.  For the Sisters of Poor Clare we gave them $350.00 in Hannaford gift cards and a Pastry Tray.

We would like to thank all the parishioners and all those who helped make this program the success it was. In particular we would like to thank, the Catholic Daughters Court Queen of Peace #1534, Peggy, Katie & Tim Hurley, Mary Messina, The Pilon Family, Eileen Fratto, Kathleen Davis, Margie Dalia, Sally & Mike Trabucco, Claire Piccorelli, The Pennacchia Family, Donna Malizia, Richard & Elizabeth Smith, Nicholas & Shannon Quaid, and Kristen & Bill Duke.

We are truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful giving parish and thank thank Mrs. LaRose for use of the school cafeteria, Monsignor Bellew, Father Dhas, Mary Ann and Mary in the Rectory for all their support and assistance.

We wish you and your families a very Blessed and Happy New Year!

Carol Quaid & Debbie Duke

We received two thank you letters from 2008:

"On behalf of Myers Corners School, we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your continued generosity to our school.  We truly appreciate your assistance in providing our needy families with a happy holiday season.  Given the recent economic climate your participation this year was the utmost importance and enabled these families to provide gifts for their children that they otherwise would not have been able to provide.

Sincerely, Jay Curtis, School Principal & Dawn Sala School Psychologist

Sincerely, Patricia Usifer, Activity Director

I selected an Angel and can't find the requested gift.  What should I do?

You may purchase a Gift Card to a store that sells the type of gift requested.

I bought a gift but lost the Angel.  What should I do?

You may wrap the Gift, and place a note on it stating what the gift is, and that the Angel was lost.

The following are excerpts from the "Thank You notes" received from the families that benefited from the program: