St. Mary's Parish Organizations - Christmas Angel Program

Christmas Tree Angel Each year, through the generosity of the parishioners of St. Mary's Church, over 600 gifts are collected and distributed to families in need from elementary schools in Wappingers Falls, as well as 12 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 the 2007 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 70 families this Christmas donating 695 gifts to the following: 58 families from 5 elementary schools, 12 families from Catholic Charities of Poughkeepsie. We also gave the 58 residents of Elant Nursing Home sweat suits. To the Poor Clare Sisters, we gave grocery gift cards.

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 Richard & Elizabeth Smith, Peggy Hurley, Mary Messina, Sabrina Pilon, Eileen Fratto, Kathleen Davis, Sally & Mike Trabucco, Claire Piccorelli, Josephine, Stephanie & Jonathan Pennacchia, Donna, Richard & Dana Malizia, Nicholas & Shannon Quaid and Kristen & Bill Duke.

We are truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful giving parish and thank Msgr. Bellew, Fr. Dhas, Mary Ann & 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

This was received 12/21/07 from a Nurse at one of the Elementary Schools:

"Thank you so much for providing a bountiful Christmas for so many of our less fortunate children at our school. I was very fortunate to witness first hand the gratitude of the parents receiving the many gifts for their children. Some were speechless, some cried, we were all humbled. I wish you all a Merry Christmas! You are truly Angels!!"

2007 DIRECTIONS FOR TAKING AN ANGEL

Take an angel off the tree and ignore the # on it. That is just a code for the committee. Purchase the gift written on the angel, wrap it and tape the gold angel to the top of the package. Please, send only new gifts as this is the only time some families receive new items all year.

Please return your gift to the church no later than Sunday, Dec. 9th, and place in the back of the church. It is important that all the gifts are returned no later than Dec. 9th, because we need to deliver them. If you are unable to get them to the church, please call 297-0072 to make special arrangements.

We also have a wooden box located in the back of the church to drop off envelopes with monetary donations for the local nursing home and other local organizations needing our assistance. Make checks payable to St. Mary’s Church as we purchase the items they request.

FAQs



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

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

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

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

THANK YOU NOTES FROM PAST YEARS

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

"We are truly grateful. I was overwhelmed when I received the gifts. I've been out of work for a while and have no assistance, so this was a wonderful surprise. We were blessed by the kindness and thoughtfulness of others."

"I and my son wanted to thank you very much for making our Christmas a very happy one. We are both grateful for the gifts. We both spend time together playing the card games and I needed the gloves I received! The delicious food was enjoyed and the gift card was very nice. Your kindness shall always be remembered. Wishing you all a great New Year filled with joy."

"I write this letter to send the same sincere desires to all those people that have been so good and generous with all of us. There was much happiness for all my children this Christmas. I want to give thanks for all that you have given to all of us this Christmas and to tell you thanks for all the pretty gifts. May God bless you today, tomorrow, and always. Feliz Navidad and Prospero Ano."

Christmas Tree Angel
Contacts

Debbie Duke
(845) 632-3479

Carol Quaid
(845) 297-0072

Christmas Angel Tree