Every year a group of creative, generous, and hardworking women come together to plan our Children's Charity Ball. From September through February, they are busy attending to every detail of the event and ensuring an exceptional experience for our guests. Judging from the multitude of smiles seen throughout the night, they do an outstanding job!
This year they are extending the smiles beyond the Ball and are touching the clients in our Counseling Centers in very meaningful ways. When Mary Carangelo, a Ball committee member, won the Treat of the Month silent auction package, she suggested that rather than receiving treats for herself, committee members could provide special gift packages for children, adults, and families who are in counseling at the Bridge. True to their compassionate and caring nature, the committee thought it was a wonderful idea, and the Angel of the Month initiative was born.
Each month, a committee member donates a gift package to someone who has been selected by our therapists. To protect privacy, client names are not given but therapists do provide suggestions for what might brighten a client's day. Packages have included gift certificates to area restaurants so a family could enjoy a dinner out together, a movie-themed basket for a mom and her young son that gave them much-needed bonding time, and a self-care basket with candles, oils, and homemade scones for a middle-aged woman who was going through a challenging time.
Recipients of the gifts have been surprised and so grateful. While they appreciate the material gift, each one has expressed how touched they were that a complete stranger cared about them and wanted to help in such a thoughtful way.
We extend a very special thank you to Mary and all our Ball committee members for the many ways they support the children and families we serve.