Dear friends, in the middle of preparing for back-to-school well wishes and updates, we are instead writing a few words about the tragedy that has unfolded in Texas and Louisiana. Hurricane Harvey has left so much devastation, caused so much damage, displaced so many. But through this we have seen many people come to aid and rescue, donating their own resources, sharing of their time and gifts, doing what American know how to do best- come to the rescue.  If you’ve been looking for ways to help, please accept these few ideas.

1. The Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (CDRG)

2. The Salvation Army

3. The American Red Cross or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

4. In your local communities: Churches, blood banks, and food banks all need your help and are instrumental in channeling resources to where they are needed.

5. In Central Texas:

A school supply drive is being organized by Harper-Talasek Funeral Home to benefit the KIPP: Houston Public Schools . Contact Sabrina Young at 254-773-4564 for more information. (We’ll continue to add to supply drive information as we hear about them. Feel free to let us know if you know of any so that we may post.)

Baylor Scott and & White Health Faith in Action Initiative is accepting donations at several locations. Click on link for items needed.

Many times prayer, a good talk, a good cry on the shoulder will be more than enough. Our hearts and prayers are will all of you! We pray you find yourself safe and surrounded by support and love.

Dear friends, Angel’s Buddies is in it’s 3rd year! And we must say, we started off the school year in an awesome way! You might remember that we had an amazing book drive this summer, hosted by our dear friend Suzanne Mosley with Usborne Books (read more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/497816570419833/).

Well, through that awesome opportunity, you bought books and contributed enough funds to send books to all of our buddies! Speaking of our buddies- we received the most amazing “thank you” picture. Did you see!? They received their backpacks and their books!

Thank you for your support as we continue in this effort to encourage kids in low income communities. We don’t know what the long-term results will be, but we do know that if we can help bring a smile and encouragement to them now, then that is worth the effort! I hope you agree!! Thank you!!

The idea to raise funds through the sale of hand-made/drawn items and greeting cards featuring my photos, started off mostly as a little dream. I don’t have any design or photography experience or training, but I do LOVE taking pictures and I LOVE beautifully designed stationary. I will go gaga over a pretty journal and do heart cart-wheels when I come across a sweet set of lovely cards. I can’t contain myself. I can’t. And so after a small dive into postcard design, I thought greeting cards would be a nice addition, a fun challenge. That challenge has led to other dreams…oh boy! But what are dreams without a chance to make them come true, right!!??? So in this slow, amateur, but heart-felt road to bigger dreams, I want to thank you for taking a peek at our items and for giving our items a chance, for braving making a donation to our cause with the purchase of one of our “dream” items. Our current items are displayed in our Dearly Loved Greetings section. But yes, there is more to come! Hope you will find something you like, something sweet to do cart-wheels over, or to heartedly gift! Please visit often!

Thank you, in advance for your support!  Your support encourages us greatly!

May joy and peace be with you this Christmas and through 2016!

With love,

Your friends at Angel’s Buddies🌟

Today we are grateful for our supporters, but mostly for the people who inspire our efforts. In the forefront, our brother, for whom this charity was formed. He gave us a peek at what struggle looked like, yet made it look easy by continuing to dream. We are grateful for the spirit of giving and compassion we saw in the people who encouraged him and believed in his dreams.  We keep going, celebrating all things good, hoping to share what we gained from loving him.  We stand believing in the greatness of every child’s potential and the goodness of a simple word of encouragement!

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!!!

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3 NIV

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV

We got a great picture of our friends sending us some love, sporting their new backpacks today! We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to connect in this way! We know that the need is big, bigger than we could ever wrap our minds around, but little-by-little, bit-by-bit, one child at a time, we strive forward knowing that we can all make a difference.

As we have been encouraged by this image, we’d like to encourage you to reach out to your little students at home, or in the classroom, and let them know what a GREAT JOB they are doing. For our readers and supporters, THANK YOU for your interest in our efforts to spread encouragement to kids in low-income areas. Lastly, to our teachers: YES! You are doing a great job, EVERYDAY!

Let’s encourage!

Our students are off to another year of learning and growing! We are sending out our best to every student, their families and their teachers.  In so doing, we cannot ignore that many are taking stake in the awesomeness that happens every day.  So as we focus on our children and attempt to polish their gifts and talents, may all of you find encouragement and fulfillment in this grander than grand, day in, day out effort.  May you look forward to the memories that will be made and milestones that will be reached.  May you remain hopeful in that every step is a step taken forward, that every challenge presents only to be conquered, that achievements are the result of hard work and a little-by-little approach. Our children need us to be present, but mostly to encourage them.  Let’s be the ones to tell them that they can, that they are able. Let’s tell them that what they learn today is theirs forever, that what they learn today cannot be taken away, that it is theirs to keep to turn into an interest, a polished gift, or a dream come true! Have a great year, dear friends!!

Let’s encourage!

Dear friends, back-to-school in this part of Texas is less than a week away! I realize we are a little behind this year, many great events have passed, but we are hoping we can still help you catch some back-to-school assistance. Even if you are all set, please forward this post to your family and friends!

San Antonio, TX

Saturday, August 22, South San Antonio High School Gymnasium, 7535 Barlite Blvd, 78224, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
State Representative Rick Galindo’s Back to School Event: free immunizations, school supplies, health screenings, and more will be available.*

Sunday, August 23, Taft High School Gymnasium, 11600 W FM 471, 78253, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
State Representative Rick Galindo’s Back to School Event: Free immunizations, school supplies, health screenings, and more will be available.*

*Information from San Antonio Mom Blogs, recommend subscribing to their newsletter especially if you are fond of FREE and FUN stuff.

El Paso, TX

Teachers, if you know of any children in need of uniforms, this is a program just for that cause. Operation School Bell provides a new school uniform package for elementary school children in need. Recommendations required by school counselor only.  Must be enrolled in public school in El Paso County, in 1st – 5th, ages 6-11 years old.

By Zip Code

Angel’s Buddies: that’s us!

We are doing things a little different this year- did I mention we are a little behind? We are continuing our participation at  Hart Elementary, and have 10 more backpacks available to send out. If you know of someone who might want a little bag and some encouragement, let us know. Child must be in grades 1st-5th and must attend school in the following areas:

Texas

• El Paso, TX  79901, 79905, 79907, 79915
• San Antonio, TX  78202, 78207, 78237, 78211
• Roma, TX  78584
• Chorpus Christi, TX  78405, 78416
• San Juan, TX  78589
• Mercedes, TX  78570
• Laredo, TX  78040
• Fort Worth, TX  76105, 76104
• Pharr, TX 78577
• Rio Grande City, TX  78582
• Lubbock, TX  79403
• Houston, TX  77026, 77051
• Eagle Pass, TX  78852
• Dallas, TX  75203, 75212
• Lubbock, TX  79415
• Austin, TX  78702
• Waco, TX  76707

Tennessee

• Nashville, TN 37208

Please e-mail nominations to info@angelsbuddies.com by August 26th, 2015. We’d love for our backpacks to reach students by September 2, 2015.

That’s it for now. Looking forward to hearing from you! And for all who have started school already, have a great year!!!

Let’s encourage!

Dear friends, we are getting ready for back-to-school! Yes, we are!! In preparation for that, we want to remind you that Tax Free Weekend in Texas is coming up on August 7-9, 2015. For all other participating states and dates check here.

Now that we got you thinking about shopping, we’d like to remind you of one of our favorite organizations: DonorsChoose.org.  Classrooms are going to be full again soon; teachers are getting ready. So if you’d like to see how you can help teachers, please check this site out. You can browse through needs and projects and donate as you are able.

Best happy share this time around is that we came upon this great company with a great mission! Gramr Gratitude Co. crafts beautiful stationary, sent directly to you by subscription. We love that “they believe in gratitude” and have started a company to spread that belief beautifully, continually. Take a look and give them a try!

So here you go, some pretty neat things to think about: tax break, helping classrooms, sending some love to your loved ones. Happy Wednesday!!! Let’s encourage!

P.S.-  We will be back soon with some Angel’s Buddies news. We have been working on expanding our charity and come mid-August, we will hopefully be able to share where we are with that. In the meantime, please keep us in mind if you’d like to sponsor a child for the 2015-2016 school year and/or if you’d like to donate school supplies to our cause. Thank you!!!

Our kids have completed the 2014-2015 school year!!! They worked hard and conquered, and they did it with your help!  This was a collective effort here, friends! Kids, parents, teachers, families, enjoy your summer break! Enjoy lazy days, hot days at the pool, picnicking, eating watermelon and watching your kids run wild.  Explore new parks or visit your local libraries to catch a summer read. The summer is full of opportunities for adventure and memories! Start off by taking in all that you have accomplished, give yourselves a good pat on the back, know that you’ve done a GREAT job! Tell each other that…as many times as you can! Let’s encourage!

To our Angel’s Buddies supporters and volunteers! We definitely did this together!!! Thank you!!!