say that the grandmother and granddaughter that started it all are doing very well at this time.
Our first major project was to help a young couple in the process of building their dream
home when a catastrophic illness stopped their dream in its tracks. We helped organize a
group of skilled and un-skilled volunteers to continue the work. The story was picked
up by the producer of the Donnie & Marie show for a Make a Difference Day segment
which attracted attention all over the US to Molly's Angels.
Then came the tragedy of a women whose family was victimized by her estranged husband
who shot and killed their daughter. The woman was wounded and required several
operations. She was distraught and homeless. Molly's Angels was able to procure a small
mobile home for her and renovate it through fund-raisers and donations. This year we
found her a larger mobile home that was donated by the Flood Control Project and today
she is back working and raising her grandchild.
Then came the earthquake on Sept. 20, 2000 which really was an earth shattering event
for a 5yr. old boy who was buried under 300 pounds of brick from a fireplace. Molly's
Angels raised over $50,000 so his family could spend time at the hospital during his
recovery and not have to worry about money. The young boy eventually recovered and
is doing nicely.
The next project concerned a teenage boy with cerebral palsy who was so severely burned
in a mobile home fire that his right arm had to be amputated. We helped the family replace
their loss of home with donations and help from many people. Again, a mobile home was
donated by the Flood Control Project and lovely furniture was donated by the residents
where the family lives.
Then, just before the year ended, a wonderful thing happened to Molly's Angels. Going into
retirement, Betty Hagedorn, owner of the Christmas Tree Farm on Solano Avenue offered
us the possibility of selling all of the Christmas trees on her two acres. Then the Spanos Group
from Stockton, who obtained all ten acres on which to build apartments, gave us all of the
trees on that property to sell. Carol and Jon Bueno volunteered to sell all the trees for us every
weekend. Other volunteers provided coffee and goodies to all who came. They raised over
$30,000 for Molly's Angels!
After Betty moved from the tree farm, her lovely little red house which was now on the
Spanos Group property was empty. It just so happened that Molly's Angels was trying to
help a family by finding a home where stairs were not a problem. The Spanos Group
agreed to let us have the house for them to stay in until we got a mobile home ready for
them. What a fantastic company! With the help of volunteers, including Walt
Kirby from the Veterans Home, we moved the family into the house. They are still
waiting for the move to a new site, but thanks to George Altamura, we have a temporary
space in his mobile home park until the engineers have the new site ready.
Then Molly's Angels learned of a family of four who were in a dire situation. They were
living in a small travel trailer and the father was very ill after undergoing a liver
transplant. The Angels were able to pay for the family's health insurance since they were
unable to do so themselves. The travel trailer was really inadequate for this family of four
but it seemed there was nothing that could be done about it. Then, just as it seemed they
would have to move out of Napa because there was no place they could afford to live, their
misfortune turned into a small miracle. A local woman passed away and her daughter
donated her mother's old single wide mobile home to Molly's Angels! With help from the
Gasser Foundation the Angels were able to afford to move the old home and have a newer
double wide moved into its space. The family is now very happily settled, and the father's
health has improved. Don't ever try to convince Molly's Angels that miracles don't happen.
Shortly thereafter, Molly began to feel she was in the mobile home business. She was able to
obtain six more mobile homes to help people have a home who will probably never be able
to afford to buy a house. The Angels sincerely appreciate the City of Napa and the Flood
Control Project for making this happen. We are truly blessed to be living in such a giving
community.
It was brought to our attention in early 2000 about a 14 yr. old girl with a brain tumor. The
family was told there was nothing more that could be done. They heard of a Dr. Burzynski
who runs a clinic in Texas which has had a huge amount of success in treating Astrocytoma
brain tumors, which is the type of tumor she has. She had already undergone 2 major surgeries,
external radiation treatment, radioactive seed implants and four different chemotherapy
treatments which unfortunately left her in a wheelchair and with some brain damage. But this
was her last chance for life. We did a fundraiser for her and raised quite a bit of money to help
with medical bills and other expenses. We also had four members who took turns staying with
Danielle so that her parents could go to their two sons various baseball and football games. A
beautiful bond was created between this lovely family and Molly's Angels. We are happy to
report that Danielle graduated from High School this past June of 2005.
Another touching story which happened in late 2001 was that of an 11-1/2 year old boy
dying of cancer. We were able to help his family with finances and support, but one thing
we were able to do which gave us more joy than anything else that could be done, was to
give this little boy his last wish He wanted to see the movie, Harry Potter. Thanks to
Piner's Ambulance Service and Cinedome Theater we took the boy by ambulance to see
the film at a private showing at no charge. He really seemed to enjoy it. This beautiful
young boy is now in heaven.
In February 2003, we started our own TV show on our local Channel 28. We have as
guests, many of the people we, through your generosity, have been able to help, plus people
who have helped us. Remember, Molly's Angels could never accomplish what we have
without all of your wonderful support, whether it be one dollar a month or thousands of
dollars from businesses and corporations. Every dollar makes something happen. And
we must never forget our wonderful volunteers (the "Angels") who, without their
undying support, the needed money would be diminished. Later in the year, ABC
Television saluted Molly's Angels for doing so much for our community. We hope that
this will give other communities some ideas about starting their own "Angel Group".
In 2002 a young man named Daniel Hemenez had a devestating accident while on his way to
work and was left paralyzed from the neck down. We did a fundraiser at our restaurant and
raised over $55,000 to help retrofit his home and purchase a specially equipped van for this
wonderful man. He is so loved by this caring community that this was the largest amount we
have raised for anyone.
In the summer of 2003, we were contacted by a grandmother whose 12 year old grandson
had been diagnosed with and inoperable brain tumor. In our news updates, we seldom
ever use individual names, but in this case, because this young man is so special, we are
making an exception. Jordan was granted what was believed to be his last wish by The
Make A Wish Foundation. His wish was so extraordinary because it wasn't for himself
or anyone else that he personally knew. His wish was for all the homeless and needy
children in Napa. He wanted to give them all toys and clothes. This amazing wish
was published in the Napa Register and touched many hearts. So much so that he was
given a party at Connely Ranch and Molly's Angels was there to help. Several local
businesses also donated toys and clothes for Jordan to give to these children. Jordan
himself was given the "Key To The City" by Mayor Henderson.
Afterwards, Molly and her Angels decided they had to help Jordan and his family who
had so little themselves. The family had heard there was a Dr. Almefty in Little Rock,
Arkansas who might be able to save Jordan's life. Molly arranged for a dinner at the
Napa River Inn where Jordan's father works and "Celedon" and "Cole's Chop House"
did a wonderful dinner free of charge. We raised $10,000 that night plus checks came
in from all over for Jordan once the story got into the San Francisco Chronicle.
Jordan and his family were able to go to Little Rock. American Airlines thanks to
Tommy Hopkins, a local flight attendant provided the transportation free. Also thanks
to Dorothy Lind and her connections the family were given a free room at the five star
Peabody Hotel where the staff adopted this amazing child. He had over 12 major
surgeries, but we are happy to report that he is now cancer free and back in school.
During the year we had several special events that helped many people in our community.
Several young men with serious medical problems received aid. One of these, was a 24 year
old father diagnosed with acute leukemia. We were able to raise enough money for him to
receive special trial injections. He is cancer free and doing will at this time.
The weekend before Thanksgiving, the Angels had another fund raiser for an eight year
old boy with Duchene's Type Muscular Dystrophy. This child is one of six children. The
purpose of the fund raiser was to help the family obtain a wheelchair accessible vehicle with
a lift. Molly's Angels handed out fliers outside WalMart and asked people to donate $1.00,
collecting $1,600! It is so amazing what just $1.00 will do! People are so caring and
generous in our community in their support of Molly's Angels.
Every Christmas, we help many families in need, but often our low income Seniors are
forgotten. Molly's Angels has a special place in their hearts for these people. In 2002 we
took 100 Seniors and 200 children on the Napa Valley Wine Train for a special Christmas
treat. We set up an Adopt-A-Grandparent program. For every Senior that is sponsored, two
children were able to ride free. At the end of the trip, everyone received a gift and the
Seniors were given a food box for Christmas. In December of 2003, we held a party for
300 Seniors at the Senior Citizens Center in Napa. They enjoyed a traditional Christmas
dinner with all the trimmings, and each person received a gift and had their picture taken
with Santa. There was also entertainment by local dance and vocal groups. This year we
will again have a party for the Seniors at the Senior Center. This party is free to 300 Seniors
who wish to join us. This year the food will be catered by Sharon McDonald of Mrs.
McDonald's Restaurant. They will again receive a gift and have their pictures taken
with Santa.
Our non-profit group continues to help countless people who need assistance paying utilities,
funeral expenses, food, clothing, etc. Our goal this year was to get more people to donate
$12.00 a year, so if you haven't yet joined Molly's Angels, please consider sending your
$12.00 (of course we would gladly accept more) and become a member. You can be as active or
non-active in our group as you wish. All donations are greatly appreciated.
