Taking AIN on the Road More patients, more services and, thanks to a new Clinical Pastoral Education intern, more critically important pastoral care. That's the message that Angel Interfaith Network is taking “on the road” as we reach out to far-flung supporters this summer. Palm Desert in July may not sound too appealing to you, but for Rev. Don Smith and Rev. Ann Mills it was a special treat. On the occasion of their first joint sermon, it was a delightful surprise to be welcomed to the Spirit of the Desert Presbyterian Fellowship by worshippers who included actor Ralph Waite, best known for his role in “The Waltons” television show. The actor served as liturgist for the service. As a graduate of Yale Divinity School who once served as a Presbyterian minister, it is a function he is quite comfortable performing. The two-time candidate for Congress graciously posed for a photograph with Don following dinner. In June Executive Director Don Smith was at the Mission Fair at La Verne Heights Presbyterian Church, proudly showing off our new AIN display board. Click here to see a photo. On Father's Day he preached at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church in Rolling Hills, while AIN Care Coordinator Ann Mills presented a Volunteer Appreciation award at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Valencia the following week. Click here for a photo. After a couple of days at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly in San Jose , Don joined in the celebration of the 87th Anniversary of Emmanuel Hispanic Presbyterian Church in Claremont . Over AIN's 20 year history, Emmanuel was among the first churches to offer support. In July, it was back to Claremont Presbyterian Church for a presentation to children of the Vacation Church School . Following the puppet show presented an unusual challenge for Don, but it paid off. Knitting caps for babies at L.A. County + USC Medical Center was a project the kids responded to with enthusiasm. We were especially grateful to longtime AIN volunteer Hagar Benitez for ably representing us at the annual Presbyterian Women's Gathering in July at Chapman College in Orange. That new AIN display and interpretive materials were available for inspection at the event's “Mercado” in Beckman Hall on campus. Thanks, Hagar! Coming up are sermons for Don at Village Presbyterian Church, Arcadia, First Presbyterian Church in Azusa and Westminster Gardens in Duarte . Ann's current preaching schedule includes Monte Vista Grove in Pasadena , Calvary Presbyterian in South Pasadena and Panorama Presbyterian Church in Panorama City. We love opportunities for sharing the hope you offer through AIN to needy patients and families from L.A. County + USC Healthcare Network. How about some invitations from other faith groups? Contact us at 626-799-2858 to schedule a date. Rev. Donald L. Smith Executive Director
Honoring “Mom,” Supporting AIN I don't know about your Mom, but I can tell you a few things about mine. She will show her appreciation for flowers on Mother's Day, but the truth is that some bother her allergies and she'll worry about keeping them healthy. Soon enough after Mother's Day, they'll move outside the house if they survive that long. Chocolate always elicits some enthusiasm, but it just barely outdistances the guilt. A brunch or dinner out to celebrate is appreciated, but she worries about crowded restaurants on such an occasion. Jewelry or other tokens don't make much impact these days. “I don't need more STUFF!” she exclaims to us at holiday time. Having known a few medical crises in her lifetime, my Mom believes strongly in Angel Interfaith Network and its mission to serve the urgent needs of patients and families of the L.A. County + USC Healthcare Network who have experienced setbacks due to a medical crisis. She is eager that more in her own church community and beyond know about us. Like any mother, her heart goes out for the babies. She wants to see that they get a good start in life. It's only fair. Fairness and justice are values she instilled in my brother and me from an early age. Honoring Mom with a gift to Angel Interfaith Network is so cle arly the right answer for us this Mother's Day. I suspect that there are plenty of mothers out there who are like my Mom. A gift to Angel Interfaith Network may be just the kind of tribute that would be really meaningful to your mother! We've made it easy for you with a color, downloadable Mother's Day card you can access by clicking here. Print it yourself, fill in her name and you're ready. We'll also have a limited number printed out and on hand here in the office and at some partner churches. Give us a call to request one at 626-799-2858 . Then, remember to put a check in the mail to Angel Interfaith Network, P.O. Box A, South Pasadena , CA 91031 with the name of the person you are honoring. As AIN struggles right now to find the resources to offer vital services, your gift will be especially appreciated. Your Mom and mine will both be so pleased! Rev. Donald L. Smith Executive Director Photo by Larry Smith
Graduation Day! It's hard to believe that a year has gone by since I made my application to the Executive Service Corps “New Executive Directors' Institute” and received the exciting news that I had a generous scholarship from Wells Fargo. For a recovering church bureaucrat, then less than full-time with AIN, the institute offered welcome coaching in nonprofit management and peer relationships with others in the role of Executive for less than three years. Thanks to ESC/NEDI and coach Tom Kubani, Angel Interfaith Network is now bringing a Strategic Planning process to completion that will guide our development over at least the next three years. February 8, 2008 was “graduation day” at the California Club in downtown Los Angeles . Pictured (l to r) Jeff Wilcox - ESC Instructor, Tom Kubani -ESC Consultant, Megan Cooper -ESC Executive Director, Rev. Don Smith - AIN Executive Director, Jonathan Weedman- Wells Fargo Regional Vice President,(rear) Karen Bading- AIN Board Chair, David Zuercher- Executive Vice President, Wells Fargo. Of course, the diploma is now proudly on display here in the AIN offices. My heartfelt thanks to a supportive board of directors, a patient and wise coach Tom Kubani, inspiring leadership from Executive Service Corps and the generosity of Wells Fargo. Now watch AIN soar! Rev. Donald L. Smith Executive Director
The Sage: AIN's contribution of baby items, clothing and shoes to a Monrovia family of eight was acknowledged in an article describing the struggle of the family to deal with mounting medical bills following multiple hospitalizations of the five year old daughter. Eight children in the family require a lot of care, and AIN was proud to be part of a team of organizations mobilized to offer support. The article can be found in the February, 2008 edition of "The Sage," newsletter of Catholic Charities, Los Angeles. Click here to download a pdf version of the article > Rotator: Executive Director Don Smith and AIN Board Chair Karen Bading were acknowledged at the January 29th meeting of the South Pasadena Rotary Club as recipients of a $1,000 grant for emergency shelter. Picture taken from 1/29/08 South Pasadena Rotary Club "Rotator".
EVERYDAY MIRACLES: Sunflowers & a CEO On Saturday, October 20th Gray Hall at Oneonta Congregational Church was decked out with sunflowers and balloons. A capacity crowd of friends and supporters of Angel Interfaith Network were delighted to celebrate "Everyday Miracles" made possible for patients of L.A. County + USC Medical Center. LAC + USC Network CEO Pete Delgado was proud to give guests a glimpse of a near-miracle. Gleaming new buildings with state-of-the-art care and service next year look pretty miraculous after 74 years in the landmark structure serving needy patients. Informed observers have characterized the move as nothing less than the biggest change in health care for L.A. County in 100 years. Without question, it is the biggest construction project ever undertaken by Los Angeles County. Many hands behind the scenes contributed to making “Everyday Miracles” a rousing success for AIN and the patients. Chairing the event this year was Irene Recendez, LAC + USC Chief of Nursing Services. Calvary Presbyterian choir director Mike Wilson emceed the program with infectious zest and enthusiasm. Veterans of previous AIN luncheons pitched in to produce exceptional results. They included AIN Board Chair Karen Bading and husband Jim, EJ Lugo, Arlene Creitz, Bohnie Avanzino, Andrew Kopperud, Ruth Melissa, Belinda Vidaurri, Ann and John Mills, Rev. Rex McDaniel and Andrew Feldman of Glendale College Institute of Culinary Arts. Other crucial support came from the West San Gabriel Valley YMCA, Sharon Bergh and members of Girl Scout Troop #151 and Debbie Sloat and Jill McNulty of Faith Presbyterian Church, Valley Village. Like a sunflower greeting the warm morning sun, Angel Interfaith Network looks to a more promising future for the patients and families we serve as we grow in our capacity to produce “everyday miracles.” Our thanks to all for the many and varied ways you contribute to making it happen.
Milestone for AIN & "Ruby" Longtime donors and recipients of services will recognize a certain 4-wheeled “volunteer” in service to Angel Interfaith Network since 1990. “Ruby,” the ivory-colored VW van often pressed into service by Ann Mills, passed the 200,000 mile mark in mid-July. We don't know precisely how many of those miles were logged on behalf of AIN, but you can be sure that it makes up a large percentage of them. Ruby has been a big help as AIN has carved out a reputation as one of the very few L.A. organizations that makes deliveries of supplies to the needy in their homes. Ann's family named her Ruby long ago after an artistically-inclined elephant who died in childbirth. She has heroically transported cribs, beds, baby baskets and clothing to LAC +USC patients and families throughout the greater Los Angeles area for these past 17 years without complaint. In August she had her air conditioning checked out in time for another trek out to Azusa and Claremont in 100 degree heat to retrieve a fresh supply of infant care items. “Ruby” is pictured here loading up for Thanksgiving meal deliveries in the parking lot of Bel Air Presbyterian Church in the late 90s. Mil gracias , Ruby, for miles and miles of dedicated service!
Faith Communities Speak on Health Care in Los Angeles As part of our mission to educate our community on healthcare and health concerns, here's a link to a Theological Statement on Health Care from the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders Health Care Task Force. The statement was produced by a Task Force appointed by judicatory heads of the major Christian and Jewish faith communities in L.A. and is the product of three years of research and discussion. One of the calls to action in the report is to “create programs through which volunteers provide transportation and other forms of support for persons who face barriers in accessing the health services they need,” something Angel Interfaith Network has been doing for almost two decades. Learn more about the thinking of the task force by reading their report. Check out other resources from the faith community at the "Faithful Reform in Health Care" website.	Sleepers, baby "no scratch" mittens, baby socks/booties, baby bottles and towels, and bassinets
Kid-Power Propels AIN Services It's no secret that the women of churches and temples contribute mightily to the goods Angel Interfaith Network provides to patients of LAC + USC Medical Center . What has been especially encouraging in recent months has been the strong contribution made by some youthful angels learning about service in the community. Students of Sharon Bergh's service learning class at Franklin High School ( Los Angeles ) contributed a total of 37 handmade blankets before their summer vacation break. Franklin student Larry Jackson wrote us to say “I made 3 blankets for the babies born at the county hospital. It was fun to make the blankets for the babies. P.S. Everyone in Mrs. Bergh's class likes to make blankets for them.” They join students closer to us in South Pasadena from South Pasadena Yarn Network (SPYNET) who contribute knit items to us regularly through Kristen Dube. Boy Scout motto “Be prepared” inspired the offer of aspiring Eagle Scout Matt Starling to secure our AIN storage room with shelves bolted to the walls. Now we're ready for the next earthquake! Fellow scouts from Troop 139 meeting at South Pasadena United Methodist Church and some South Pasadena High wrestling teammates spent Memorial Day weekend and beyond on the project and did some repair to our Alhambra “Eagle Storage Shed” as well. Matt is pictured here with Rev. Rex McDaniel of Calvary Presbyterian stabilizing a storage shelf. Recommended Reading for Young Teens "Gracie's Girl" by Ellen Wittlinger, Aladdin paperbacks (Simon & Schuster) (c) 2000 Not to be outdone, the Girl Scouts and Brownies have also made impressive recent contributions. The annual Father-Daughter dance for Troop #653 in El Segundo collected nearly $4,000 worth of baby supplies as their price of admission to the event. Brownies from Troop # 505 in Valley Village teamed up with women from Faith Presbyterian Church to host a Mother's Day Luncheon and Baby Shower at the church with items donated to AIN. Taylor Campbell from Girl Scout Troop #480 made a visit to LAC + USC Medical Center with others from her troop, learning about needs of patients in preparation for a Bronze Star Award project. Finally, Margaret Von Bibra just delivered 22 quilts she created for newborns in the hospital as her Gold Star award project. See our “Support Activities” page for more photos. Youthful energy and creativity like this will sustain AIN services to patients of LAC + USC Medical Center for years to come. Kids, you are the “wind beneath our wings!”