Fall is creeping up on us, and it is a season when we at Angel Interfaith Network begin to reflect on "milestones" in our development. You can read about one of them in the article below. Another one will be our sixth annual benefit luncheon, "Everyday Miracles," being held at Oneonta Congregational Church in South Pasadena on Saturday, October 20th. Milestones show us that each day we grow in our capacity to serve the neediest patients of L.A. County + USC Medical Center and their families through charitable assistance and pastoral care.
There are other milestones that may not be as apparent. An important one is the growth of our online community of support through this E- Newsletter and the "Sustaining Angel" program. Who else needs to know about AIN? Have you noticed that you can easily forward a copy of this newsletter with the button at the bottom of the page? Consider regular contributions to AIN in any amount through our "Sustaining Angel" program. Click here for details. Our milestones are accomplished through individual efforts by each one of you. AIN and the patients we serve are so very grateful for miracles you make possible each and every day.
Rev. Donald L. Smith, Executive Director
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.
Overcoming Injury, Isolation & Insecurity
 A Korean-speaking social worker from LAC + USC hospital called AIN with an unusual and compelling request for help. The patient was a 60 year-old Korean woman who had suffered an assault by another resident of the board and care home where she lived. When the woman was struck in the face with a video cassette, it resulted in severe damage to one eye. She had lost touch with her son, and was alone and insecure about her future living situation.
AIN connected the social worker to Chaplain Donna Cho from the LAC + USC Department of Pastoral Care for additional spiritual support. Through Donna's connections to Young Nak Presbyterian Church, a donor made a gift for surgery to replace the woman's damaged eye with a prosthetic eye. Angel Interfaith Network was privileged to be the vehicle through which the donor chose to make her gift and show the woman that she had a community that cared about her. AIN will be paying for a new pair of glasses for the woman from program funds. Along with Chaplain Donna Cho, AIN will be a friend and resource as the woman seeks to deal with finding a living situation in which she can again feel safe.
It is a privilege for us at AIN to work to overcome barriers and isolation faced by the diverse immigrant population of Los Angeles . Support from you in our network makes healing and hope possible every day. Check the “Become an Angel” section of our website for a variety of ways in which you can make miracles happen for our patients and their families.
Everyday Miracles
Please join us for our Annual Benefit luncheon. We are honored to have Pete Delgado, Chief Executive Officer of LAC + USC Medical Center, as a featured presenter at the luncheon. He will be presenting a brief video introducing the new hospital buildings. |
