Just the first half of the shipment from L.A. Diaper Drive last week was a total of nearly 17,000 diapers! Then came Girl Scout Troop #480 with a dozen decorated baskets of items especially designed to appeal to youngsters in the care of L.A. County + USC Medical Center. Next came the first of anticipated monthly deliveries of baby supplies resulting from "Lil Angel Sunday" at Oneonta Congregational Church here in South Pasadena. Can Mother's Day be far behind?
Mother's Day is the other red-letter day on the Angel Interfaith Network calendar. The outpouring of generosity leaves our shelves well stocked with wonderful donations that keep us busy sorting, counting and entering data. We're hoping this year to have a similar impact on our dwindling financial resources. One opportunity described below may line up quite nicely with your needs at this time. We hope so!
Meanwhile, be sure to check out the new look on our AIN website by clicking here.
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
Will Bobby Walk Again?
 Assistant Network Coordinator Raquel Salinas reports that six year-old Bobby suffers from seizures and entered L.A. County + USC Medical Center Women's and Children's Hospital two months ago for emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. Since the surgery, his mother has had to quit her job to be at her son's bedside. Even though Dad is still working, that poses a financial hardship for a family with four other children, ages 12, 11, 3 and a one year-old. Up to now, AIN has assisted the family with food vouchers and clothing for the children.
Now some good news for Bobby also means that his mother will need additional assistance for transportation. He is now eligible for rehabilitation and will be transferred to Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey. He cannot talk or walk yet, but he is able to move his hands and eat when fed. His mother intends to be there to support her son's rehabilitation, but the daily bus ride from East Los Angeles to Downey will be expensive for the family. A neighbor kindly helps watch the other children in the family while the father works and while Mom has tended to Bobby in the hospital. AIN is now supplying bus passes to cover the first couple of weeks of daily trips.
It is a privilege for us at AIN to support this family in providing crucial emotional support to a six year-old facing the big challenge of rehabilitation. We'll be keeping Bobby and his family in our prayers and hope that you will too.
Uninsured Children - A National Concern
The Children's Defense Fund calls to our attention that one child is born every 47 seconds without health insurance. A goal of the CDF Healthy Child Campaign is to urge Congress to act to achieve coverage for the 9 million uninsured children in the United States.
In February and March two children died from untreated toothaches and abscesses that should have been easily and inexpensively treatable. A third child died from kidney cancer after being denied treatment for four months, according to Marian Wright Edelman on the CDF website.
Click here for an update on the mounting number of uninsured children since the opening of the 110th Congress in January and for information on how you can support the CDF Healthy Child Campaign.
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