Angels Foster Family Network December Newsletter

Angels Foster Family Network

When the bough breaks... Our wings are their cradle

December 2011 Newsletter

In This Issue

Special Holiday Thanks

Thank You Corner

Calendar Of Events

December

Foster Parent Orientation on Wednesday, Dec. 7. For more information, please call 619-283-8100 ext 237.

Click here to inquire.

Angels Office closed Dec. 23-26 and Jan. 2.

January

Foster Parent Orientation on Wednesday, Jan. 4. For more information, please call 619-283-8100 ext 237.

Click here to inquire.

Make an Online Donation

Angels relies on donations to help abused and neglected babies.
Help a child today.

newsletter header

Give a warm glow to everyone on your list with the gift of a lifetime. Contribute to Angels Foster Family Network on behalf of all your loved ones with a donation in their names.

Making your year-end tax-deductible donation will transform the life of a child by providing them a loving family.

We'll express the true meaning of the season with a customized certificate for every person on your list.

Rescue a life. Heal a child.

Give now.

Since Angels was founded we have rescued 488
babies from abuse and neglect.
Thank you to the families who have changed the lives of our babies this year.

A letter from our Founder and CEO

Dear Friends,

As we joyfully anticipate the holidays and come together to celebrate, we are reminded at Angels that the greatest gift of all is the gift of a loving family!

The Angels Family gathered last weekend to share our 12th holiday party; a party that originally started in my home with three families who had just become certified and baby Jeremy, our first Angel. Since that time, Jeremy and his family haven't missed an Angels holiday party. Each year the festivities grow, and Saturday we welcomed almost 300 guests to enjoy a visit from Santa, lunch and our traditional cookie exchange.

Once again, we thank the members of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Poway who provide the most amazing toys for every child who celebrates with us. We thank the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club for providing such a lovely venue and delicious festive food!

On behalf of the Angels Board, our staff, all our babies, families and myself, we want to wish you the happiest of holidays! May you cherish the gift of family, the most precious gift we can give and receive!

Holiday Cheers!

Cathy Richman

Ask Dr. Mama

Dr. Mama is better known as Rachel Zahn, MD, a pediatrician and mom of three grown kids. She is also the Angels Assistant Director. For more parenting advice check out her website MamasOnCall.com.

Dear Dr. Mama,

Our newborn baby girl is 2 weeks old and we've been careful to always put her down on her back to sleep during the day and at night. I know all about how important it is for babies to sleep on their backs to prevent SIDS.

I recently learned that a nephew who's 3 ½ months old had to be fitted for a reshaping helmet because one side of his head was flattened from lying on his back all the time and now I'm worried that the same thing will happen to my daughter. How big a danger is it and how can I prevent it? Is avoiding a small risk of SIDS worth risking damage to our little girl's head?

~Scared in Scripps Ranch

Read the answer here

Read previous Dr. Mama questions or e-mail Rachel a question.

Spotlight on TWINS!

Three sets of baby twins sparkled at our Angels holiday party this weekend!

Nicholas and Naomi spent a week at the Polinsky Children's Center after just one month of life. Learn what happened after Angel's got the call...

Aaron and Annalisa were living on the streets when they came into care at a year old. You'd never never know it now...

Trey and Jamal, identical twin boys, came to us at four months after trouble at home. Their birth parents and foster parents are working together to reunite this family before the new year...

Click here to read their stories

Looking for a Secret Santa??

Try something new with your co-workers and friends this holiday season. Instead of gift exchanges and white elephants, why not bring everyone together for an Angels baby shower?
Our babies need supplies!
If you'd like ideas, you can choose from the following fun categories:

Bibs, Burp Blankets and Binkies
Baby Bath Time Supplies (including towels)
Onesies
Diapers 'n Wipes (Sizes P,1,3,5)
Formula (Enfamil Yellow)

Thank you from all our little elves. Contact lhogg@angelsfoster.org for more information.

Adoption Month Congrats

adoptions

Last month we had SIX adoptions! November is National Adoption Month and we are so happy for these amazing Angels family who get to spend this holiday season as forever families!

Congratulations to:

JaNahn and Steve on the adoption of Kylee on Nov. 30
Karen and June on the adoptions of Oliver AND Cooper on Nov. 18
Amanda and Brandon on the adoption of Ben on Nov. 18
Tracy and Michael on the adoption of Sterlyn on Nov. 23
Sosha and Diane on the adoption of Ania on Nov. 8

Did You Know?

Angels is presenting our successful model of foster care for infants and toddlers this week at the Zero to Three annual meeting! This is an incredible opportunity to share our program with a national audience. We anticipate lots of interest from those in communities with a great need for change. Angels is the only foster family agency focusing on the unique needs of the youngest victims of abuse and neglect. Click here to learn more about Zero to Three and follow us on facebook to get the latest updates from Washington, DC.

Special Holiday Thanks!

St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Poway once again went above and beyond to provide incredible gifts for all of our kids at our annual holiday party. Special thanks to Helena for organizing everything so wonderfully. Our kids faces as they opened their gifts were priceless. Also, thank you to Amy Smpson, Angels Board Member, for coordinating the use of the beautiful Lomas Santa Fe Country Club for the party. Thank You to all who contributed to make it such a spectacular day!
girl scouts 2

Thanks to Girls Scout Troop 1218! The girls of Troop 1218 went on a shopping spree for our babies. They each filled a bag with all it takes to get one of our babies through the first few days with their foster family. What a great way to spread holiday cheer!

Thank You Corner

Angels is very grateful for the donations we receive every month. Without the generosity of our friends we wouldn't be able to save innocent babies and toddlers in need. We would like to thank our November donors! Click here to see all our generous donors from November!

Angels Video

To learn more about Angels, please watch this video.

Call 619-283-8100 or contact us on-line at www.angelsfoster.org to learn how you can make a donation or become a foster parent.

Angels only places babies in San Diego County, California.