Angels  
December 2012 Newsletter
In This Issue
Holiday Giving
Dr. Mama is New ED
Diary of a Foster Mom
Ask Dr. Mama
Adoption Congrats!
Join Angels this Holiday Season
Did You Know?
Thank You Corner
Calendar Of Events  

January
 

Foster Parent Orientation, January 7. For more information, please call 619-283-8100 ext 229.
Click here to inquire.

  

February
Foster Parent Orientation, February 4. For more information, please call 619-283-8100 ext 229 . Click here to inquire. 

March
Foster Parent Orientation, March 4. For more information, please call 619-283-8100 ext 229 . Click here to inquire. 



This Month on Facebook

 

November 1:  5 more babies safe and sound in the last 5 days ...

1 newborn left behind
1 infant with signs of ongoing injuries
2 twins exposed to drugs and violence
1 toddler neglected due to mental illness

Where might they be without our extraordinary families? It hurts to think about the alternative ...  

 

 

Make an Online Donation

The holidays are a magical season for children.
Our little ones dream with eager anticipation.
The babies we serve await the
transforming love of their Angels family.


You can be the Magic. Give now.
 

A letter from Cathy

 

Dear Angels families and supporters:

 

As we enter into this festive time of the year, the Angels staff is on high alert to find homes for every child in need so that all foster babies will have loving families to embrace them in this season of joy.   

 

Days before our family holiday party, I am reminded of the very first one, held in my living room with our first two placements.  This weekend our party will include over 200 guests, with many of our oldest Angels returning to celebrate with us, as they have for the past 14 years. 

 

Since that beginning 14 years ago I have filled my heart and my life with the day to day management of Angels. With the help of our wonderful donors and supporters, our "baby" has grown by leaps and bounds. It's now time for me to step into a new role.

I will continue to help guide us into the exciting future, while reserving a little more time to spend with my grandbabies.  

 

Rachel Zahn, Angels Associate Director and our own Dr. Mama, will take the reins of day-to-day management as our new Executive Director. We are very excited about this transition and know that you will continue to cheer us on as we grow, thrive and rescue many more innocent lives.   

 

I would like to share with you my favorite Christmas image for all of our little ones:  

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads.

 

Wishing you happy holidays filled with the joy of laughter for all our children.

 

With love,  

Cathy

 

  

 

Dr. Mama is Our New Executive Director!

We are pleased to announce that Rachel Zahn, MD, Angels Associate Director has been named our new Executive Director effective January 1, 2013.  Rachel (aka Dr. Mama) served on the Angels Board for three years and joined the staff as Associate Director in 2010.  With a wealth of experience in child health and development after many years as a practicing pediatrician, Rachel will lead Angels with a unique understanding of our mission and vision for the future.

"Rachel is deeply dedicated to Angels and has goals to serve more babies than ever before.  I can't think of a more highly qualified individual to take over as Angels new Executive Director"
--Cathy Richman, Angels founder and current Director.

 

Diary of a Foster Mom: How Do I Do This? 

   

Who is this sweet sweet Little Man I am holding? He is so tiny and such a boy! All these memories of Baby Girl are flooding my mind and I am trying to fight it by staring at Little Man.  I don't feel the same way as I did about her. Not to mention how do I take care of a two day old? Why isn't he drinking all of his measly two ounces? His diaper isn't wet enough I don't think...  Continue Reading 

 

Ask Dr. Mama
  
Rachel webDr. Mama is better known as Rachel Zahn, MD, a pediatrician and mom of three grown kids. She is also the Angels Associate Director. She is always available to our foster parents for support and answers to any health questions you might have. For more parenting advice check out her website MamasOnCall.com. 

 

Dear Dr. Mama,

 

We had the most frightening thing happen last night! Our little one is three, and he woke up at 2 a.m. with an awful cough that sounded just like a barking dog losing its voice. In between coughs he seemed to have a hard time catching his breath and we were really worried. I've heard you say to always trust your "mommy gut" and mine was screaming. I called the on-call triage nurse, who could hear him in the background, and she said it sounded like croup but suggested we head to the ER at Children's just to be safe.

 

By the time we got there he was a bit better, but still had that scary cough. The doctors gave him a breathing treatment and some Tylenol and warned us that it might seem worse again tonight. What is croup, and how can we a) prevent it and b) handle it without getting scared to death?

 

Spooked in Scripps Ranch


 

Read the answer here 

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

Adoption Congrats
 
  Congratulations to

Jamie and Kim  on the adoption of James and Aubrey
on November 16th, 2012.


and


The Leighton Family on the adoption of their two newest additions on November 16th, 2012.


Join Forces with Angels this Holiday Season

There are many ways you can support Angels this holiday season:
  • Turn your holiday party into a Baby Item Drive- lose the white elephants for a good cause- or ask for a small donation from your guests. 
  • Give the perfect gift to everyone on your list- make a tax deductible donation in honor of friends and family and transform the life of a child.  
  • Attend the "Winter Wine Dinner", hosted by Olivetto Ristorante & Wine Bar in Mission Hills, where a % of proceeds are going to benefit Angels on Dec. 9. See the menu here.  
  • Host a dinner or fundraiser at your restaurant, gym or retail store like the ones above.

Did You Know?  


Karen Campbell has joined Angels as our new Family Outreach Coordinator. She will be going the extra mile to find extraordinary families to love and care for our little ones. Please contact her if you or your group would like to learn more about Angels.

Originally from Los Angeles, Karen came to San Diego to attend SDSU and stayed. Besides enjoying time with her husband of ten years and five year old twin boys, she loves taking Zumba classes!  

"I am thrilled to be part of the Angels team as the Family Outreach Coordinator and I am looking forward to getting out in to the community to find more top-notch foster families and raise community awareness about the foster care crisis.
"

Thank You Corner
Thumbs Up Baby
Angels is thankful for the donations of our valued friends. Without your generosity we could not provide the stable love and care that promotes healthy childhood development for San Diego children in need.

Thank you to all our generous  November donors!
Learn More

 

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.