The Reys of Hope Project began as a grass roots movement between two sisters. It all started about three years ago when one sister started to seriously make time to help the people in places many others were not willing to go. Blankets were handed out to the homeless, Christmas gifts were bought (at the sister's expense), wrapped and labeled for boys/girls and age appropriateness and distributed in Trenton during the holiday season. Word began to spread and more and more requests for help began pouring in. That's when she recruited her older sister to help in the effort. Pat began putting up handwritten notices requesting donations for the particular family's situation as identified by her sister. She connected with many kind and caring people. One of those people is Father John Bellezza, an Orthodox Priest who runs a ministry named Holy Angels Children's Society. Holy Angels ministers in Haiti and Southern New Jersey.
What We Do
We are a small group of women and one determined priest. We also get help from our respective family members. All of us are unpaid volunteers. We purchase very little - relying mostly on items donated by people in our neighborhoods who want to help. Considering our small size, we have had a major impact on those in need.
We help battered women, young pregnant mothers, foster moms and their kids. We also help families and Dads raising their children - the homeless - . We've provided cribs, strollers, bouncers, nursery supplies as well as beds, dressers, clothes, kitchen items and much more to those who need them. We are always collecting blankets which we donate to the homeless on the street. At Christmas, we hand out gifts for children - all purchased by our volunteers.
This section was written by Peaches - the woman who spearheaded this project and for many years did this work alone - until it snowballed and she recruited her sister, Pat who recruited me, who recruited Ruth and who met Father John who helped us legitimize our work and create this small but powerful organization.
The Reys of Hope Project is now under the auspices of Holy Angels Children's Society which is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charity in the State of New Jersey.
As the person who one day asked my sister Pat for assistance in finding items for one baby in need, I am so very proud of each and every one of the people that have come together to form this much needed organization. We have been able to help many more people then even our dedicated volunteers may realize.
For example, we have given items as needed: such as a car seat to bring a baby home from the hospital, and a bed so a little girl no longer had to sleep on the floor; warm clothes to keep a homeless man warm as the winter weather set in and coats, hats and gloves to others that had to wait for the bus to get to work or to an education. These are just a few of the many we have helped. But the truth is the same---If not for the donations that others have given us and the hard work of everyone that has made this organization a success, this never would have been possible.
Everyone (Pat, Ruth, Susan, Fr. John) take time to think about the fact that many people will not be cold today and each of you are the reason why. The individuals we have helped also have found comfort in knowing that when they asked for help they received some....who could ask for more then feeling that your needs mattered to another.
Again, thank you all and keep those donations coming as the need is as strong as ever.
