Tis’ the season for holiday cheer, festivities and family traditions. The McAngels, an auxiliary group for the Ronald McDonald house comprised of women from Carle Place and Westbury, is carrying out its most heartfelt holiday tradition—the tradition of giving back to those less fortunate.
This is the 10th year the McAngels is holding its holiday Adopt-A-Family program, and it is proving to be a record setting year for the charity. “This year is the biggest year we have ever had. We have adopted five families to buy gifts for this Christmas,” Kerri Delio, one of the founding members of the McAngels, proudly proclaimed.
Each year the McAngels reaches out to the community in search of families who can’t afford to buy gifts for their children during the holidays. The financial burdens could be because of the loss of a job, or in many cases is because a family is strapped with staggering medical bills due to the diagnosis of a child with cancer.
When McAngels member Sue Woodward was asked if she knew of a family in need this holiday season, she didn’t hesitate.
“My friend adopted a foster child she was caring for when he was 6 months old. Four months after the adoption he was diagnosed with leukemia.” Woodward explains. “Now his birth mother is trying to get him back. Between the legal fees and the medical bills she couldn’t afford to buy gifts this Christmas.”
That family and four other families in need are having all of their holiday gift wishes granted this year. The family’s identities are all kept confidential to protect their privacy.
Once a family is “adopted” they supply the group with a wish list for every member of the family, both children and parents alike. Then volunteers spend their time and money shopping for and fulfilling all of the family members’ gift wishes. Everything from toys and games, to clothing, electronics and even fully stuffed stockings are purchased for the families.
There is no skimping on the amount of gift giving for each family member either. “For most of the children these are the only gifts or items they will be getting for the entire year. They deserve to have all of their wishes granted,” says McAngel Karen Pascarella.
Not only does the group do all of the shopping and purchasing, they do all of the wrapping too. McAngels members both big and small pitch in to lend a hand.
The littlest McAngels are the children of the members. In fact for many of the McAngels members, it is their own children who were the motivating force in forming the charity group in the first place.
“I love seeing how my children are learning all about being charitable,” explains McAngel Tracie Marasco. “It truly helps them to appreciate everything that they have.”
The children echo Maraso’s sentiments. “My favorite part is helping other kids,” 8-year-old Jake Delio happily explains. “I love giving kids presents,” adds 8-year-old Nina Marasco.
The McAngels was formed 13 years ago by a group of friends from Carle Place who were looking for ways to give back to the community. It is this spirit of giving that has helped the McAngels become the largest auxiliary for the Ronald McDonald house. “Since our inception the McAngels have raised over $1 million for the house,” Delio states proudly.
In addition to the Adopt-A-Family program the McAngels holds community garage sales, bake sales and this past year, they also hosted a guest bartending event at Mannings Pub and donated all their tips to the McAngels.
Lisa Passariello and Tracie Marasco
The group also holds an annual dance. In attendance at last year’s dance was the family of Austin, a 3-year-old boy with cancer. Austin and his family were one of the families the McAngels adopted last year.
Austin’s family members told the crowd at the dance about their experience with the Adopt-A-Family program, telling those in attendance that the generosity of the McAngels group gave them a sense of hope and strength when they were at their lowest moments during last year’s holiday season.
That sense of hope and strength is something that the McAngels say they hope to continue to spread during this holiday season, and many more holiday seasons still to come.
