Angel Wings spring fundraiser begins April 25

This year’s Angel Wings Network online auction is scheduled for April 25 through May 5. The fundraiser coincides with the nonprofit’s participation in the annual Idaho Gives fundraising event, which is scheduled for May 2-5.

 Angel Wings’ mission is to provide support to cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, family, and loved ones who have been touched with cancer in rural communities.

 The organization’s annual fundraiser originally began as a live event but transitioned to an online event during COVID. 

 “Last year was the first one we did online, and it went so well, we have adopted that as our spring fundraiser,” said Angel Wings Network Executive Director Mabel Dobbs. “We’ll be doing that going forward, tied in over the same time frame as Idaho Gives.”

 Idaho Gives is a program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center and “powered” by Idaho Central Credit Union. It is designed to bring the state together, raising money and awareness for Idaho nonprofits, according to the organization’s website. 

 “Idaho Gives is a day of giving in the state of Idaho,” Dobbs explained. “It was originally one day but, again, because of COVID, they’ve spread it out over a few days. It’s a statewide day of giving for nonprofits. We always had a live/silent auction and tied in an additional piece of fundraising and together, with Idaho Gives and the Online Auction Event, that has become our spring fundraising event.”

 Angel Wings operates solely on donations, making the spring fundraiser a very important source that fuels the nonprofit for the entire year. People can donate items, cash, or both.

 “What we are trying to do is raise enough money for gas cards and other support programs,” Dobbs said. “We have no sustaining source of money or income. Everything we raise comes from the communities, some small grants, and two foundations.”

 Dobbs said the organization gave out more than $15,000 in gas cards last year. In the first quarter of 2022 alone, Angel Wings has distributed $5,650 in gas cards. Considering the growing demand for the cards and the price of fuel, the nonprofit is on track to give out approximately $25,000 by the end of the year.

 But Angel Wings doesn’t just provide cancer patients with gas cards; it makes wellness calls to patients, distributes grocery and meal cards, and provides prayer blankets and quilts.

 Between January and March, Angel wings has signed up 22 new cancer patients for a total of 269 active cancer files, made more than 70 Cancer Care Pals (CCP) Program wellness calls, distributed 226 fuel cards, 81 grocery cards and 121 meal cards, presented 20 prayer blankets and 18 quilts, and signed up eight new blanket-maker volunteers and two new CCP volunteers.

 “The first quarter has been very busy with newly diagnosed cancer patients. While it hurts our hearts to see so many community members fighting cancer, we are also honored to be able to help provide much-needed resources and support,” Dobbs stated in the organization’s quarterly report. “As part of our goal to provide continued support beyond that first visit, we have launched the Cancer Care Pals Program, which is off to a great start.

 “The program is designed to improve health navigation and decrease depression and anxiety for our cancer patients. Our volunteers will provide consistent support and mentorship by improving communication and interaction.”

 Angel Wings has also launched a book club that is open to patients, volunteers, caregivers, and friends who are interested in connecting with others and learning through book knowledge.

 Angel Wings’ goal through the upcoming Idaho Gives and Online Auction Event has been increased to $25,000 due in part to higher fuel prices in the country.

 “We are confident that we will be able to raise this amount,” Dobbs said. 

 Another goal is to recruit more volunteers for the CCP program and for transportation coordination.

 “We have a lot of cancer patients and not enough volunteers, but we feel confident that we can get more help in this area,” Dobbs stated. “We would also like to encourage more participants in the Book Club this fall. This is a valuable resource that we feel can be utilized by more patients as we extend more invitations to new members.”

 Donations are still needed for the online auction and will be graciously received until Friday, April 22. 

 To make a donation, please call (208) 414-9464, deliver your item(s) to 773 W. Main St. in Weiser, or go online at www.angelwingsnetwork.net.

 A preview of auction items can be found here: https://argentasoftware.com/interfaces/awings/frmAuctioniItems.aspx?Auct.... For more information on Idaho Gives, visit www.idahogives.org.