This Month’s Featured Article

Angels of Light, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Millbrook, NY, assists children and families with a life-threatening illness living or receiving treatment in the Hudson Valley, or whose life has been suddenly altered by an accident or loss of life. 

Easing the burden for children and families

Angels of Light was first created over 20 years ago by founders Lori and George Decker, though it wasn’t until 2016 that the organization was officially registered as a nonprofit. Lori and George, parents to six children, saw a need in the community while George was coaching basketball. 

At one of the games, Lori approached a mother whose child was undergoing treatment and asked her if she could purchase Christmas gifts for the family to ease the burden during the holiday season. During the conversation, Lori found out that the mother was traveling down to Westchester with her child so she could receive treatment five days per week. 

“We went to her home and brought all of the gifts that the children had on their wishlists,” Lori said. “The next year, we had three families, then five families the year after that, and then it just snowballed to the point where we had to ask the community for support.”

Since that first year, Angels of Light has delivered over 15,000 gifts to more than 2,000 children living and/or receiving treatment in the Hudson Valley. The name and logo of the organization came about as a natural progression of the work that Lori and other volunteers were doing. Lori came up with the name Angels of Light because angels are viewed as protectors and messengers of kindness and compassion. “We wanted the name to encompass our mission, and everyone who has ever volunteered with us is an angel.” 

The logo, which was hand-drawn by a volunteer, embodies a feeling of comfort and child-like wonder. “Angels embody the essence of protection and guidance, acting as compassionate messengers for others. They radiate kindness and offer their love and support, without any expectation of receiving something in return. Their true gift lies in their genuine, unconditional support and selflessness,” explains Danielle Mollica, the executive director for Angels of Lights. 

Like Lori, Danielle has always had a hand in volunteer work. After losing her father, who worked as an attorney for many years in Poughkeepsie, NY, Danielle found herself looking for more ways to give back to the community. 

“My dad was highly respected in the community and he was my idol. I was asking myself, ‘What can I do to give back and help children like he did?’ and I found myself with Lori. The rest is history,” she said. 

Giving during the holidays and beyond

Angels of Light quickly expanded to encompass more than just holiday giving. Now, they help children and families year-round with medical bills, utilities, food, gas, mortgages, and other expenses that inevitably incur when a child or family member is ill and receiving treatment. Indeed, overall financial need is where Angels of Light is seeing the most need right now. 

The holiday giving program harkens back to Angels of Light’s early beginnings. The program supports families throughout the holidays in three different ways: adopting a family, which includes purchasing, wrapping, and delivering gifts directly to an Angels of Light Family; hosting a giving tree in a business, which allows customers, clients, members, and staff to share in supporting a local family for the holidays; and sponsoring a child or family, which allows you to monetarily support a family throughout the holidays, in which Angels of Light will shop, wrap, and deliver gifts on your behalf.

Angels of Light started the pediatric giving program in April of 2023 to provide care packages that of pajamas, coloring books, games, books, pacifiers, and more to pediatric recipients in seven local hospitals: Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital and Vassar Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY; Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY; Putnam Hospital in Carmel, NY; Sharon Hospital in Sharon, CT; St. Luke’s Hospital in Newburgh, NY; and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, NY. Since the program’s inception, Angels of Light has been able to donate 437 gift bags to pediatric patients in need. 

“These bags are age and gender specific to ensure that every child receives a special gift made just for them,” Danielle explained. “A handmade card from a local child is placed in every bag before it is delivered to the hospital.” 

Most recently, as part of this program, Angels of Light was able to sponsor the Pediatric Infusion Room at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital. The construction of this room not only provides a colorful, warm, and welcoming environment for pediatric patients, but will also help alleviate the cost and time spent traveling elsewhere to receive treatment. 

Also part of the pediatric giving program, Angels of Light is currently working on an art therapy program for children in Vassar Hospital. The room will be decorated with warm and bright colors, creating a comforting environment that encourages creativity. A cart stocked with supplies can be rolled from room to room to ensure that patients who are not able to travel to the art therapy room are still included in the program. 

Finally, the kids helping kids program consists of supporting Angels of Light families through creating cards for children receiving treatment in local hospitals, hosting fundraisers like lemonade stands and bake sales to raise funds for the organization, and getting involved through local schools by volunteering with clubs, teams, and other organizations. 

Forming meaningful relationships

For Lori, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing the smiles on children’s faces when the “angels” visit them. “That’s what gives me the strength to keep going,” she said. The joy that they are able to provide for children, even just for a little while, is what makes it all worth it. 

“I will always remember the way a child smiles before they pass, and that stays with me forever. Many times, if we have to go to a wake or funeral, the parents will give us a hug and say ‘because of you, we now have a wonderful memory of the last holiday that we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise,’” Lori explained. “That’s what is most rewarding.”

Danielle concurred. “It is so meaningful to be with a family throughout their journey – which is the hardest time in their lives – and to be a beacon of light, hope, and support throughout the time that they’re struggling. Every smile that we put on their faces is what keeps us going.” 

Lori, Danielle, and the other volunteers often become so close to the children that they work with that they end up feeling like family. While they cherish that connection, it can become particularly difficult when a child passes on. 

“When you lose someone close to you, it can be difficult, but more often than not, you’re just grateful that you’ve had them in your life at all. That’s how I feel about the Angels of Light recipients,” Lori said tearfully. “I’m thinking now of all of the children, and the impact that they have made on my life is an inspiration. It makes you want to go out and do more and more. While it’s very bittersweet, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” 

Paving the road to longevity

While there are many aspects of the organization that Lori and Danielle are looking to grow in the coming years, at the forefront is the monthly donation program. 

“We want to be sustainable here before we branch out,” Lori said. “We want to be able to give more to families here. It’s nice that we can pay a mortgage payment, it takes the stress off for a month or two at a time, but we need more sustainability through the monthly donation program. We can only give out what we get in.” 

Growing the monthly donation program allows Angels of Light to have a bigger monthly budget, which therefore allows them to cover big costs such as a special wheelchair that insurance won’t cover or funeral expenses. 

“Even five dollars a month is huge. If we have 100 people who do that, that’s significant,” Lori explained.

Community relations and fundraising events

Much of what Angels of Light does would be impossible without the support of the local communities. They’re able to raise funds throughout a variety of events, some of which are occurring throughout this month. 

On December 6, Angels of Light will be hosting pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus at their office in the heart of the village of Millbrook from 3-5pm. On December 15, they will be hosting a gift-wrapping event at Orvis Sandanona in Millbrook, during which people can also make donations. 

Also throughout the month of December, Angels of Light will be partnering with local Shell gas stations to raise funds. Stop by select Shell locations and fill up your tank using the purple giving pump; a portion of your gas purchase will be donated to Angels of Light. 

Angels of Light hosts fundraisers, donation drives, and awareness events throughout the year. Keep an eye on the event page on their website to stay updated with upcoming events and fundraisers. 

If you’d like to make a donation directly to Angels of Light or learn more about their work, you can visit their website angelsoflighthv.org for more information.” •