Cal’s Angels Twelve Days of Christmas

Last year we launched a new program called “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”  The sole purpose of this new program was to spoil the heck out of seriously and terminally ill children fighting for their lives against cancer.  While the number in the title says Twelve, we couldn’t turn anyone away and purchased up to $200 in gifts for each of our 14 recipients and their 33 siblings – we actually went over the $200 on most but shhh, don’t let the secret out.  We also included some baked goods (have to be store bought), ginger bread houses and a $150 gift card for a turkey dinner for the family. 

Cal’s Angels volunteers were in direct contact with each family to discuss if they would like their gifts wrapped for “under the tree” or dropped off at any point.  The volunteers were in frequent contact with the family to make sure we made this one of their best holidays yet with the goal being to ease the stress of caring for an ill child while trying to create some normalcy for the siblings during the holidays.  By taking care of the gift buying for the family, they were able to enjoy the holidays as much as possible considering the circumstances.

Because the program was so successful last year, we have decided to make this an annual event with the 2011 Twelve Days Program beginning as you read this.  We thought it couldn’t get any worse when we announced that the number of families almost doubled from last year but it has gotten much worse.  To date, the list has grown to 24 recipients and 50 siblings, now four of the children have lost their battles with cancer, three are in hospice and eight are critical but no matter what occurs, we are determined to take care of every one of them including the families who have lost their child at what should be a joyous time of the year.  If there is any way you can help us help these kids and their families please do so by making direct donations via the PayPal link on our home page - www.calsangels.org - or send checks payable to Cal’s Angels to 721 Ashton Lane, South Elgin, IL  60177 which will be accepted through December 23rd to help offset the costs.