Ogle Earth Angels recognized

Each year, we come together, not just as a community, but as a family – as individuals, businesses, sponsors, volunteers, young and old.

We reach out to those who might need an “earth angel” to sponsor them. We open our hearts, devote our time, contribute endless efforts, provide assistance, and donate with heartfelt generosity to make it, once again, a successful year. We faithfully come together even as each year seems to be more challenging than the year previous, especially during these most trying, difficult times and economic situation.

Each year, we begin with one bell that rings with the first contribution or donation. Each year, on Christmas morning, we stand tall, with pride in our hearts, as we all listen carefully and can hear the crescendo of bells ringing as children who have been sponsored open their gifts and know that Santa hasn’t forgotten them after all.

It is, therefore, with much pride and heartfelt deepest gratitude to share the following story with each of you. 

On April 24-26, I was humbled and deeply honored to have been invited, as their guest, to attend the annual Illinois National Guard State Family Conference in Bloomingdale, where I was presented a commemorative award plaque on behalf of Ogle County’s Earth Angels for all our collective efforts over the past few years.

There was also a formal banquet dinner where all the soldiers were in their dress blues and spouses in their formal attire and, oh, what a sight to behold. The whole weekend was fantastic, and I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of the voices I have dealt with over the phone throughout the past years.

This award presented to me and accepted on behalf of Ogle County Earth Angels (meaning, all of you) would not have come about if it wasn’t for everyone’s collective efforts in participation and generous open hearts. I wish to congratulate all of you.

Good job, everyone. Once again, I thank you, and God bless.

Note to readers – Linda Straith is “Granny” for Earth Angels, a not-for-profit organization for needy families of Ogle County.