Angels celebrate over $2.3 million in giving

When Angels make a promise, they come through. When members the Angel Society of Fallbrook began operating their Angel Shop thrift store back in 1978, they agreed that all proceeds would go right back into making a difference in this community. At their 29th Annual Meeting and Luncheon held May 24 at the Grand Tradition, many of these same early members, and a boatload of new ones, celebrated the organization’s total of $2,354,046 of charitable giving since March of 1978. In their 2006-2007 fiscal year, the organization distributed a total of $120,900 to some 66 causes.

Entities receiving the largest contributions were:

Scholarships for Fallbrook High School graduates - $18,000.

Boys and Girls Clubs of North County - $10,000.

Fallbrook Food Pantry - $5,000.

FLC Trails Council - $5,000.

Live Oak Park Coalition - $5,000.

Santa’s Toy Project - $5,000.

“These organizations are so grateful,” said Philanthropy Chairperson Vivian Steere. President Linda Promack extended a heartfelt thank you to the members for their dedication to philanthropic work and their loyalty to the organization.

In addition to monetary gifts, the Angel Society has given a substantial amount of assistance in the way of books, clothing and other goods to a variety of entities that support the needs of the community including The Bottom Shelf bookstore, Camp Pendleton YMCA, Casa de Amparo, animal rescue, Pregnancy Resource Center, the Wounded Warriors Center, Fallbrook High School Prom Dreams and many more.

A surprise announcement was made at the event by longtime member Billie Foli. Foli announced that the Angel Society now has an agreement to purchase the 5,000 square foot building the Angel Shop is located in at 1002 South Main Avenue. This has been made possible for the organization from bequests left in wills to the Society from generous individuals.

“Angels are flying right now with the down payment on the property,” Foli said, smiling. “We intend to close escrow on June 30.” She reported that since it has been a longtime goal of the Angel Society to purchase a ‘permanent’ home for the Shop, over $450,000 had been placed in a building fund reserve account from bequests. With the assistance of Inland Empire Bank, the organization will become the owner of the property, instead of lessees.

“We had a ten year lease and had two and a half years left on it,” Foli said. “We are very pleased that this has been made possible.” Jubilant members gave a standing ovation when Foli announced the news.

The Angel Society event also included a fashion show of ‘Shop’ fashions and theme tables that included a fabulous use of color and décor by a variety of members. Table themes ranged from ‘Fiesta Days’ to ‘Mardi Gras’ to ‘Asian Delight’ to ‘Casino Bingo’ and ‘Fallbrook Fantasy.’