'Angels' annual event honors longtime volunteers

FALLBROOK – Longtime members of the Angel Society of Fallbrook were honored at its 32nd Annual Meeting and Luncheon held May 27 at the Pala Mesa Resort.

Over the years, the Angel Society has grown to 550 members, with 85 belonging to the group for 25 years or more.

“God bless you Angels. You earned your wings,” said Gloria Seelye, president, who also thanked those “who have given your time, your talent, your goods and your money,” she said.

“Angels Love Children” was the theme of the event which was attended by nearly 215 members and featured a special sale of jewelry, linens and other “treasures.” There was also a 1950s-themed concert by members of the CAST Show Choir, who ranged in age from nine through 11, and a fashion show with members modeling Angel Shop finds.

In presenting the group’s annual financial report, organization treasurer Nancy Chapman reported that charitable giving totaled $106,284 for the fiscal year May 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010. Since its inception in 1978, the Angels have contributed more than $2.7 million in funds to local worthy causes.

Chapman also described the Angel Shop, a thrift store on Main Avenue that is operated entirely by Angel Society volunteers, as “one of Fallbrook’s best businesses.” She later credited its success to the expansion of the Angel’s Attic boutique, as well as to the addition of higher priced items for sale, such as furniture. Green-minded trends and the downturn in the economy “also has a lot to do with people buying more recycled things,” she explained.

This year’s report also listed for the first time the group’s recycled donations, which were estimated at a value of upwards of $50,000. These donations included 43 Bibles to the American Bible League; towels and other linens to the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary; art supplies to Arts in the Park; 6,100 pairs of eyeglasses redistributed by the Lion’s Club; as well as assorted clothing and other items to CAST Theater, Emmanuel Latina Church, Food Pantry, Hospice, Marine’s Outreach, the Presbyterian Church, San Diego Rescue Mission, Time Warner Cable and the Women’s Resource Center.

“It’s really amazing what a group of dedicated women can do,” said Marilyn Miller, philanthropy chair, who noted that the theme of this year’s luncheon was intended to highlight the Angels’ philanthropy efforts that benefit youth of all ages in the community.

At this month’s board of directors meeting, the Angels approved an additional $6,000 in scholarships to be awarded to deserving seniors at Fallbrook Union High School.

The board also approved donations totaling $2,500 to the Fallbrook Community Student of the Month program for Fallbrook Union High School District, as well as another $2,500 to a new program for first graders to be implemented by the Fallbrook Library. Highlights of the program include registering students with their own library card and incentives to increase library use and improve reading, writing and learning skills.

A total of $300 each was also awarded to Fallbrook’s Pop Warner program and Nathan Sneller, an Eagle Scout candidate with Troop 755. Sneller hopes to construct a new outdoor rest area at Fallbrook Hospital.