The Caring Angel Program

$1 Million and Counting

The Caring Angel Program began in 1992 as a holiday fund-raising event that supports children, youth and families in Butler County. The event, which began as a small project, has blossomed into a community-supported effort that raises nearly $100,000 each year. Since the beginning of the campaign, more than $1 million has been raised.

2007 Campaign Summary

Butler Health System Foundation recently closed the 2007 Caring Angel Campaign. This was the 15th year for the campaign, which began as a small project and has blossomed into a community-supported effort that raised $95,400 this year. Proceeds will be distributed to:

• The Emergency Department at Butler Memorial Hospital to support emergency care for children 17 years of age and younger
• Family Services of BMH, located at the Family First Resource Center on North Washington Street in Butler, to support the services they provide to families
• Butler Recovery Project to support young adults recovering from chemical dependency

The 2007 Sponsors were: NexTier Bank, MSA, UPMC Health Plan, C.W. Howard Insurance Agency, Inc., Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Metz & Associates, Penn Telecom Inc., IBEW Local Union No. 5, Richard F. Latuska, M.D. and Donald A. Walters, D.O.

Barkus Chocolates made over 10,000 chocolate angels. These were sold by local businesses, banks and schools. McDonald's Restaurants of Butler sold 4,051 paper angels. All of the NexTier Bank locations participated by selling paper angels and chocolates. Other banks that participated were: Butler Armco Employees Credit Union, National City Bank, Farmers National Bank and Huntington Bank and Sky Bank.

Two special events were held to support the fund-raising effort: Sister's Christmas Catechism on November 3, a joint effort with the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, and The Celebrity Wait on November 28 at Texas Roadhouse. In attendance were Matt Cement, Shelley Duffy, Tracey Morgan, the Pittsburgh Pirates Parrot, Rocky from Slippery Rock University and local celebrities. A total of $2,100 was raised that evening from tips and raffle ticket sales.

The basket auction at the hospital raised $23,054 with 55 baskets donated by hospital departments, physician offices, area ambulance providers and local businesses.

The Butler High School Television Production students, led by Erik Robbins, produced the Caring Angel Community Celebration on December 19, which aired on Channel 10 and 50. Area schools and community groups presented their donations live on the air. The schools raised more than $26,500. The schools are such an important part of this campaign, and we would like to thank those who participated:

Elementary: Broad Street, Center Avenue, Center Township, Clearfield Township, Connoquenessing, Emily Brittain, McQuistion, Meridian, Moraine, Northwest, Oakland Township and Summit Township.

Secondary: Butler Junior High, Butler Intermediate High and Butler Senior High.

How the Caring Angel Funds are Used

The funds raised through the Caring Angel Program provide support in three vital areas:

• BMH Family Services, which provides educational, therapeutic and support services to children, youth and families
• The BMH Recovery Project, a support group for recovering young addicts
• The BMH Emergency Department, which annually provides over $100,000 in services to children whose parents or guardians do not have insurance or resources to pay

Family and Youth Services

A portion of the funds is given to the Family First Resource Center of Butler Memorial Hospital, which provides many necessary services to children and their families. For the past two years, the Caring Angel Program has also helped to support the Butler Regional Recovery Club, a drop-in center for recovering young addicts.