The Angel Project

What is the Angel Project and What do we do?

Our charity was founded in 2008 by Lisette Kingo after a visit to the Complex Care unit at Parkwood Hospital. Many patients spend decades in Complex Care units in hospitals and will never go home again; accident victims, MS, ALS patients and others who have been left without tools and the finances to fend for themselves and have been abandoned by their families and society. Hospital foundations are wonderful however they have such a large need to fill that the social agenda and Complex Care units are often left to the last.

Do you know that hospitals do not provide what we consider basic needs to patients such as shaving cream or soap and there are virtually no funds for recreational activities such as outings? We pride ourselves on being one of the very few organizations that operate with minimal overhead, and a totally volunteer team and board of directors. The majority of funds we raise through our website donations (www.theangelproject.ca) or various fundraising events, go directly to our patients or the Complex Care Unit at the hospital. At The Angel Project we not only raise funds to assist in at least one outing per eligible patient per year, when possible we assist with the purchase of items such as wheelchairs, voice boxes and speech computers. Although there are some provincial funding for these, it is not enough for patients who do not have enough to cover the patient portion, The wait for provincial funding is also excruciating . We also assist with basic needs such as providing soap, shaving cream, shampoo and even simple comforts such as stuffed animals, soft blankets or gifts at Christmas. Our patients at Joe Brant Hospital (Burlington) and Parkwood Hospital (London) depend on the funds we raise through our fundraising events and private donations. 

To help raise their awareness and build sustainable support of The Angel Project, we have created a Hockey tournament, The Angel Tournament , to “skate for those who can’t”, now in our fourth year. We have details about the success of last year’s event at www.theangelproject.ca. This year we have of the City of Burlington and Nelson arena to host the tournament. We will have approximately 70 children involved in the tournament, all “skating for someone who can’t.”

Here is a breakdown of just some of the items The Angel Project has provided patients and hospitals with. To give you an idea for example just one piece of equipment can cost upwards to $10,000

• Countless customized wheelchairs for patients
• Giving a voice back to patients who are unable to speak post-stroke or spinal cord injury through funding computers, dynovox computers, and
  speaking devices
• Over $50K in rebuilding lounges and spaces for patients
• Construction of hospital outdoor garden area with pergolas and furniture
• SMART board for patient use
• Many I pads with retina displays
• Hand Cycle for rehabilitation for bedridden patients
• Several large screen TV’s and DVD players as well as movie library
• WII systems and play stations
• Hundreds of Hand made quilts for patients
• Hundreds of Personalized Christmas gifts
• Funding for a “Slush fund” this fun is set up so that patients do not have to go through the red tape for a few dollars for small extras, such a hair cut or manicure
• Bingo Carts with prizes as well as gift cards, itunes cards, Tim Horton Cards, games, etc.
• Chair lifts
• Computer systems and speech programs
• Voice Boxes
• Revamp of patient lounges (including designer curtains, furniture, electronics, etc)
• Outdoor gardens including garden furniture plants etc.
• Outings to hockey games, rock in the park, western fair, trips to the mall, trips to park, etc. Including medical transport.
• Medical transport for patients to attend various events.
• Support “ NEW HOPE” a short film for speech pathologist made by patients.
• BEPAP Machine to assist patients in breathing
• Electric Chair lift
• The creation of craft corners with supplies and space.
• Funding for entertainment such as a musician coming to visit the hospital.
• Pocket talkers
• Sliding boards for patients transfers
• Eze turn transfer disc
• Stroke Walkers
• Treadmill
• Upper extremity mobile cable system
• Apple TV
• Exercise equipment and activity supplies

But more than any of the listed items it is often the little things that make the biggest difference. Hygiene items, such as shampoo and soap and a handmade quilt to make a patient feel human and cared for. Hand made personalized Christmas cards for patients to let them know they are not alone. 

In the words of our patients “ The angel project and its volunteers are truly Angels that walk among us” 

You can support the Angel Project by purchasing an Angel Pendant on our web site, Adopting a Patient for Christmas or get involved in sponsoring or volunteering the The Angel Tournament. 

The Angel Project (7938067 Canada Association)
Registered Charity  83839-3486 RR000