In 2015, a local grandmother suddenly had to take on full-time care of her young granddaughter and for this, she was not prepared.
Debbie Loesch and her daughter, Brittany, turned to social media, simply asking others if they had items they needed and if they would be willing to donate them. Various people within certain Facebook groups did not take well to these requests, and the mother/daughter duo caught some negative backlash.
Believing there would be many people willing to help if they knew of the urgency, the Loeschs created a new Facebook Page: “Angels of Long Island.” With the purest of intentions, they once again asked friends and family: “Can you help this woman, a neighbor, in need?” Quickly, about 200 people connected to their page. Within one week, the woman’s needs were met.
And so it began. Neighbors helping neighbors.
Knowing there were many others in this situation, Debbie and Brittany started collecting whatever donations people were willing to offer. They stored it throughout their house and yard. As the stockpile grew, they used a trailer, sheds, tents, and tarps to not allow anything to go to waste, knowing that, at some time, someone may need it.
‘Angels of LI’ opened a 3,800 square foot thrift store in 2017, located at 350-23 E. Main Street in Patchogue, which has since grown to 6,000 square feet. Now, they have all their donations displayed in a store setting. When someone is in crisis or transitioning into something more stable, they come in and simply shop for what they need. Bed linens, furniture, pots and pans or clothes and so forth; with some guidelines, of course, but all for free.
The thrift store is open to the public to come in and purchase items as well. The money raised from sales directly supports the many other services their outreach program provides. At the Patchogue location, and with the help of their many followers, they host a few annual events all in line with their mission.
The ‘Angels,’ who are run solely by volunteers, turn their entire parking lot into an extension of the store. They set up a system for families during their “Back to School” event to go through and choose many items such as backpacks, school supplies, clothes, shoes and much more.
As the cold sets in, a “Warm Coat Giveaway” unfolds. Here, hundreds of coats are beautifully displayed and available for purchase–no questions asked, and no one gets turned away. This past Christmas, the set-up was that of a toy store, play items both new and used on display. Parents were able to come in and pick the perfect toy for their children.
To meet other immediate needs for its neighbors throughout the year, a back corner of the store serves as a food pantry. The shelves are stocked with bread, cereal, baby food, and snacks.
As a non-profit, Angels of LI also holds annual fundraisers. Since they rely wholeheartedly on the goodness of others, they’ve mastered their social media to the extent where someone in need has 60,000-plus friends to turn to.
For example, if a family is in immediate need of a space heater, warm blankets, car seat, or crib, the post goes out – and within hours, if not, minutes, friends are replying to donate theirs. Then, others will chime in as to who can pick it up and deliver it to where it’s required. Offers from third parties to cover the cost of something someone needs, but cannot afford, have also been known to occur.
Brittany and Debbie, however, don’t stop there. They have been proactive in the local school districts in their quest to provide for the underserved. Thanks to their collaborative efforts, they have been able to feed hundreds of hungry children each month.
Patricia Peterson serves as Angels LI’s Executive Director. Debbie’s mother, Marie, is often seen behind the cash register hitting the “Magic Button.”
The organization offers love and care like no other thrift shore. At Angels, not only will your items live on in a useful manner; they will breathe new life into someone else’s.
Angels of Long Island is located at 350-23 E Main St, East Patchogue, NY 11772 • (631 803-6775) Like them on Facebook or visit their website at angelsoflongisland.com
