Angels Among Us - It Takes a Village
Updated: February 25, 2013
MAHOMET -- These Angels Among Us took a smart idea to help others and made it a huge success. On a cold, wet and windy night, Jackie Butler's car is open for business. But there's no exchange of money, only donations of clothes and food.
"Nobody helps each other anymore, but these lovely ladies do everything they can to help everybody," said Cynthia.
That help started with Jackie's daughter.
Heather Denam remembered, "We were down on our luck. Didn't have a lot of money."
But a woman helped Heather out of that dark time. She vowed to never forget.
"I wanted to pay it forward."
So she started a Facebook page called "It Takes a Village, Central IL." People needing things, like cribs or clothes, could post. Heather would find what they needed at garage sales. As word spread, the needs and donations started pouring in.
"I didn't think it would turn into this," Heather said.
"It Takes a Village" was taking over Heather's house. They needed more space. Now they're renting three storage units at a cost of $240 a month. It all comes out of Heather's pocket. But more than space, she needed help.
"I knew I couldn't do it on my own."
Her mom now delivers donations to cities all over Central Illinois.
Jackie Butler explained, "A lot of them don't have the transportation to be able to pick it up. So we kind of provide the transportation to get it where it needs to go."
Diana Foster makes deliveries too. She works with the group 80 hours a week.
"Anytime that I have free time, I'm sorting or I'm posting or I'm collecting anything I can to help someone," said Diana.
Why? Because she's been there.
"I know what it's like to not know where your next meal is going to be or not to know how you're going to get your clothes washed."
Sarah Hinderliter knows too. Her family wouldn't have had Christmas without the group. To pay them back, she asked for donations to "It Takes a Village" instead of birthday presents for her daughter.
Sarah remarked, "You never thought a group of three women would become perfect angels for me and my family."
Hundreds of families have been helped. Hundreds are donating.
"The number is phenomenal."
That's what keeps these women going. Because they know, that even on a miserable rainy night, people will show up, for a pair of shoes, a loaf of bread and a smile.
Jackie said, "I see it unending. I don't see an end to it because there's always going to be a need."
If you would like to donate or if you need help, go to this site. It's a closed group. You will have to send a request first before posting.
"Nobody helps each other anymore, but these lovely ladies do everything they can to help everybody," said Cynthia.
That help started with Jackie's daughter.
Heather Denam remembered, "We were down on our luck. Didn't have a lot of money."
But a woman helped Heather out of that dark time. She vowed to never forget.
"I wanted to pay it forward."
So she started a Facebook page called "It Takes a Village, Central IL." People needing things, like cribs or clothes, could post. Heather would find what they needed at garage sales. As word spread, the needs and donations started pouring in.
"I didn't think it would turn into this," Heather said.
"It Takes a Village" was taking over Heather's house. They needed more space. Now they're renting three storage units at a cost of $240 a month. It all comes out of Heather's pocket. But more than space, she needed help.
"I knew I couldn't do it on my own."
Her mom now delivers donations to cities all over Central Illinois.
Jackie Butler explained, "A lot of them don't have the transportation to be able to pick it up. So we kind of provide the transportation to get it where it needs to go."
Diana Foster makes deliveries too. She works with the group 80 hours a week.
"Anytime that I have free time, I'm sorting or I'm posting or I'm collecting anything I can to help someone," said Diana.
Why? Because she's been there.
"I know what it's like to not know where your next meal is going to be or not to know how you're going to get your clothes washed."
Sarah Hinderliter knows too. Her family wouldn't have had Christmas without the group. To pay them back, she asked for donations to "It Takes a Village" instead of birthday presents for her daughter.
Sarah remarked, "You never thought a group of three women would become perfect angels for me and my family."
Hundreds of families have been helped. Hundreds are donating.
"The number is phenomenal."
That's what keeps these women going. Because they know, that even on a miserable rainy night, people will show up, for a pair of shoes, a loaf of bread and a smile.
Jackie said, "I see it unending. I don't see an end to it because there's always going to be a need."
If you would like to donate or if you need help, go to this site. It's a closed group. You will have to send a request first before posting.
