The Green Angels are a 501c3 Nonprofit Charitable Organization founded by Bill Doyle & Marya Vande-Doyle in 2008. We are a small organization operated completely by a couple of hundred volunteers and one paid part-time associate. The Green Angels aims to enrich the lives of local children with quality gently used toys, books, bikes and clothes at no cost, while encouraging citizens to experience the benefits of giving back to their community by recycling household items. Additionally we provide infant items to young mothers such as diapers, pack ‘n plays, strollers and crib mattresses. We collect our gently used items throughout the year and use this as inventory to serve families in need. All items are free and delivered at no charge. We do our best to find suitable items for every request.
In the Beginning…
The Green Angels began as a simple concept to provide brightness for families overwhelmed with life’s challenges, which often leave children without gifts for the holidays. We were inspired by the many seasonal programs which collect new toys for children. Our philosophy was that even more people want to give back to their communities, yet they are looking for cost effective ways to do so. We believed there were many families, just like ours, who had closets full of perfectly good toys, books, games and puzzles of which their kids had outgrown. Eager to launch our plan, we began gathering toys from our own basement, while sharing the idea with friends and family. Our house quickly filled with donations and in December 2008 we held our first Annual “Free-Cycle” Program designed for local families in need of gifts for their children. Since then this holiday program alone has grown to serving 850+ people in a single day!
Today
The “Free-Cycle” program has evolved into referral program throughout the year. The Green Angels receive referrals on a daily basis from organizations like the Wayne Behavioral Health Network, Wayne County Public Health, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital, Victim Resource Center, Wayne County Rural Health Network and Wayne County School districts. We respond quickly with toys, books, supplies, food, clothes and infant items in an effort to provide a brighter future, at no cost to the family. Altogether we now serve well over 1,000 children per year through the “Free-Cycle” program and our daily deliveries to local families!