Our Story
When originally founded in 2004, AngelWorks was only ever meant to be a Christmas program, designed to surprise families that had a child or parent with a life threatening illness or injury with a complete Christmas.
That all changed in 2012 when Ellie Hite, the founder of AngelWorks, was driving to work and received a call from a young man named Joe Friend. The voice on the other end of the line explained that he had osteosarcoma and was terminal. He knew his family had spent all of their resources paying for treatments to save his life and there were no funds left to pay for his funeral. Ellie met Joe and his family for dinner a few nights later. She instantly fell in love with his larger than life personality, and his incredible outlook on life (and death…). It was through Joe that Ellie learned the shocking statistics on childhood cancers and the unfairness in research funding.
Our Mission
AngelWorks exists to enhance the lives of Ohio families battling pediatric cancer and raise awareness for childhood cancer funding.
AngelWorks provides financial and emotional support to families with a child battling cancer through a series of eight unique programs which are paid for through our year-round fundraising efforts. AngelWorks creates awareness around childhood cancer statistics and lack of treatment research funding through programs aimed at the general public and elected officials. AngelWorks will continue to pay for funerals and provide emotional and financial support for grieving families until a cure is found.
Today, AngelWorks has 8 programs to assist families with a child battling cancer. While the McKenna Maille AngelWings fund, which pays for an average of 3 funerals each month, is the most difficult to keep funded (because funerals are expensive!), all 8 programs are unique in their own way and of great importance to the families we serve.
Your Support Matters.
AngelWorks’ typical recipient is an average middle-class family where one or both parents are working when they receive a diagnosis, and one parent is forced to quit their job to provide around-the-clock care. With mounting medical bills, missing work, and additional driving to appointments, any savings the family had, is quickly spent. Donations raised are used for AngelWorks eight different programs to emotionally and financially support these families.
How You Can Help.
- Make a Donation – Your tax-deductible donation will be used to help a family facing a devastating reality. Donations can be made via cash, check, or credit card. Simply donate online or text the word “AngelWorks” to 44321.
- Sponsor a Funeral – AngelWorks pays for funerals every month for kids taken by cancer. The average cost of a funeral is $7,640. If you would like to help a family facing the unthinkable and sponsor a funeral or part of a funeral, you can make a tax-deductible donation! There is no greater gift that you can give a family than to lift the burden of paying for their child’s funeral during their darkest hour.
- Donate a Gift Card – We are always in need of gas, grocery, and store gift cards to pass on to families facing long hospital stays. If you are a frequent diner at a restaurant, they may even donate a card or two if you ask!
- Volunteer – We always have volunteer opportunities. If you would like to volunteer for an event, a project, or even for “office work”, or if you would like to be added to our volunteer email list, contact Ellie at ehite@myangelworks.org for more information.
- Corporate Support – Our corporate sponsors are crucial in helping to keep our programs funded. If you have or know of a business that is interested in becoming a sponsor or would be interested in having us speak at an event, or could make an in-kind donation, please let us know!
- Attend one of AngelWorks’ upcoming events at Easton
Hope Floats
Tuesday, September 30 | 6-8PM
Central Park Fountain
Cancer Stinks, but HOPE Floats!
On Tuesday September 30 from 6-8pm, join AngelWorks, for Hope Floats, a giant lucky duck game at the Central Park Fountain. Enjoy a fun celebration with games and a DJ, and three lucky ducks will be pulled from the fountain by three young cancer warriors at 8PM!
Purchase a rubber duck for a chance to win a prize and support Ohio kids fighting cancer!
Ducks are $25 each, or 5 for $100.
1st Prize: Vacation Package!
2nd Prize: Apple Watch 11
3rd Prize: $100 Gift Card
Chocolate Walk
Sunday, October 19 | 2-5PM
Throughout Easton
Join AngelWorks on October 19 for a Chocolate Walk throughout Easton! Visit a variety of participating retailers for fun and a sweet treat while raising money for kids fighting cancer. Save the date and check back soon for more details to come!
