You may have seen their signature hand-painted metal angels around Jacksonville — on doors, displayed on bookshelves or tucked into greenery. Maybe you have seen their bright pink and green circle angel logo on a Vineyard Vines tie, Lilly Pulitzer scarf or sticker on a car. You may have even received an angel or retail item as a gift and thought, what a beautiful symbol. But that angel is more than a decoration, it is the special symbol of Angels for Allison.
While many of us have suffered the heartbreak of unexpected loss, most of us will never endure the devastating reality of losing a child. Angels for Allison, a Jacksonville-based charity, helps with the financial needs and ongoing support of families who are suffering the loss of a child. As sad as it sounds, every year Angels for Allison fully utilizes all of their funding to alleviate the financial burden associated with funeral costs for families who have lost a child. To date, Angels for Allison has helped more than 450 families across Northeast Florida.
The Allison Brundick Haramis Foundation, Angels for Allison, was founded in memory of Allison, who was killed in an auto accident in 2009. The Foundation was created by friends and loved ones of the Haramis family to honor the memory, legacy and joyous spirit of 15-year-old Allison.
“By the generosity of donors and volunteers, Angels for Allison has helped over 450 families across Northeast Florida. Angels for Allison believes that no family should go into debt as a result of the loss of their child. In 2018, we provided funding for the funerals of 91 children, 25% more than in 2017. The increased capacity was made possible through an intentional effort to right-size expenses and engage our community partners,” said Liz Nottingham, Executive Director of Angels for Allison.
Angels for Allison invites volunteers to spend time in their shop, painting the metal angels. Great for a mom’s event, church volunteer project or an opportunity to get together with friends or build comradery among colleagues. The community-based art program creates the brightly colored metal angels sold to support the Foundation. For $20 per person, you can “make and take” your angel home.
In addition to selling decorative angels and other items at the Angels for Allison store, the organization supports its mission through an annual fundraiser, Festival of Flight, the organization’s largest fundraiser. The ninth annual Festival of Flight will be held October 12, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Intuition Ale Works and Manifest Distilling (downtown). The event is free to attend and family-friendly having activities for all ages — including bounce houses, crafts, face painting, and games as well as live music, delicious food, and adult beverages and an opportunity to participate in a raffle will also be part of the event. Registration/RSVP “tickets” (free) and pre-ordered R-shirts for the event (raises funds for the organization) are available online. Several area dance studios will also perform, with Saltmarsh Dance of Jacksonville giving the featured performance, based on the Angels for Allison story.
“In keeping with tradition, we will host a memorial service immediately before the event for the families we have served since the organization’s inception. We will never forget the children we have served,” added Liz.
In addition, children are encouraged to enter the Angels for Allison angel design contest by October 1. Parents can download this form and children are invited to draw their best angel design for a chance for it to be featured on retail items sold by the organization. Entries must be mailed to Angels for Allison by the deadline. Winners with be announced at the Festival of Flight.
Most of us will never have to endure the devastation of losing a child. Nonetheless, each of us is either a parent or a child, and many of us have witnessed the pain that is felt by those who have lived through this kind of tragedy. Angels for Allison is helping families in a time of loss. There are many ways for you to be an angel and support their mission.
Request for assistance from Angels for Allison must come through our referring partners. Angels for Allison takes no requests from telephone calls or emails to the office. Our Mission Committee takes all referrals into consideration. If approved, benefits are then paid directly to the funeral homes. We identify Northeast Florida families in financial need through partnerships with the following agencies: Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Baptist Health, St. Vincent’s Healthcare, UF Health NICU and PICU, Orange Park Medical Center, Memorial Hospital PEDS Care, Nemours UF Health Medically Complex Office, Northeast Florida Association of School Psychologists, and Kids Hope Alliance.
