Helping Seriously Ill Children And Their Families
By ML Ball
Photos by Sabrina Eberhard
“We’ve never had to say no to a child.”
Such is the mantra of Angels of Light, the Millbrook-based non-profit started over 15 years ago by Lori and George Decker. What began with a simple act of kindness has grown into a compassionate powerhouse, providing assistance to children and families with life-threatening illnesses in all 11 counties of the Hudson Valley.
How one thing led to another: George was coaching basketball at Saint Martin de Porres School in Poughkeepsie. It was November, and one of his players, a little girl, was undergoing medical treatment. He and Lori approached her parents and offered to buy holiday gifts for their children. “We wanted them to be able to spend more quality time with their family because they were going back and forth to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Westchester,” Lori explains. “We got a wish list from each child, got all the gifts they asked for, wrapped them, and brought them to their home on Christmas Eve. That was the first year.”
The following year the Deckers did the same thing for three families, then four, then five, then 25. “It just kind of evolved,” says Lori. “This past year, we gave out over 3000 gifts to over 100 families. We also have a Kids Helping Kids Program involving local kids, and a Pediatric Unit Giving Program that provides customized gift bags to hospitalized children. We’re in seven hospitals, so we have grown unbelievably.”
It soon became apparent that the need was bigger than just during the holidays. Families with very ill children need help all year-round with medical bills, utilities, food, gas, and a place to stay when their child is receiving treatment far from home. “The biggest concern is lodging,” Lori says. “We have several families who have to travel to Boston Children’s Hospital, sometimes for up to three months. Ronald McDonald House is amazing, but it only has ten rooms. We have contacts with hotels that give medical relief but it can still run thousands of dollars.”
To help meet those needs, Angels of Light hosts two annual fundraisers. Making Wishes Come True, now in its eighth year, will be held June 1 at Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds in Millbrook, with country singer Jay Taylor performing. “All the food, the beverages—everything is donated,” Lori reports. “Last year we had over 350 people attend and netted $133,000.”
The other benefit is Angels of Rock which debuted in 2023. Due to a generous patron’s matching grant, enough money was raised to underwrite the Angels of Light Pediatric Infusion Room at MidHudson Regional Hospital. Now, children can receive infusions locally rather than traveling to Boston or Westchester. “This was my dream,” says Lori proudly.
Yes, the need is great, but this organization’s supply of love and care is greater. “I cannot say enough about the Hudson Valley,” Lori proclaims. “The compassion, the generosity, the pure love, is just amazing. The volunteers, the sponsors, the businesses…they do it all.” As angels always do. —angelsoflighthv.org