Community Action Angels
JCEO’s Community Action Angels is a volunteer program made up of caring individuals that want to make a difference in their community. Volunteers work together to develop and implement special projects and programs that will have an impact on the individuals, families, and communities we care about. JCEO’s Community Action Angels program is part of a statewide network of Community Action Angels programs.
Our Mission
Community Action Angels believe that all people in need deserve to be helped and in return should be given the opportunity to help others. Our goal is to identify the needs of the disadvantaged and be pro-active in meeting these needs through volunteerism, collaboration, and partnerships with other private, government, faith-based and community organizations with similar goals.
The Backpack Program
“Good nutrition is just as important to a child’s future as a quality education – maybe even more so. We can’t expect kids to learn, excel and achieve if they aren’t properly nourished from day one.” – Tom Vilsack, United States Secretary of Agriculture
The Backpack Program ensures that chronically hungry children have food on the weekend. The Backpack Program is currently serving more than 100 children who have been identified by school personnel as food insecure. The project runs for 30 weeks throughout the school year, from October until June. We currently partner with Bailey, Oak, Momot, CVES, and Chazy Elementary Schools. The long-term outcomes for this project are improved physical, cognitive and social growth.
The Backpack Program is funded through the fundraising efforts of the Community Action Angels. The largest fundraisers throughout the year are the annual Golf Tournament and the Cards & Collectibles events, which cover almost half of the cost of the program. The rest is funded by corporate donations and individual donors like you! The cost to sponsor one child for the school year rose in 2023 from $183 to over $300.
“My kid loves getting it. He runs outside with the biggest smile.” - Parent of Participating Child
Fostering Komfort
The Fostering Komfort project was born out of the surge of children entering foster care in our region. Our goal is to provide a backpack with comfort items for children entering into foster care or transitioning between foster homes. Each backpack has age-appropriate items so the child can be more comfortable in their new environment. The backpacks are tailored to gender and age so they can be distributed appropriately by the Department of Social Services. We have assembled over 200 backpacks since the start of the project in July 2016 and continue to do so based on need.
We have collaborated with other groups in the area on this project including the Plattsburgh Kiwanis Breakfast Club (who named the project) and the Beekmantown Varsity Boys Hockey Team.
When Hannah took in two foster children and saw they came with their things stuffed in garbage bags, she wanted to do something to help.
Safe Sleep Project
For over four years, JCEO has been delivering HALO SleepSack Swaddles to infants born at the University of Vermont Health Care Network- Champlain Valley Physician Hospital at no cost to parents. A HALO SleepSack Swaddle is used over regular sleepwear to take the place of loose blankets. It’s designed to ensure a clear air way and to keep a baby in place while they sleep.
Each year, the Community Action Angels raise funds to provide approximately 900 Halo SleepSack Swaddles and safe sleep educational materials to parents of newborns.
FUNDRAISERS
FUNDRAISERS
Charity Golf Tournament
Since 2006, on the third Friday of every August, JCEO hosts our Charity Golf Tournament. Funds raised go towards Community Action Angels projects. Local individuals and businesses all come together to participate, sponsoring signs, donating raffle items, and participating in the game.
The raffle, which is ongoing throughout the tournament, is open to the public. Volunteers and players receive a free lunch. More information can be found here!
Cards & Collectibles
Since 2019, Plattsburgh Cards and Collectibles show is a biannual extravaganza held on the third Saturday of every May and October at the Champlain Centre Mall. Dozens of vendors showcase a treasure trove of handmade items, collectibles, and memorabilia - a diverse range of items to explore and add to your collection. But it's not just about the goods — this event also hosts an exciting raffle, and often has special guest appearances.
Proceeds from vendor table fees and the raffle go directly to supporting the Community Action Angels. Learn more about the show here!
Join Us!
The Community Action Angels are always looking for new members and new ways to collaborate with our community. Please use the form below to request more information.
If you’re looking to apply as a volunteer, use this form instead.