Why was The Secret Angel started?
Lots of reasons, but mainly we wanted to be more proactive disciples. Like many, we have always given to several charities including our church. At times, we weren't sure that our money was being used to further the body of Christ. The Secret Angel is a gift to the point of the pain with $0 administrative costs. This program allows us to see, feel, and touch other Christians in distress. Quite honestly, I think sometimes that we get as much out of it as our recipients. This is also something that we can get our children involved in. We spend time around the dinner table as a family reading and discussing the various needs. Our children have input as to which situation we will financially support.
What is The Secret Angel?
It's a Christian charity founded in September of 2006. We help Christians in need by giving one time gifts or financial support. Email letters are sent out describing the needs and "angels" donate money to support these needs. The Secret Angel is facilitator that puts it all together.
How many people are involved in The Secret Angel?
I currently send the emails to approximately 50 people. This includes clergy, people who help me locate recipients, advisers to the program, and possible donors. So far, we've had more than 25 families and individuals donate money.
How do you find possible recipients?
I have some fantastic partners who are in the community that are looking for people with needs. After they locate them, they call me and tell me about them and I go meet them.
It's called "Secret," but how do you meet these possible recipients without them knowing why you are meeting them?
That can be tricky. But we've been able to do it thus far. Most of the time, I drive to their houses with their pastor and we just stop by and talk to them. It's not an interview, but more of me just meeting them and letting them share with me what they want to about themselves.
How are they given the donation without knowing about The Secret Angel?
The way we are handling that now is that the church or organization we are working with will take the credit for the gift. They are obviously aware of the recipient's pain and they simply offer to help them with their problem. That's why they're in business, to help their people.
Does The Secret Angel just give recipients money?
No, we don't believe that just giving them the money is the best way to do it. We actually make the repairs, or pay the rent or whatever the need is instead of trusting the recipient to use the money as it was planned.
If I'm touched by a particular story, can I specify to fund that particular person?
Of course. That is the vision for the program. We are all passionate about different things and causes. I write the story so you can decide if it's something that touches you and you want to offer more support. If you want to find out other ways to help this person you can contact me directly.
Are you looking for one time gifts, or multiple commitments from people?
I'm looking for either. I'm hoping some people will decide to help out several times a year when they feel called to do so. Others might only want to make one donation. One person has said they would like to give a certain amount each month to be used by the program.
What is the minimum donation amount?
The Secret Angel will accept gifts as small as $200. Even if you don't have a specific recipient in mind, we'll combine it with other donations to make it work.
Have you considered letting Angels "adopt" a person and/or teaming up on a need?
This was suggested by one of you. Maybe you and your family want to cover an entire need on your own at Christmas or Holy Week. Maybe you have a group of friends that wants to go in together on a particular story, or a company donation. This would be great. The Secret Angel is simply a facilitator for matching needs with help. However we are able to accomplish that goal is wonderful.
When I'm interested in giving or have more questions, what is the next step?
Call me or email me. We can talk over the phone or I will come see you. THE SECRET ANGEL WILL NEVER PRESSURE YOU TO DONATE.
Is the Secret Angel a 501c3 registered charitable organization (which allows donations to be tax deductible)?
No, it is not.
Why not make it a 501c3?
I have a full time job separate of The Secret Angel. I'm not interested in creating a big organization or creating additional work for me. If by chance, this becomes big someday and I can dedicate more time to it, I would seriously consider making it a 501c3.
If we are not a 501c3, how is my donation tax deductible?
Donation checks are written to the partner organizations that The Secret Angel teams up with such as The Dallas Leadership Foundation, The Voice of Hope, or churches which are registered 501c3 organizations. They take in the money and handle the distribution to the recipient. At year end, you will get an accounting of your donation just like you do from your church.
Are you and your family contributing to this program?
Yes, we have contributed to most every need.
Do you always plan on being a part of the contribution?
At this time yes. Dawn and I have decided that this program will be the main vehicle for our charitable giving for the foreseeable future.
Are you out looking for other people to contribute?
No, I'm really not. I have no current interest in trying to convince people to contribute to this program. But there are more needs than money right now. We need more support. It's my hope that we will pick up more angels by word of mouth.
Can I tell others about the program?
Yes, if you know of someone who is looking for a more direct way to share their blessings with other Christians, please tell them about it.
Are you open for suggestions and new ideas for the program?
Yes, I'm always interested in good advice. To make it easy, I will meet you in person and answer your questions and solicit your advice.
How often are you going to be sending our emails of possible recipients?
At the most it will be three times per year. It may be less in the future if the number of recipients slows down or when we run out of money.
Can I get more email updates of how donations are going?
YES and No. I am ULTRA sensitive with sending too many emails. Everyday I try and reduce the number of emails I receive. So I have been extremely reluctant to send a lot of emails. For now, people that want more information or updates should just ask me for an update. I'd love to tell you much more details about how the program is going.
ALSO, at anytime, please tell me if you don't want to be on the email list anymore. I know everyone has their own charities and it won't offend me. I'd prefer to take you off than for you to tire of my emails.
What is your vision for The Secret Angel?
Like many, I've occasionally dreamed about what I would do if I won the lottery. If you know me, you know the first thing that I would probably do is buy a new car, the next thing I had envisioned was The Secret Angel Program. I envisioned a large charitable foundation that went out and secretly helped Christians in need. Well, I'm 50 now and have come to the realization that I'm not going to win the lottery. So instead of thinking so big, I started The Secret Angel purely planning on using our families charitable giving as its only source. When I shared this vision with a couple close friends, they said that they would like to be involved in this and help out.
So it's hard to say what the vision is for the future. I know it's in the hands of the Lord to decide. It might turn into something big, or it might just end up being my family's way to share our blessings? Who knows, but isn't it exciting to find out?
God Bless.
Tom
Lots of reasons, but mainly we wanted to be more proactive disciples. Like many, we have always given to several charities including our church. At times, we weren't sure that our money was being used to further the body of Christ. The Secret Angel is a gift to the point of the pain with $0 administrative costs. This program allows us to see, feel, and touch other Christians in distress. Quite honestly, I think sometimes that we get as much out of it as our recipients. This is also something that we can get our children involved in. We spend time around the dinner table as a family reading and discussing the various needs. Our children have input as to which situation we will financially support.
What is The Secret Angel?
It's a Christian charity founded in September of 2006. We help Christians in need by giving one time gifts or financial support. Email letters are sent out describing the needs and "angels" donate money to support these needs. The Secret Angel is facilitator that puts it all together.
How many people are involved in The Secret Angel?
I currently send the emails to approximately 50 people. This includes clergy, people who help me locate recipients, advisers to the program, and possible donors. So far, we've had more than 25 families and individuals donate money.
How do you find possible recipients?
I have some fantastic partners who are in the community that are looking for people with needs. After they locate them, they call me and tell me about them and I go meet them.
It's called "Secret," but how do you meet these possible recipients without them knowing why you are meeting them?
That can be tricky. But we've been able to do it thus far. Most of the time, I drive to their houses with their pastor and we just stop by and talk to them. It's not an interview, but more of me just meeting them and letting them share with me what they want to about themselves.
How are they given the donation without knowing about The Secret Angel?
The way we are handling that now is that the church or organization we are working with will take the credit for the gift. They are obviously aware of the recipient's pain and they simply offer to help them with their problem. That's why they're in business, to help their people.
Does The Secret Angel just give recipients money?
No, we don't believe that just giving them the money is the best way to do it. We actually make the repairs, or pay the rent or whatever the need is instead of trusting the recipient to use the money as it was planned.
If I'm touched by a particular story, can I specify to fund that particular person?
Of course. That is the vision for the program. We are all passionate about different things and causes. I write the story so you can decide if it's something that touches you and you want to offer more support. If you want to find out other ways to help this person you can contact me directly.
Are you looking for one time gifts, or multiple commitments from people?
I'm looking for either. I'm hoping some people will decide to help out several times a year when they feel called to do so. Others might only want to make one donation. One person has said they would like to give a certain amount each month to be used by the program.
What is the minimum donation amount?
The Secret Angel will accept gifts as small as $200. Even if you don't have a specific recipient in mind, we'll combine it with other donations to make it work.
Have you considered letting Angels "adopt" a person and/or teaming up on a need?
This was suggested by one of you. Maybe you and your family want to cover an entire need on your own at Christmas or Holy Week. Maybe you have a group of friends that wants to go in together on a particular story, or a company donation. This would be great. The Secret Angel is simply a facilitator for matching needs with help. However we are able to accomplish that goal is wonderful.
When I'm interested in giving or have more questions, what is the next step?
Call me or email me. We can talk over the phone or I will come see you. THE SECRET ANGEL WILL NEVER PRESSURE YOU TO DONATE.
Is the Secret Angel a 501c3 registered charitable organization (which allows donations to be tax deductible)?
No, it is not.
Why not make it a 501c3?
I have a full time job separate of The Secret Angel. I'm not interested in creating a big organization or creating additional work for me. If by chance, this becomes big someday and I can dedicate more time to it, I would seriously consider making it a 501c3.
If we are not a 501c3, how is my donation tax deductible?
Donation checks are written to the partner organizations that The Secret Angel teams up with such as The Dallas Leadership Foundation, The Voice of Hope, or churches which are registered 501c3 organizations. They take in the money and handle the distribution to the recipient. At year end, you will get an accounting of your donation just like you do from your church.
Are you and your family contributing to this program?
Yes, we have contributed to most every need.
Do you always plan on being a part of the contribution?
At this time yes. Dawn and I have decided that this program will be the main vehicle for our charitable giving for the foreseeable future.
Are you out looking for other people to contribute?
No, I'm really not. I have no current interest in trying to convince people to contribute to this program. But there are more needs than money right now. We need more support. It's my hope that we will pick up more angels by word of mouth.
Can I tell others about the program?
Yes, if you know of someone who is looking for a more direct way to share their blessings with other Christians, please tell them about it.
Are you open for suggestions and new ideas for the program?
Yes, I'm always interested in good advice. To make it easy, I will meet you in person and answer your questions and solicit your advice.
How often are you going to be sending our emails of possible recipients?
At the most it will be three times per year. It may be less in the future if the number of recipients slows down or when we run out of money.
Can I get more email updates of how donations are going?
YES and No. I am ULTRA sensitive with sending too many emails. Everyday I try and reduce the number of emails I receive. So I have been extremely reluctant to send a lot of emails. For now, people that want more information or updates should just ask me for an update. I'd love to tell you much more details about how the program is going.
ALSO, at anytime, please tell me if you don't want to be on the email list anymore. I know everyone has their own charities and it won't offend me. I'd prefer to take you off than for you to tire of my emails.
What is your vision for The Secret Angel?
Like many, I've occasionally dreamed about what I would do if I won the lottery. If you know me, you know the first thing that I would probably do is buy a new car, the next thing I had envisioned was The Secret Angel Program. I envisioned a large charitable foundation that went out and secretly helped Christians in need. Well, I'm 50 now and have come to the realization that I'm not going to win the lottery. So instead of thinking so big, I started The Secret Angel purely planning on using our families charitable giving as its only source. When I shared this vision with a couple close friends, they said that they would like to be involved in this and help out.
So it's hard to say what the vision is for the future. I know it's in the hands of the Lord to decide. It might turn into something big, or it might just end up being my family's way to share our blessings? Who knows, but isn't it exciting to find out?
God Bless.
Tom