Snow Angels Offering to help with Groceries

For several years Kevin Molloy State Farm has sponsored the Snow Angels program where children in Manhattan and New Lenox are matched with senior citizens who can’t shovel their driveways. Two of the Snow Angels are Katie and Ryan Vander Hye and they have been matched with families in Manhattan for the past several years. When the pandemic hit, Cathy Vander Hye, the bonus (step) mom and Kristin Vander Hye, Ryan and Katie’s mom, decided to buy some basic supplies of toilet paper, bottled water, soap, and hand sanitizer and they dropped off the items at the families’ homes. The supplies included a note signed by Katie and Ryan saying that if the people needed anything else, to please let them know.

“The kids know the two families through the Snow Angel program. We thought they might need some assistance so decided to drop off some supplies,” Cathy Vander Hye said. “I just thought it was important to let them know we were here to help if they needed it,” she said.

Kristin Vander Hye, echoed Cathy’s comments about wanting to help “their” families. “I think everyone is trying to help out each other, and the kids have been Snow Angels for the families for the past two years and we wanted to make sure they were okay. Especially if they have family members who can’t see them or help out because of the stay at home orders,” Kristin said.

Kevin Molloy found out about how the Vander Hye’s had helped when he received an email from Jill Fruwirth. Her mother, Patricia, was one of the recipients of the help from the Vander Hyes,” Kevin said.

Kristin and Cathy then asked Kim O’Neill, who coordinates the snow angel program for Molloy State Farm, for a list of all the seniors. A letter was sent out to all the senior citizens in the Snow Angel program asking if they needed assistance with groceries.

At the same time this was happening, Kevin was contacted by Melissa Ballard and Alicia Yates asking if they could get involved in a program to help senior citizens.

Now all four women, Kristin, Cathy, Melissa and Alicia are going to be available to do the grocery shopping for any of the seniors who respond to the letter.

“They took a simple snow angel program and turned it into a way to help at even a higher level. All letters were mailed on Friday and we’re just waiting on the seniors to call one of the four ladies to put any grocery orders in. Truly genius on their part,” Molloy said.

“Kevin is one of the most selfless people I have ever met. He inspires us to be better people, which is why we wanted to expand on the Snow Angel program,” Cathy said.