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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Angel Squad braves the weather to help make a dream come true

By: Doug Speirs

Posted: 12/7/2011 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Sandy Bell (right) is a 16-year veteran. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

If you ask my wife and my kids and my friends and my colleagues and the people I ram with my shopping cart in the snack aisle at Safeway, they'll agree on one thing.

I'm no angel.

Your typical angel lounges around on clouds, strumming harps and thinking pure thoughts; whereas I spend my time lying on the couch, watching professional football and wondering how loud I have to yell before someone brings me a beer and a grilled-cheese sandwich.

But once a year, everything changes. Once a year, I'm transformed from a middle-aged, overweight newspaper columnist into a middle-aged, overweight newspaper columnist in a billowing white gown, with fuzzy little wings strapped on his back and a sparkly silver halo stuck on top of his official British Open golf cap.

On Tuesday morning, despite the very real risk of dying from exposure, I pulled my third tour of duty with the Misericordia Health Centre's Angel Squad as it descended on Maryland Bridge -- renamed the Maryland Bridge of Angels for the fundraising campaign -- to flap my arms like a lunatic and entice rush-hour motorists to pull over and open their wallets for a great cause.

Now in its 16th year, the Angel Squad's heavenly mission is to raise funds for a one-of-a-kind project -- a rooftop garden and solarium for the urgent care centre's long-term residents.

You meet a classy group of people when you hang out with angels. For example, Sylvia Chidlow, a clerk with the Easy Street Rehabilitation Program, loves being an angel so much she made her own wings.

"It gets me into the Christmas spirit," Sylvia said, her teeth chattering. "I didn't even sleep last night. I had to make sure my wings were good to go. I glued all the feathers on, one by one. Turkey feathers give you the sturdiness you need. I'm from up north, so I know."

Sandy Bell, director of quality and patient safety at Misericordia, has been strapping on the wings and handing out free coffee every December for each of the last 16 years.

"I'm very proud to be an angel," she beamed. "My mother is a resident in long-term care. She's 91 and has lived at Misericordia for the past three years. The rooftop garden will give the residents a quiet, natural environment where they can sit and enjoy fresh air in a park-like atmosphere."

For Lois Bosc, a dietitian, being an angel is a family affair -- she was flanked in the biting cold by daughters Diane, 17, and Chantale, 15, both St. Mary's Academy students.

"They're good kids," Lois confirmed. "They signed up without me telling them. We shined their halos last night."

Hanging out at street level was inspiring, but taking a tour of the snowy rooftop to view the site of the garden, scheduled to open next summer, was heavenly.

Patti Smith, executive director of the Misericordia Health Centre Foundation, is praying the angels top last year's three-day record donation total of $65,000. "We need $300,000 more to finish the garden," Patti explained, a shiny halo bobbling on her head. "The price tag is $1 million. We have commitments for $700,000."

The heavenly news is the Angel Squad will be flying again today and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., so drop in and donate. You'll get a warm, fuzzy feeling, along with a copy of the Free Press and a free cup of Starbucks coffee.

When I turned in my wings and halo, Patti smiled warmly and said: "Thanks, Doug, you're a good guy."

I froze her with a steely gaze. "No," I finally grunted. "I'm just an angel!"

doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca

C'mon, be an angel!

YOU can drop off donations with the Angel Squad today and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Misericordia Health Centre. The angels are happy to accept cheques and credit cards.

Or pick up the phone and call the donation hotline at 22-ANGEL. Another way to help the rooftop garden grow is to donate online (at www.misericordiafoundation.com).

You can also open your wallets today at 201 Portage Food Court and Winnipeg Square Starbucks from 7:45-10 a.m. or on Thursday at the University of Winnipeg's Centennial Hall from 8:15-10:15 a.m.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 7, 2011 A2

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