MAF Honors Kihm Winship
as Volunteer of the Year - 2012

Each year, the MAF asks its volunteers to vote by secret ballot on who they believe was the Volunteer of the Year for the preceding year. Two-Thousand Twelve was no exception.  MAF is proud to announce this year’s winner of its Volunteer of the Year – 2012 is MAF Senior Writer, Kihm Winship.

MAF President, Herb Knoll, first met Kihm when Herb’s sister Donna began dating and eventually marrying Kihm's brother Kent Winship some forty plus years ago.  For the pass four years, Kihm has volunteered his time and talent as a senior writer for the foundation…interviewing and composing the majority of the articles and Angel Artist profiles which have appeared on the foundation’s website (www.MichellesAngels.com). 

Speaking of his telephonic interviews with the Angel Artists, Kihm has frequently mentioned how much he enjoys getting to know the artists and then writing  their profiles.  Kihm has added, “The only problem is how after interviewing the artists, I go out and download so much of their music, I’m going to have to remortgage my home.”

Commenting on his previous inter-actions with Kihm, Angel Artist Jon Michaels offered: “Every time I have had the opportunity to chat with Kihm Winship, I have always been impressed with the kindness and professionalism Kihm showed me.  A wonderful writer and person!”

Kihm started volunteering his time by writing for the Michelle’s Angels during the summer of 2009.  And he hasn’t stopped since.  Speaking about Kihm’s contribution to the foundation, MAF president and founder Herb Knoll offered; “Kihm is such a joy to work with.  Not only is Kihm a gifted writer and a charitable member of the human race, Kihm is as down to earth as people come. When you’re with him, it becomes very obvious how much Kihm cares about others…especially those who are suffering.”

As in previous years, 2012’s competition was fierce.  Every vote mattered.   Among the results, Angel Artist Kim Parent of Nashville, Tennessee and MAF’s Officer Kent Winship of Pendleton, NY were finalists. 

In addition to the appreciation and recognition being afforded Kihm, he will received a limited edition Emmett Kelly, Jr. collectable china clown from the personal collection of the foundation’s namesake…Michelle Knoll.

Professionally, Kihm serves as a copywriter for Momentum Worldwide in Skaneateles, New York.  Kihm lives in Skaneateles with his bride Laurie. They have one adult daughter named Abbie.  

Those wishing to join the ranks of the MAF Volunteers can do so by viewing the article on the right side of the MAF’s website’s homepage.

A Christmas Card For Gabby
from Country Music Superstar...Blake Shelton

Facing the final days of a year-long battle with cancer, twenty-two year old Gabrielle Indelicato of Lanoka Harbor, N.J., had one final wish… a Christmas wish she prayed would come true. Gabby wanted to meet recording star Blake Shelton.

Having lost her husband (Gabby’s father) to cancer seven years earlier, Gabby’s mother, Debbie Indelicato, and her younger sister Alexis didn’t want to see Gabby’s Christmas wish go unfulfilled.  Together, they looked to others for help in making Gabby’s wish come true, knowing Gabby might not live until Christmas, her favorite holiday.(MORE)

America and the World Mourns the loss of
Children and Teachers in Newtown, CT

December 14, 2012 will long be remembered for the senseless loss of life which took place at an elementary school in Newtown, CT when twenty children and six of their teachers lives were tragically taken from them. Please take a moment and hug your children, show your appreciation for all teachers and pray for those who we all lost in Newtown as well as for the families who will miss them.

 MAF Honors Susan Almon-Pesch
 as Volunteer of the Year – 2011

Each year, the MAF asks its volunteers to vote by secret ballot on who they believe was the Volunteer of the Year for the preceeding year.  MAF is proud to announce this year’s winner of its Volunteer of the Year - 2011 is the MAF PR Director, Susan Almon-Pesch. 

MAF President, Herb Knoll, first met Almon-Pesch in 1985 when she headed up her ad agency, Almon Associates Communications, Inc. in Buffalo, New York.  As the years passed, each moved on to new career positions in different states.  Then in 2009, after many years of being apart, Knoll knew the foundation needed to recruit a volunteer with public relations’ experience.  With a time sensitive deadline in mind, Knoll called Almon-Pesch to request a press release for the organization’s first “Gentlemen Hug Your Brides Day” on March 4 of that year.  Since that call, Almon-Pesch has served as the “voice of MAF” and contributed more than 20 press releases.  Most recently MAF’s mission was shared in an article penned by Senior Editor, Bob Frick titled “Use your skills to help others” in Kiplinger’s Guide to Retirement Planning 2012.”

“With our annual awards we single out individuals who work behind the scenes to help others and make a difference. Susan was the clear winner of such recognition. The competition for the Volunteer of the Year was intense. It is fitting to pay tribute to three other finalists: MAF Vice President, Randy Mitchelson of Estero, Florida; MAF Legal Counsel and Board Member, Deirdre M. Dineen of E. Greenbush, New York and MAF IT Director, Mike Bailey of Delanson, New York.” 

In addition to the appreciation and recognition being afforded Susan, she received a limited edition Emmett Kelly, Jr. collectable china clown from the personal collection of the foundation’s namesake…Michelle Knoll.

Those wishing to join the ranks of the MAF Volunteers can do so by viewing the article on the right side of the MAF website’s homepage.

Todd M. Zgoda, CPA
Receives MAF President's Award

Without the help of our volunteers, the Michelle's Angels Foundation would not be able to fulfill its mission. Each and every volunteer is a blessing.

As one way of saying "thank you," in 2011 the Michelle's Angels awarded the first ever MAF President's Award to our PR consultant Susan Almon-Pesch, the voice of the MAF.

This year we recognize another volunteer with the MAF President's Award, a man who works tirelessly behind the scenes, Todd Zgoda. Todd is a CPA who handles our books, prepares our financial statements, writes our checks, does the banking and files our tax returns. This is not glamorous work and Todd rarely hears applause. But his contribution to the foundation's business is vital and as President, I am so grateful to Todd for all that he does and the consistent excellence of his work.

For these reasons and more, the Michelle's Angels Foundation proudly salutes Todd M. Zgoda, it's second MAF President's Award honoree.

Singer-songwriter Ken Harrell’s Gifts
Free Downloads of “Because of the Brave”

“We all live in the land of the free . . . because of the brave.”  These are among the lyrics of a fresh, foot stomping and newly released song performed by Nashville singer-songwriter and MAF Music Director Ken Harrell in his tribute to those who ever served in the United States military. 

To learn more including how to you can enjoy a FREE download of this musical salute to those who serve, click HERE.

Doing Good Works, Not Paperwork   

Our own Herb Knoll speaks of the government red tape small foundations face when trying to help others...as captured by Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine's Robert Frick.  More...

MAF Stages 2nd Angel Artists Appreciation
 & Celebration Concert

The weather was a bit snowy February 10, 2011…but that didn’t deter the fans and supporters from coming out and supporting the Michelle's Angels Foundation, Inc. (MAF) as it hosted the 2nd Angel Artists Appreciation and Celebration Concert at the famed Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee. Led by MAF Music Director Ken Harrell, guests enjoyed a two hour celebration as MAF Angel Artists performed personal favorites as well as charted hits. Angel Artists joining Ken were Marcia Ramirez, Suzanne Hicks and MAF long standing supporter A. J. Masters. More...

Angel Saves Boy

(Boston Bar, BC, Canada) Headlines and news accounts broadcasted around the world in January 2010 told the remarkable story of “Angel”…an 18 month old adopted Golden Retriever who saved the life of her owner, Austin Forman (age 11). With Angel by his side, Austin stepped outside his rural mountain residence in Boston Bar, British Columbia, Canada, (about 130 miles north of Vancouver) to gather some fireplace wood when the cougar attacked. But before the cougar could get to Austin, Angel leaped into action, bravely engaging the cougar herself. A horrific battle ensued under the family’s deck as Austin ran into his home and excitedly explained to his mother Sherri Forman how “there’s a cougar eating Angel.”  More...