Forward In Faith: Angel Heart of Hope moves gala online

For the Angel Heart of Hope Ministry, moving its first fundraising gala online instead of in-person presented opportunity in the midst of trial.

“The benefit of having a virtual event allows us to reach a much broader audience since it will be online, but it does pose various challenges,” said Brenda Muntean, President of Angel Heart of Hope and mother of charity founder, the late Bella Muntean.

“We are so grateful for everyone’s continuing support of children facing life-threatening illnesses. Different options have been discussed in regards to the event with postponing, cancelling or holding it virtually,” she said. “It was a 100 percent unanimous board decision to hold a virtual event in honor of the children who are daily battling life-threatening illnesses, for the same date and time, Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. We want these children to know that the public is fighting beside them, we care, and they are not forgotten.”

Instead of convening at Greer City Hall at that time as originally planned, supporters can now access the event from a link on the website at www.angelheartofhope.org or from the Bella Muntean-Angel Heart of Hope Ministry facebook page.

The virtual event will feature words from Muntean and original guest speakers, Courtney Tipping and Samantha Stacy.

Tipping will share how the Lord has shown His goodness to her family, which includes 10 children (three on earth and seven in heaven), and how she and her husband, Pastor Allen Tipping, have practiced unwavering hope through the seasons of loss and their cancer journey with their child.

A Greenville resident and teacher at Pelham Road Elementary, Stacy will share her experience as a survivor of osteosarcoma–the same form of cancer that Bella battled.

Special music will be presented from Bella recordings and musical artist, Hera Lainey.

“Hera wrote and publicly released a single called ‘Some People Never.’ All of the proceeds from the purchase of this song, at various music sites like iTunes, will be donated to our charity,” Muntean said.

Organizers are asking everyone share the event link on social media to help the charity reach its fundraising goal of $25,000.

Donations can be made on the website even if donors are unable to watch the gala.

Donations in Action
While this is the first official gala fundraiser as a non-profit, the organization has already been ministering to sick children and their families through gift-packed pillowcases, American-girl dolls, Lego sets, gift cards, and other financial assistance.

“Recently, I received a note from a mother whose child and family we sponsored with gifts and a financial donation at Christmas. She wrote: ‘We absolutely can not thank Angel Heart of Hope Ministry enough for all of the Christmas gifts! You guys have been a huge blessing to us for a long time! You guys are definitely providing rainbows in storms. Thank you so much for praying for Addie as well. We know her healing is a miracle and gift. Prayer is our lifeline and you guys have been a huge part of that!’” Muntean said. “We are so blessed and humbled to be on this journey.”

Muntean said families are facing increased challenges in the current environment.

“The coronavirus situation has posed an even greater threat to children facing life-threatening illnesses because many of them have a suppressed immunity due to chemotherapy and other medications,” she said. “In addition, it is crucial for us to raise awareness of the immediate and dire financial needs of these families.

“It was brought to my attention at a recent meeting with Prisma’s philanthropy department that Bella Muntean-Angel Heart of Hope Ministry will be the first non-profit to create a fund with Prisma to help families financially who have a child battling any life-threatening illness, in addition to cancer, and is in active palliative treatment.”

One hundred percent of donations in the fund at Prisma will go the families, providing financial assistance for needs such as rent/mortgage, utilities, grief dinners, and funeral expenses.

“I pray that as Bella opened my eyes to see these needs of children battling life-threatening illnesses around us, that hearts will be touched and people will be blessed by our event. No matter your situation, there is always hope in God,” Muntean said. “Bella taught us to trust God with it all and that is exactly what we are doing: moving forward in faith, just like she did.”

jholcombe@greercitizen.com | 877-2076