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May 2019 Newsletter
brought to you by
Contents:
"Hey Bill, What's with the Bike??" -
Bill DaGiau
Meet Our Board- Buddy Hampson
Chris Pets for Vets - How to Approach a Dog- Jo Ann Clark
Rye By The Sea 5K Walk/Run or Duathlon
Teddy Bear Drive is OPEN!
Hampton Falls Art on the Common
Amazon Smile You Shop We Benefit
Annie's Angels Program Information
"Hey Bill, What's With the Bike??"
Bill DaGiau
 As the Founder of Annie's Angels, I have obviously been here since the very beginning. I never really thought about it but I sometimes take for granted that you all know as much as I do about Annie's Angels. Our beginnings, our history, our present and our ideas for the future. After a few eye opening conversations recently, I realize that it is wrong of me to assume that you know (cause you know what happens then). That being said, over the next few months I'm going to use this platform to revisit some of the "old days" and connect some of the dots that may be missing in your Annie's Angels experience. Today let's talk about Mabel, Gabriela and Loretta Grace or as my wife calls them, my mistresses of summer. These three bicycles have carried me nearly 46,000 miles, that's almost twice around the equator, all in the name of health, hope and humanity. These three bicycles have helped me raise millions of dollars for medical research and to help our Angel families. Here's how the bicycle connects to Annie's Angels today. Since 2000, before there was an Annie's Angels I rode many miles participating in many cycling events to help raise money for research. I rode events to benefit research for AIDS, Cancer, Heart Disease, Diabetes and many more. I could come to you once and ask for a donation for one of these events but when it came time for the second or third event, fundraising became difficult. The original concept of Annie's Angels was to support participation in cycling fundraisers to research cures and treatments for various diseases. I set out to help people with a disease or illness by supporting research into their sickness. We all have family members who suffer with a disease or illness and we see how it affects the entire family unit. Research to cure those illnesses seemed to be the way to help. After hearing stories from so many families about how they were having trouble paying bills, keeping food on the table, etc… because of an illness, I realized that even if scientists discovered a cure for a disease today, it wouldn’t help the families I was riding for. It was then that I changed my focus from research to family care. I started a grant program to help those families put food on the table, pay household bills and medical bills not covered by insurance. We started helping families produce fundraisers to help them help themselves and pay their own bills. Our mission today is to help local families struggling financially through life threatening disease, illness or disability connecting neighbor to neighbor; friend to friend and business to business in a caring fundraising network. Under the Annie’s Angels umbrella we’ve started programs for holistic healthcare, Parkinson’s, Chris Pets for Vets, Music Therapy, and others while maintaining participation in some research events like walks and bicycle rides. I hope this connects the dots from our cycling past to today's Annie's Angels. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us, please email bill@anniesangels.org
I'd be happy to meet, buy you a coffee and answer any questions you may have.
Meet Our Board - Buddy Hampson
 Buddy Hampson is currently a Personal Lines Account Manager with Cross Insurance in Portsmouth. Buddy has been the financial services industry since 2007 and worked in banking for over 10 years prior to moving into property & casualty insurance. Buddy was introduced to Annie’s Angels when she met Bill, who was a client at the bank she worked for. She was intrigued by Bill’s passion for his work, and once she learned the ways Annie’s Angels was making such an impact in the lives of local families, she knew this was an organization and mission she wanted to be part of. Buddy is originally from Cape Town, South Africa but has been in the United States for over 12 years and currently lives in Greenland, NH with her husband and two young boys.
Thanks to YOU we are able to ease some of the stresses that come with a doctors diagnosis. We just  can't do this good work without YOUR support. I ask that you please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Annie's Angels
or visit the Our Families
tab on the website and select a particular family to help. Get updates about "your family" on the website or follow them on social media to see how your contributions are working, and thanks again for your continued support.
Chris Pets for Vets - How to Approach a Dog
By - Jo Ann Clark
As editor for Chris’ Pets for Vets, I like to provide useful information each month. I thought this month’s article “How to Approach a Dog” offered on Cocheco Valley Humane Society Facebook page would be beneficial to many dog owners and their guests with the warmer weather coming (hopefully soon!).  As the weather continues to get nicer, more and more dog owners will be out and about with their four-legged companions. With so many opportunities to interact with adorable pups, it’s important to remember that an unfamiliar dog must always be approached carefully. To ensure you’re taking the right steps to facilitate positive interactions, here are some tips for meeting a new or unfamiliar dog. DO: Ask permission
Always make sure you ask a dog’s owner for permission before approaching them. An owner knows their dog best, and will be able to tell whether their dog is comfortable interacting with you. Just like people, dogs can be more hesitant to interact with certain individuals or in certain scenarios. Don’t take it personally if an owner says no when you ask their permission! Their dog may be fearful of strangers or particularly protective, and the owner is likely trying to keep everyone safe. Additionally, if you cannot identify a dog’s owner, do not approach them! DON’T: Run directly towards them
Running or walking straight up to a dog can be interpreted as threatening. Just like you wouldn’t love a stranger running directly up to you on the street, dogs can get nervous with head-on interactions. Dogs tend to prefer to be approached from the side, in a relaxed manner. Make sure a dog can see you when you’re approaching, as surprising a dog can cause a fearful reaction. DO: Remain calm and relaxed
As hard as it may be to keep your cool around the cutest doggo you’ve ever seen, it’s important to ensure the dog remains calm. Flailing gestures, clapping, snapping, high-pitched voices, rapid speech, and loud noises are all things that could cause a fearful reaction from a dog. Although it may only seem right to greet that “cutie-wootie-pie” on the street with your best baby talk, dogs often associated high-pitched or fast-paced speech with distress. Your best bet is to approach a dog “naturally.” This means in a relaxed manner, with loose body language. The dog will sense if you tense up or act nervous, and that can make them wary of your approach. Once you approach, be sure not to crouch or lean over the dog. It can make them feel trapped and uncomfortable. Instead, remain standing with an upright posture or kneel or squat down near the dog, ideally to the side of them at a respectful distance.  DON’T: Stare at them
Much like humans, dogs don’t like to be stared at. Direct, unbroken eye contact c
an seem threatening to canines and can elicit a defensive or fearful response. However, dogs also become uncomfortable if you never look at them while interacting. It is best to occasionally meet a dog’s gaze with soft, indirect eye contact and a friendly, neutral expression. DO: Let them come to you
Once you’ve calmly approached an unfamiliar dog, let them make the first move to make contact. You can hold the back of your hand in a slightly extended position for them to sniff, but don’t shove your fist or fingers in their face. Subtly extending your hand gives the dog a chance to sniff you if they feel comfortable, but doesn’t force them to interact. If a dog sniffs your hand, don’t immediately assume they want to be pet. Pay attention to their body language. A curved body, nudging of your hand, wagging tail, excited circling of you, or a play bow (forward bow with front legs extended) can all be positive indicators that a dog is becoming comfortable with you. A tense body or glare, snarling, growling, baring of teeth, or a high, stiff tail (even if it’s wagging) can be signs that a dog is uncomfortable with further interaction. If you notice these or other signs of fear or discomfort don’t jerk your hand away or suddenly jump up. Slowly withdraw your hand if it’s extended and calmly back away. Remember, every dog is different and will display different signs when they’re uncomfortable. That’s why it’s important to communicate with a dog’s owner before an interaction, so they can keep an eye on their dog’s body language. DON’T: Pat the top of their head
If a dog indicates that they would like to be pet or initiate touch by nudging or rubbing against you, that’s when you can pet them. Many dogs dislike being pet on the top of their heads, even if they tolerate it from their owners. From a stranger, this move can feel scary or threatening because the dog cannot see your hand. Instead, pet the dog on their shoulder, chest or back. If the dog seems comfortable with this contact, you can gradually work your way towards their head and face, but only if they remain comfortable with the contact. Remember, some dogs don’t tolerate being pet by unfamiliar people. Don’t take it personally if a dog rejects you or is uncomfortable with physical contact! Every dog is different, just like us humans! Meeting a dog can be a rewarding experience when done properly. Unfortunately, too many dog bites or acts of aggression occur because a dog has been approached incorrectly. Take precautions and keep these tips in mind the next time you approach an unfamiliar dog, and teach children how to be respectful of canine companions. This will set you and the dogs in your community up for success and positive interactions!” Source: Cocheco Valley Humane Society, Dover, NH April 14, 2019
Registration Is OPEN!!
Teddy Bear Drive is Open!
Get to Trends Gift Gallery now to get your Teddy Bear and Trends will donate one to Annie's Angels for Boston Children's Hospital. Now through June 30! I know, I know the poster says June 1 but we got a late start so we're extending the sale until June 30 OR until they're gone. Don't miss out. 
 HAMPTON FALLS ART ON THE COMMON
An outdoor art exhibition connecting our community
The Town of Hampton Falls, Department of Parks and Recreation announces the 3rd annual
“Hampton Falls Art on the Common,” a juried, outdoor art festival in historic Hampton Falls, NH on Saturday, June 1, from 10 AM – 5 PM on Hampton Falls Common, 1 Lincoln Ave, Hampton Falls, NH. (Rain date is June 2).
You are invited to enjoy browsing original fine art from professional New England artists. Artists submit their art to be juried and only the best are accepted for this exciting exhibition. It will be a perfect day to bring your family and friends as Hampton Falls celebrates the community with children’s art, music, food, and a children’s arts/crafts table. Artists can choose to donate a portion of the proceeds of this exhibition to benefit Annie’s Angels Memorial Fund.
The Call to Artists is open for artists to apply. Awards will be given for Best in Show, Best in individual mediums, and Honorable Mention. Visit our website to apply today!
https://artonthecommon.com/juried-fine-art-show/call-to-artists/
Contact: Carol Whalen, Show Director Contact: Norma Torti, Marketing
whalen.carol@gmail.com
normatorti@gmail.com
603-969-7704 603-674-4023
Visit Annie's Angels at our table! Pick up a brochure, learn more about who we are and what we do!
Do you shop online? Do you shop on Amazon? If you do, please click the banner below to enter smile.amazon.com. Be sure to follow this link to Annie's Angels
and select us as your preferred charity! By doing this you will help Annie's Angels raise much needed funds.
You shop, we benefit! It won't cost you a thing. Thanks for your support.
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