Newsletters

This is the first newsletter that the J.O.S.H. Foundation has produced. Even though it is a very difficult time of year for us with the second anniversary of losing our Josh having just passed, we are at the same time very excited about all the progress we've recently made in getting closer to making our first project the Angel of Hope Statue and Memorial Gardens a reality in the Sykesville/Eldersburg community.

We wanted to let everyone that has been so supportive whether it be through a monetary contribution to the foundation or assisting in passing along our information and helping us reach out to contacts within the community and local government that otherwise we may never have been able to make without your support know the new developments we've made.

I have been contacting members of the community, local and state government with countless mailings and emails from the start in hopes to receive their support in bringing the Angel of Hope to the Sykesville/Eldersburg area. Local Delegate Susan Krebs was gracious enough to recommend I get in contact with Paula Langmead, CEO of Springfield State Hospital. Upon contacting Ms. Langmead, she was kind enough to grant me a tour of the Springfield State Hospital property. She took the time to show me a variety of possible land sites that would be appropriate for the Angel to call home. I have from the beginning of the concept believed that the Springfield grounds were the perfect location for the Angel.

Now, we begin the tedious process of negotiating and securing the piece of land through all the government channels. I always knew that having the Angel in place would bring a source of comfort and support to the sadly growing bereaved community in our area. I'm happy to say that I have received nothing but positive responses from the leaders and local businesses in our community. I have been given letters of support and offers of whatever assistance they can offer by figures such as the Governor himself, the First Lady, and many local representatives.

Now that we have a potential land site in the works, my focus turns back to fundraising. It will be important for us to bring in contributions so that when the final land acquisition is complete we are ready to bring the Angel to life. A local architect has been kind enough to offer his services in drawing up plans to put the Angel in the location we have chosen. I will be working closely with him to create a peaceful, serene environment for the Angel Statue and the surrounding memorial gardens.

Over the next few months, you will again see our focus on the fundraising aspect of the Foundation as well as continuing forward with the timeline to have the Angel completed. As the timeline and actual planning of the Angel progresses I will begin getting information out to the community in regards to purchasing memorial bricks that will make up the "walkway of love" and contain the names of children who departed far too early from their parents, families , and friends. My goal is to send out updates as often as possible, or when a major development in the project takes place. I appreciate all the support we have received from the family, friends and local community. Every little bit helps make this dream a reality, which in turn helps the bereaved community find some hope and comfort within the community.

Please feel free to call or email me if you have any questions concerning The J.O.S.H. Foundation and or The Angel of Hope statue and memorial gardens.

Sincerely,
Cindy Hughes
President and Chairman,
The J.O.S.H. Foundation
j.o.s.h.foundation@adelphia.net
410-549-0866

Do not stand and weep
I do not sleep
I am a thousands winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on refined grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circle flight
I am the soft star that shines at night
Do not cry
I did not die...