Loretta and the Hess Foundation

Last week, a small group of us were preparing for an Angels’ Place board meeting.  As part of that preparation we played a ten-year-old video about the founding of Angels’ Place.

The video is powerful in that four of the five founders of our organization tell the story in their own words.  Their passion, humility, and faith are palpable.

Reflecting on that video, Loretta Nagle Ryan told us another story -- one summer day, she was entertaining her young granddaughter when she learned that a grant application to the Myrtle E. and William G. Hess Charitable Trust needed to be delivered that same day.  So, Loretta exchanged her bathing suit for a pair of shorts, grabbed her granddaughter, and together they delivered the written proposal to an office in downtown Detroit.

On August 11, 1993, the Hess Foundation granted that $10,000 request – and they have supported Angels’ Place every year since.  That was the first foundation grant ever to Angels’ Place.

Loretta reminds us to not be afraid to move with urgency, have faith… and have some fun along the way.

We hope the story makes you smile.


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