TJJS - The Best Of JJ Show - EP 40 -Aunt Madeline and Holy Angles

In this show I talk about how the Coronavirus has directly affected my life and the loves of all in my family and I get to reconnect with an organization I volunteered for in Belmont called Holy Angels and the love they share with their residents and the community.

I dedicate this show to my aunt Madeline who is battling the Coronavirus.   Our prayers are with you dear Auntie! We love you!

Follow JJ: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!  The Jeff Johnson Show. Real. Genuine. Authentic. Jeff!

What the Jeff Johnson Show “IS” and “IS NOT”:

IT IS NOT:

• It’s not a news show, but we learn stuff.
• It’s not a sports show, but Garinger beats Independence all the time and we love the game.
• It’s not an “artsy” show, but local artists/performers are always in the house.
• This is not a food show, but I love livermush!(‘Nuff Said”) So, we'll be talking about food a lot!

IT IS:

• It is a Labour of Love for myself and my Hometown.
• It is a show about you and me and finding out why the Charlotte/Metrolina region is a great place to be!
• It is a show that I get to introduce you folks I grew up with who influenced me in my life. (I got some "Very Unique" friends y'all so this should be interesting!)
• It is a show that I share some of the many talented friends I’ve met along the way.  (I got some "Very Unique" friends y'all so this should be interesting!)
• It is a show that works your emotions. (“...Laughing and Crying, you know it’s the same release..”)

Follow JJ: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!  The Jeff Johnson Show. Real. Genuine. Authentic. Jeff!

Transcript

TJJS Ep 8 Aunt Madeline/Holy Angels

[00:00:00] JJ: [00:00:00] It's the Jeff Johnson show brought to you by ote@ofthisearthglobal.com of this earth. global.com clothing connection. O T E

[00:00:26] Greetings or in the way we say it in the South. Hey, y'all and welcome to this edition of the Jeff Johnson show a real, genuine, authentic podcast where I get to reconnect with the people, places and events of my hometown area, Charlotte, North Carolina, and the whole Metro Atlanta region. So let's get things going, but first things first.

[00:00:51] Recently, I took a little trip just to get away from Atlanta to get back into the mountains of North Carolina. I love that place. One of my [00:01:00] good friends invited me to come to his house and let me tell you it was glorious. I was so excited. My wife was already ready to kick me out of the house. You know, everybody's been cooped up.

[00:01:10] And I decided to take that trip, got into the car, beautiful sunny day, started driving up the road and I said, wow, this is going to make a great podcast. So I drive all the way up there, just singing all the way and just so excited about getting there. And I get there and we have great time. That was Friday on Saturday.

[00:01:32] I found out that my aunt Madeline had contracted the Corona virus. It really hit home with me, then it's out there. And when you're personally affected, it makes a difference. So folks, this is, this shows dedicated to my aunt Madeline. I hope she's listening. We're with you 100% dear. And [00:02:00] to everybody else out there to make sure you wash those paws, make sure you wear a mask.

[00:02:07] Make sure you practice social distancing, be safe. Be careful. Take care of yourself and others. The life you save can be yours and a bunch of other people too. Hey, we're going to be back in just a minute with some great information on one of my favorite organizations that serves the Belmont North Carolina community.

[00:02:35] Don't you dare go anywhere. This is the Jeff Johnson show in the Yeezy.

[00:02:46] Hey, everybody. I just want to give you all a big round of applause because you guys are listening to my podcast. Thank you so much. And guess what? We're international now. Yeah, buddy. You know, we've got friends in [00:03:00] France and Sweden and Canada got some friends now in Africa. I really, truly appreciate it.

[00:03:06] Folks, please share this with your friends and let them know that I really enjoy speaking with them. If they want to contact me, all they gotta do is go to www, get JJ now.com. I really appreciate it. Thanks for listening.

[00:03:26] Welcome back, everybody let's get on with the show with me now is Virgina moody, president and CEO of Holy angels and sister Nancy Nance, who is a registered sister of mercy and vice president of community relations. How are you ladies today? 

[00:03:43] Regina: [00:03:43] We're doing great. Jeff, I hope you are beautiful day in North Carolina.

[00:03:48] JJ: [00:03:48] Oh, I wish I was there to see y'all how's everybody doing up there. I miss you guys something terrible, 

[00:03:54] Regina: [00:03:54] but we miss you. And it seems like only yesterday you were here with us doing [00:04:00] lots of good things with us. So, um, it's hard to believe it's been 15. 

[00:04:03] JJ: [00:04:03] It has been 15 years. And let me tell you what, when I was there, one of the most rewarding times.

[00:04:10] That I've had is volunteering with you guys and being a part of your events and different things like that. And you know, through the years I feel that especially folks in the area and in the region have come to know, Holy angels have come to love him, but you know, a lot of new people have come in that don't know anything about you guys.

[00:04:28] So Regina give our folks a little bit of an overview of what Holy angels is. 

[00:04:34] Regina: [00:04:34] Sure. Well, Jeff, we began, as you know, in 1955, when a baby was born in Gaston County at the old Gaston Memorial hospital, her name was Maria and she had hydrocephalus and spine a dissident. And at that time back in 1955, she wasn't expected to live.

[00:04:52] And her mother at that time in the history of. The Belmont gas in County area. Uh, we were heavy into textiles. There's [00:05:00] as many Southern areas where, and Maria's mother worked in a mill and, um, she was a single mom, 16 years old, and the birth of Maria was rather overwhelming, as you could imagine with the child and, um, So, uh, the doctor who delivered Maria, um, brought out to the Patrice, who was a friend of her, his, and, uh, asked if she would help take care of Maria and, uh, sister Patrice, who is a religious sister, wasn't religious sister of mercy.

[00:05:27] He's now deceased said. Yeah. And you know, that was kind of the beginning of the love story between Maria that's betrayed a Holy angels. And, you know, our mission has, has. Evolved and developed over the years to provide compassionate, dependable care and opportunities for high quality, living to those children and adults who have intellectual developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions.

[00:05:51] And, you know, our specialty over the years has grown and evolved into really serving people with intellectual developmental disabilities [00:06:00] who are medically fragile. And today we serve. 80 85 children and adults in various homes and residential settings. We kind of consider ourselves a place of loving living and learning for the differently abled.

[00:06:14] That's the language we're using today. And we think it kind of fits well into our vision and our mission and our values here at Holy angels. 

[00:06:22] JJ: [00:06:22] No doubt. You know, the thing that always gets me insistent, Nancy, I'm going to throw this one to you being a sister, you know, When, when all of that happened, when Maria came and then you got started the process, what was it like on your end?

[00:06:37] Now? I know Regina and those working hard and doing everything. How did, how did that evolve for the sisters there? 

[00:06:46] Regina: [00:06:46] Well, she was sister Patrice was running a daycare and Marina's mom brought her to the daycare as all the other moms who worked in the mill dip. Um, but what was happening is Maria was not, [00:07:00] um, health wise stabling to do that travel back and forth.

[00:07:04] So she, uh, asked Maria, she asked if Maria could stay with sister portrays. So sister Patrice had to go to the superior at that time to request. That she be allowed to keep a baby in the convent. 

[00:07:21] JJ: [00:07:21] Oh, 

[00:07:22] Regina: [00:07:22] sister Patrice passed away the sister who did the eulogy. So she wasn't sure who was braver sister Patrice for asking to keep a baby in the convent or the superior who said yes.

[00:07:40] JJ: [00:07:40] Wow. Wow. 

[00:07:44] Regina: [00:07:44] So that ministry was not a plan. And it's kind of, God's way of saying this is what's needed at this moment in time and the sisters of mercy could fill that need. And so that's kind of how it all started 

[00:08:00] [00:07:59] JJ: [00:07:59] Regina, the community. How important has. Their love, their compassion, their sweat equity hard work.

[00:08:09] How, what does that meant to the development of Holy angels of Belmont? 

[00:08:15] Regina: [00:08:15] You're you're talking about the diversity community or the community. 

[00:08:19] JJ: [00:08:19] I'm talking about the community at large. I'm talking about the city of Belmont Gaston County, Charlotte, the whole surrounding region, the people that make up your board, the people that are that volunteer, what does that meant to how you've grown through the years?

[00:08:35] Regina: [00:08:35] Well, I, you know, I really believe that the many constituents that we have that have supported the Holy angels for our 65 years, going back to our beginning in 1955 to today, uh, Holy angels wouldn't be. Who we are aware we are without those supports the prayers and the love from so many from the sisters of mercy, who said yes to board members who say yes to [00:09:00] volunteer, to say yes to our staff who say yes.

[00:09:03] And most importantly to the families and particularly the parents who are, um, asking for our services and saying yes to the trust and care that we have. If South to provide. And I think that, um, it's made this, um, Belmont much more, um, kind of aware and sensitive to people who are differently able as well as the communities around us guests and Mecklenburg, Charlotte, of course, has been, uh, you know, growing as you know, in North Carolina.

[00:09:37] And we are saying as a, um, Special special service provider in North Carolina or a specialty service serving the most medically fragile and the most vulnerable among us. And so, um, I think it's been a, kind of a really good, um, good experience for Holy angels to be, uh, receiving the support, but also forgiving back, uh, in the community.

[00:10:00] [00:09:59] We are very involved as you know, in a variety of, um, Uh, opportunities to do good in the community. We have a tee shirt now that says believe there is good in the world. And I'd like to think that Helene angels is sharing some of the good in the world, especially today. 

[00:10:14] JJ: [00:10:14] Oh, there's no doubt about it. And you know, here's, to me, one of the greatest things that ever happened with you guys was when you started having, you know, your greenhouse sales and your plant sales were always great.

[00:10:27] Right. But when you opened cherubs, How many years ago, sister Nancy, did you open this business? Downtown Belmont, where residents from Holy angels worked and, and, and succeeded and became a real part of the community. And I think you've even expanded it, but what was that like? And how has that grown. 

[00:10:53] Regina: [00:10:53] We opened, um, cafe in 1996.

[00:10:57] So we'll be celebrating 25 years [00:11:00] next year. And it has been wonderful to be a part of the downtown Belmont community and the community at large, truly embraced us. 

[00:11:12] JJ: [00:11:12] Oh, my gosh. So now you got cherubs, but you've got some other things that are going on right now, too. You've got a couple of other businesses that you guys are running with the help of all of the, with help of a lot of the residents at Holy angels.

[00:11:25] What is it? 

[00:11:27] Regina: [00:11:27] Yeah. So Jeff, I'll add to that because when we started to, um, develop, uh, an opportunity for people that were able to work to work as independently as possible. And so in our field, we call that. Kind of job coaching opportunities. And so cherubs gave people who maybe wouldn't have been employable, an opportunity to be employed back 25 years ago or 24 years ago.

[00:11:53] And from there, uh, what we learned is that, um, just as you and I, and, and other people, um, have different interests [00:12:00] and different abilities, we learned that some of our folks really, um, Needed other opportunities. So we started, um, the, uh, what was the candy bouquet business, which was making edible flower arrangements, which today, um, has more into, uh, cots, a cotton candy factory.

[00:12:16] And so we have many of our supported employees are working either in our cotton candy factory or our Cherub's cafe or, uh, in 2017. I'm sorry, 2000. Yeah, 2017. We opened up, um, bliss, art gallery. So we have in Belmont probably haven't been here a while. So we have cafe, which was our starting point right next to it.

[00:12:41] On one side, we have list art gallery where we're displaying, um, art from our, uh, our folks, our residents, and our support employees, as well as the community. So we have a blending of artists, both. Those who are able and differently able. And then on the other side, we have the cotton candy factory where it's kind of [00:13:00] got a Willy Wonka atmosphere and it's fun for all ages where we have over 25 different cotton, candy flavors, those solver candies that you can buy in bulk.

[00:13:10] And then. In 2019, we moved, um, into McConville w just the town USA, where we opened spruce goose station, fresh eats, and treats another cafe and a little gift and art studio. Again, what we've done is been able to provide opportunities for people to work in areas that they, um, they like, or they prefer. And we also expanded our program in 2016 to the community.

[00:13:35] So we now have adults who live at home or in other, um, Um, living environments in the community, they come into our program, uh, and we're offering vocational and, um, employment, training, and day services to that group. We have about 30 people employed in all, all of our businesses. So it's been a really great, um, experience for all of us.

[00:13:54]Um, I think what we've done really is educate the community, uh, about people who are [00:14:00] differently able. And, uh, you know, so often we hear back from our customers, if you will, how grateful they are to have the opportunity to get to know many of our supporters employees. 

[00:14:10] JJ: [00:14:10] Yes. And before I go on any further, when I was talking to sister Nancy earlier, when we kind of reconnected, she was telling me about this.

[00:14:19]Um, candy bouquets con uh, the, the, uh, uh, the cotton candy stuff. How good is that cotton candy really Regina, 

[00:14:30] Regina: [00:14:30] honestly, I will tell you, I never knew that you could have really good cut and candies, but it was all the same, but ours is really, really good. And, and you know what, I don't know if you remember Taylor, but he's one of our, um, Residents.

[00:14:44] Who've been here almost his whole life in his 30. And, um, He, he just takes such joy and pride in spitting cotton candy. The smile on his face is just phenomenal and, and he has, uh, he's [00:15:00] always been kind of cried and reserved, but he's kind of come out of his shell a little bit when he's spinning cotton candy for one of the little kids that comes in and then he tells them that it's really, really good.

[00:15:10] So it is it's really good. We have great flavors and seasonal flavors. You know, it's Christmas on me, a peppermint. And, um, during Halloween we have ghost flavors. I'm not sure what they do. 

[00:15:22] JJ: [00:15:22] Goats flavor,

[00:15:26] pumpkins everywhere, you know? Yeah. It's just crazy. But how do people let let's let's do some, getting people information while it's I still got some other questions I want to ask. So somebody wouldn't find out more. Of course they could go to Holy angels.org. Correct. 

[00:15:45] Regina: [00:15:45] Holy angels and see doctor 

[00:15:47] JJ: [00:15:47] Holy angels in c.org folk, Holy angels in c.org, but where do each of the other, uh, like cherubs and the candy bouquet and those [00:16:00] kind of guys who they have their own websites as well.

[00:16:03] Regina: [00:16:03] They're part of our websites that you can go to our main website and then click on our business enterprises and they're listed there. Um, uh, Jeff on just to be clear right now, all of our businesses are closed due to COVID-19. We closed about March 10th. Um, in terms of serving customers insights. Uh, we were, we did do to go in our cafe, but we closed that the end of March.

[00:16:28] And we're hoping to be able to reopen, but in North Carolina, we're only in phase two. And of course, one of our major, um, Challenges is to protect the people that we support serve. As you know, they're very vulnerable, 

[00:16:40] JJ: [00:16:40] especially 

[00:16:41] Regina: [00:16:41] the folks that live in our facilities that we provide for the medical needs.

[00:16:46]Um, so we're trying to keep everybody safe and healthy. Uh, but when we do open you'll, you'll hear it and maybe you can give us an extra, um, 

[00:16:52] JJ: [00:16:52] Oh, it's not even, not even a question. Oh, it's not even a question. I'll make sure I plug it and make sure people know about it until then we'll [00:17:00] go out and get their presence, their gifts, and just get a little bit of something for themselves as well.

[00:17:06] I think that's always a good thing.

[00:17:19] Regina: [00:17:19] We do have candy bouquets still. And they, they ship pretty well, especially during cooler months. And, um, we have arts that is really beautiful, um, that we sell them that will be going online soon. And, um, then we have, you know, other gifts, items, gifts, baskets that we make as well. Uh, so we're very, very excited about, you know, what we're doing and.

[00:17:39] Yeah, looking forward to getting back to business. 

[00:17:41] JJ: [00:17:41] Me too, you know, I'm hoping that the folks that are listening to the podcast that subscribe and that, you know, are just enjoying, finding out more things about the Metroliner region, Charlotte, Gastonia, Concord, all that area there. What if they want to volunteer?

[00:17:57] How can they come and volunteer for you? I [00:18:00] mean, you know, like you were just talking about the COVID situation. Can they come and volunteer now? 

[00:18:06] Regina: [00:18:06] Well, actually, uh, Jeff we're onto the, um, governor Cooper, North Carolina,  mandate of, for no visitation long term care. So they can't now. Um, and to that end, we have had a.

[00:18:19] Really fantastic summer volunteen program over the past and the past summer, we've had a phone team leadership program, unfortunately, because of COVID-19, we've had to put that or suspend that until hopefully next summer, as well as our volunteers. But we're hoping that as we get through this COVID-19, um, which I'm happy to share with you that we have.

[00:18:45] Yes.

[00:18:50] JJ: [00:18:50] I'm happy to give you a little pause on that. Hold on a minute. Let me, you know, I got this, I got this new piece of equipment and I'm going to give you a Jeff Johnson [00:19:00] round.

[00:19:06] you know what I love.

[00:19:11] Regina: [00:19:11] And, you know, we have a bunch of heroes here at Holy angels. So, um, you know, to get that kind of applause for our Holy angels heroes, I, those that people take care of our people. I really appreciate it. So thanks for that. That was the best applause 

[00:19:24] JJ: [00:19:24] ever. Well, listen folks again, you know, from my standpoint and my relationship with you guys have been.

[00:19:32] Just one of great joy and it always humbles me when I'm ever I'm around you all because of your dedication to things that you've done, how the community's come through. I mean, you know, I go back to a lot of the golf events and the whole angel bowl and everything that was involved with you guys are still doing those events.

[00:19:52] You hopefully will be able to get to some of those this year. Is that possible? 

[00:19:58] Regina: [00:19:58] Yeah. Well, you know, it's interesting [00:20:00] because this past is this year, our angel was on March 7th and COVID-19 right after that. So we were fortunate to get that event. Um, we did have to postpone two of our events, but we have our golf tournament coming up in September the 21st.

[00:20:17] And we have a new event called the clay shoot that was scheduled for may, but it's moved to September. Um, This coming year. So we have that going on and, um, you know, angel bowl, we hope we'll be back in March of 2021. Those are all great events. And you were, you know, Jess, you were our MCI, many of our events.

[00:20:35] And I really appreciated also, I don't know. I hope you remember that we honored do in 2007, when you were at our employee appreciation awards banquet with the dr. Fisher. Caring hands and caring heart award, our medical director for over 40 years and somebody who we still have coming every, every week to assist he's semi retired, but he's still helping out.

[00:20:57] But I know he was honored to present that [00:21:00] award to you. 

[00:21:00] JJ: [00:21:00] Well, let me tell you that that vet, uh, clock sits prominently in our house and I love it because every time I look up at it, And to see what time it is. I'm like, Oh, okay. It's all right there. And that's good. It just it's, it's like just raining love down on me.

[00:21:17] I mean, it's just constantly raining love down on me. Just like all of you guys have, have done for years. Hey, listen. You know, in kind of winding down, what would you like? Is there anything you want to say to the folks that are listening on how they, I don't really know what I really want to say. Is there anything you just want to say to anybody?

[00:21:36] Let's just put it that way. 

[00:21:38] Regina: [00:21:38] Well, I, I, just to those that are listening that know fully angels, thank you for your love and support. And for those that are just learning about us, polices at our website and learn more about the great work we're doing here. And as you want to find a good cause to support the landlords would love to have your support, especially during these sessions.

[00:21:56] That's trying times this COVID-19 for us or the [00:22:00] coronavirus as it is for everybody is truly one of the greatest challenges that we have faced. So we appreciate any support that we receive. And we thank you, Jeff, for having us on today and for sharing our mission, our mighty mission of mercy. Thank you.

[00:22:14] JJ: [00:22:14] You are so welcome and listen, Regina sister Nancy. Thank you both for being on my show and don't worry. You'll be back again. I hope y'all will agree to come back on sometime.

[00:22:28] Excellent. And you know what, maybe we could even maybe how do you even like to talk to somebody, you know, maybe a resident or somebody that might want to talk to me? I don't know. Who knows? Maybe I'll let me do that. That would be great. 

[00:22:44] Regina: [00:22:44] I remember, 

[00:22:46] JJ: [00:22:46] I remember I remember

[00:22:51] piano. 

[00:22:54] Regina: [00:22:54] No, that's good.

[00:22:58] He may have been before your time, [00:23:00] but jr was somebody just quickly that was here as an infant to lose eight years old and, uh, have come back around and he was adopted by a family as an adult. Now he's a musician. He volunteers here and he lives in Belmont and he's 30. Um, He just turned 38. He and I started together as I'll be celebrating my 38 years on July 1st.

[00:23:22] And he would be a great person for you to talk to about how Holy angels impacted his life. 

[00:23:27] JJ: [00:23:27] I would love to do it. We are going to play in that. Okay. 

[00:23:30] Regina: [00:23:30] Okay. That'll be good. And then we'll do some others as well. We'd love to be part of you your life again. Thank you so much for reaching out to us and for sharing our story.

[00:23:39] JJ: [00:23:39] You're welcome. Hey ladies, y'all have a great day and we'll talk to you soon. Okay. 

[00:23:44] Regina: [00:23:44] Thank you. Enjoy your equipment. 

[00:23:46] JJ: [00:23:46] I will, I will take care guys. Folks. We'll be right back with more than the Jeff Johnson show stated.

[00:23:58] Hey, everybody should avoid [00:24:00] Jeff Johnson. Thank you so much for listening to my show, but right now I want to introduce you to somebody. A great friend of mine. I grew up with him and he's got a product. That is going to make your life better because it's so good. It makes you want to slap yo, I'm gonna just leave it at that.

[00:24:15] Ladies. Gentlemen, my friend Ivan hall. Ivan. How you doing, man? 

[00:24:19] Regina: [00:24:19] Hey Jeff. Hello, boys and girls. Yeah. Coming at you. I want to introduce you Big Ivan Big Bone BBQ and gourmet  cooking Sauce. It's prime  time baby!  if you want your kitchen to be right, you're going to need some, Big Ivan's Big Bone  products in your kitchen.

[00:24:38] Big Ivan big bone pickled vegetables.Big Ivan's spiced peaches, spice, Apple the suace  comes in mild,  medium and hot. And I guarantee you thavt regardless of how you use it, it's gonna make your meal. Right. So if you want your kitchen to be correct, you're going to need several jars of  [00:25:00] right there in your house.

[00:25:02] If you would like to purchase some, Big Ivan's Big Bone  products. All you can do is go to Ivan gHall1@hotmail.com. That's iIvan G Hall  and the number1@hotmail.com. Oh, you can call me direct at (704) 449-8165. That's big Island. It's (704) 449-8165.

[00:25:34] JJ: [00:25:34] you know  folks. I love to clear my mind by just sitting quietly. And I know some of y'all are seeing rolling your eyes. They man, you ain't been quiet since you were born, but yes, even I, the loud and semi talented JJ. Need some [00:26:00] time to think every day, just to sit and think and ponder well, here's something that

[00:26:17] what's in a day you ask, well, 24 precious hours in which to do something positive for yourself. And for those around you, 1,440 minutes to get things done, to learn, to live, to grow. In the next 68,400 seconds, someone somewhere will find out what makes him or her the happiest. And it will last forever in the next 24 hours.

[00:26:37] Someone somewhere could make a discovery that could change the world. Today is that day, if not today, when so stop putting it off. Get started right this minute and prove to the world that this 24 hours, this 1,440 minutes, the 68,400 seconds. It's going to make a difference. Today is the day I'm JJ. Keep splashing through the puddles of [00:27:00] life.

[00:27:26] Thanks for joining me this week on the Jeff Johnson show. Please visit my website@getjjnow.com. That's get JJ now.com where you can find links and show notes, as well as subscribe to my show in iTunes, Spotify, Google podcasts, or anywhere you download your podcasts. So that way you'll never miss a show while you're at it.

[00:27:50] If you found some value in the show, I'd appreciate a rating on iTunes. Or if you'd simply tell a friend about the show that would help a lot to [00:28:00] be sure to tune in next week for another edition of the Jeff Johnson show a real genuine, authentic podcast from my heart to you. It's the Jeff Johnson show brought to you by ote@ofthisearthglobal.com of this earth.

[00:28:20] global.com clothing connection O T E.