Latest news with #Erin'sAngels
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Headshots for Hunger fundraiser with Erin's Angels fighting food insecurity in CNY
(WSYR-TV) — Food insecurity isn't just a Central New York issue; but its effects are felt especially hard in our area. To combat that problem, Headshots for Hunger is back for its 3rd annual fundraiser. Erin's Angels of CNY and East Coast Headshots in Syracuse will partner May 19th and May 21st to help feed children in need in Central New York. For every professional headshot taken, East Coast Headshots will donate $150 of the $195 fee to Erin's Angels to help feed children and families who face food insecurity. Each headshot will include a fully retouched professional image. Sheila Dion, the executive director and founder of Erin's Angels says each headshot donated will be enough to feed a child for an entire year. To make an appointment, head to Plus, if you would like more info about Erin's Angels, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Erin's Angels re-introduces a bill to help protect children
PHOENIX, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and the Phoenix non-profit Erin's Angels is re-introducing a bill in remembrance of Erin Maxwell. The 11-year-old was murdered by her step-brother in their Palermo home in 2008. Erin's Angels advisory committee is urging lawmakers to pass the Children's Bill of Rights this time around. NY State Senate Bill 2009-S1510, also known as Erin's Law, was first introduced by Senator DeFrancisco in 2009. The bill never passed and has since been renamed to the Children's Bill of Rights. 'Right now, the minimum standards for care for children in New York State is abysmally low,' said Sheila Dion, founder and director of Erin's Angels. The bill aims to raise those standards — ensuring that children have access to clean water, sufficient food, proper bedding, hygiene, and other basic necessities. 'If you look at the statistics in Oswego County, our abuse, neglect, and maltreatment rate is three times the state rate. I don't see that changing without the introduction or the passage of this bill,' said Jackie Flint, president of the board of directors for Erin's Angels. The bill would also strengthen penalties for crimes against children under 14, including heavier sentences for people like Erin Maxwell's step-brother, Alan Jones. Jones served nearly nine years in prison for killing Erin. He was released in 2018 and now walks free. 'Meanwhile she's not here anymore, and that's atrocious. Shame on us as a community,' said Dion. If passed, the bill would make the aggravated murder of a child a Class A-1 felony, carrying a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. 'Our advisory committee doesn't want life to go on anymore. We want to stop it right here and say, 'No, these minimum standards of care need to be increased. They need to be raised. We need to protect these kids with this law.' And so we're asking for support from the community to sign our petition,' said Dion. Dion said about 1,500 people have signed the petition so far. She's hoping to get 10,000 signatures by September. There are also many concerns if the bill doesn't pass. 'I think we're going to see a lot of the same outcomes. As you look, just since Erin Maxwell's death, we've had three more tragedies just in Oswego County alone,' said Flint. The petition can be found here. NewsChannel 9 reached out to Senator Chris Ryan's office for an update on the bill. We're still waiting to hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Erin's Angels hosting Purple Party Fundraiser this Saturday to fight hunger in CNY
(WSYR-TV) — Volunteers with Erin's Angels have been working for years to ensure children have food to eat. With some upcoming fundraisers on tap, you can help them continue their mission. Founder and director of Erin's Angels, Sheila Dion, and Baldwinsville Rotary Club board of directors member Katherine Reap, are spreading the word about what is coming up at the Purple Party Fundraiser/Battle of the Mayors event. In this unique competition, Phoenix Mayor Brian Borchik and Fulton Mayor James Rice will go head-to-head in a Mayoral Mix-Off, showcasing their bartending skills as they vie to earn the most tips. All proceeds from competition will support the Feed Our Future Scholarship Program, providing scholarships for deserving Oswego County students in 2025. The event will feature an evening of fun, community spirit, and a chance to support a good cause. Each tip given to the mayors will not only boost their chances of being crowned the Tip Champion but will also contribute to funding educational opportunities for local students. Joey Walker from 93 Q will also be a guest bartender to kick off the evening. Other guest bartenders include Megan Swidowski from the Bridge House Brats program and Phoenix Village Administrator Jim Lynch. Sheila Dion shares seven ways you can make a difference in a child's life: Phoenix Central School District Backpack Program-Erin's Angels works with approximately 100 students weekly to ensure they are sent home with food to supplement and provide meals while they aren't in school. Donate here. Outreach Program- Providing food to school districts as needed and through partnerships with other nonprofits. This program has a positive impact through our collective efforts. Donate here. Summer Meals Program- We ensure that children in the PCSD have access to weekend meals and snacks, allowing them to enjoy their summer and return to school ready to thrive. Donate here. Ice Cream Program- We believe that if Erin's Angels children had an ice cream treat every now and again it would brighten their day and it could help them foster a new friendship or even just help them feel included. Donate here. Scholarship Program- By investing in the education of our youth, we pave the way for a brighter future and empower individuals to make a positive impact on the world. Donate here. Endowment Program- The Erin's Angels Endowed Fund at the Upstate Foundation will ensure that this critical mission will serve generations of schoolchildren in the future. Donate here. The Purple Party Fundraiser/Battle of the Mayors event is this Saturday, February 1 Phoenix Veterans of Foreign Wars from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged. For more information, visit or contact Sheila Dion at (315) 934-0181. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
