Angels at Heart
Who We Are

Who We Are

Angels at Heart, Inc. is a local, tax exempt 501(c) 3, grassroots organization founded in 2006 to provide direct client services to Murray County residents.  The organization originally provided rent/utility assistance, emergency shelter, budget counseling in attempt to keep children in their homes while breaking generational cycles.

Our Mission

To provide assistance to Murray County families who are committed to self-support with the necessities for safe and stable homes. 

Our Mission
Why We Do It

Why We Do It

To combat community statistics by inspiring hope and encouraging parents and children alike to be their best selves. 

The Poverty Rate for residents of Murray County Georgia who were born citizens of the United States is 18.1%.

The poverty line for Georgia in 2018 is based on the federal guidelines, which begins at $12,140 for a single person, adding $4,320 for each additional person.

In 2019 alone 15.6% of residents were living below the poverty line which is a 136% increase from the previous year.

62-80% of children in elementary school are receiving free and reduced lunch

2016-2020, only 10.6% of residents 25 years or older had a bachelor’s degree or higher

How We Do It

By using evidence based practices we are giving them the confidence and tools to break those generational cycles through our programs.      

How We Do It

Angels at Heart Inc. makes donation to Women’s Enrichment Center and thanks them for their hard work and service to the young women in our Murray community.

Angels at Heart featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press

Angels at Heart pivoted its mission during the pandemic, offering birthday parties to at-risk and foster care children in Murray County.

Winner of the Dancing With the Stars Gun Raffle

Pictured left to right: Shawn Roland, Tanner Davis (Owner of Drifters), Dale McCarty (winner of AR15), Merinda McGill (President Angels@Heart Inc.), Billy Childers (Murray Co Tax Commissioner and Dancing with the Stars Contestant), and Gary Autry (Catoosa Co Tax Commissioner)

Murray Dancing With the Stars

Our board had an amazing time at Murray’s first Dancing with the Stars on November 12, 2022 at The Grandview at Fort Mountain nestled in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. We are thankful that Angels at Heart Inc. was one of the nine charities that will benefit from the event! Billy Childers and Savanah Thompson did an outstanding job dancing and raising money. Thanks to them we will be able to provide 200 birthday parties for foster children as well as those at risk for coming into foster care!

Board of Directors

Merinda Silvers-McGill

Engineered Floors
Executive Director/Founder

Beth Bennett

H&R Block
Secretary

Teresa Silvers

Engineered Floors
Treasurer

Lauren Wiley

Murray County Division of Family and Children Services

Billy Childers

Tax Commissioner

Hunter Phillips

Hunter Phillips

Marketing Alliance Group

Lisa Gowens

Lisa Gowens

Georgia Department of Agriculture, Senior Inspector with the North Georgia Companion Animal/Equine Division

Our Programs

Gifted
Cakes, Cards, and Kindness

The Angels at Heart Board of Directors is now launching a new program called “Gifted” cakes, cards, and kindness. We feel that each child’s birth is special and should be celebrated!  The program addresses the overwhelming and growing emotional and mental health needs of the Murray County foster children as well as those children who are at risk for entering state custody.  As most of you know that the entire country has been affected by the pandemic and there is a sense of sadness and hopelessness everywhere.  We have partnered with local non-profit organizations to provide a birthday party in a bag kit for foster kids and a birthday cake in a pan for at risk families.  Our program is unique in that no other organization provides birthday parties for at risk and neglected children.

Each bag includes:  cake or gift card for cake from bakery, one gift (individualized based on child’s interest), plates, napkins, balloons, candles, and a prayer.

Each pan includes:  aluminum cake pan, box of cake mix, frosting, soft drink, balloons, candles, plates, napkins, and a prayer.

Self Confidence

According to psychology today, the most effective ways to boost self confidence in children are:

Encourage

To encourage children to appreciate their uniqueness.

Celebrate

Celebrate the big and little things, engagement shows them you are interested in the things that interest them.

Availability

Be available to your child in helping set goals especially as they get older, and always have a growth mindset show children how to have a positive attitude and how to learn from obstacles.

Our program provides those children ages birth-18 the opportunity to have a cake, party, and be recognized for the unique special person God intended them to be!  This boosts confidence and spreads kindness throughout our entire community!

How Can You Help?

  • Donation of new gift bags 
  • Donate a new toy, gift card, or blanket/throw (we provide gifts for children ages 0-18 years)
  • Donate a grocery store or bakery gift certificate
  • Donate a package of candles, new party plates, napkins and/or plastic flatware (please no bulk packages)
  • Donate wrapping paper, balloons, ribbons, bows, or streamers
  • Sponsor a Birthday Bag:  You can make a donation in honor of someone’s Birthday, anniversary, or special milestone and give a needy child their first ever Birthday celebration!
  • Give back at your own Birthday Party:  You can collect the above items at your own party and donate them to the program.
  • Host a Collection Drive:  Hosting a drive to collect items within your community, church, or business is a great way to help these children in need. It draws attention to those less fortunate and the importance of celebrating the day we were all born! 
  • Donate dollars for every social media birthday “Like” on your birthday to help us continue our mission!
  • Volunteer to pack bags, recruit additional volunteers, and/or attend birthday parties.
  • Share on Social Media and spread the word about how others can make a difference by giving those children in need a magical and meaningful Birthday party they deserve!