Margie and Ed Hopper have raised five boys. Through prayer and pondering, they decided to open their small home to children in need. Not long ago, their double-wide trailer home was filled to the brim with six foster children. But one was missing. Two brothers were concerned about and missing their sister terribly. So the Hoppers found a way to help. They brought their sister home and made it work. This is where Angels’ Arms stepped in. Angels’ Arms bought and presented a brand new, spacious five-bedroom home in a nearby neighborhood to the Hoppers. STL Today was on-hand for the big reveal to the Hoppers, who moved right in. Margie cried as she walked through the huge home. Ed said, “I never had a garage before.”
Angels’ Arms is a non-profit organization that buys and maintains homes for foster parents who care for siblings. With it being so difficult to keep sibling groups together (space is limited for most foster parents), Angels’ Arms has stepped in to help remedy the situation. Nation-wide, three out of four sibling groups are separated when put into the system. Already traumatized from events leading to removal from their homes, the separation just adds more fuel to the emotional fire they are experiencing.
The company currently owns and maintains 10 homes for these loving foster families. Each home can accommodate up to six children at a time. Since its inception 14 years ago, Angels’ Arms has served over 300 children.
Besides providing homes, Angels’ Arms reaches out to help foster children in many ways. They even post a wish list on their site, which includes opportunities for community members and businesses to help. Angels’ Arms provides activities, lessons, and events for foster children and their families. In addition, on the “wish list” are items needed for specific families: things like bunk beds, a freezer, dressers. Donations of these items, monetary donations and volunteer work is welcomed.
