'To help humanity'

J.D. Long-Garía/CATHOLIC SUN

Dr. Richard Bronson and Al Nolan hand out clothing items with Angles to the Homeless Dec. 20 in downtown Phoenix. Below: Bob Simonette chats with Angels to the Homeless volunteers Dec. 20.

Couple leads volunteers to be 'Angels to the Homeless'

As a way to stave off empty-nest syndrome when her daughter left for college, Irene Simonette decided to exercise her heart — by founding a nonprofit to help others.

Standing in her kitchen one morning with her husband, Bob, the two made 125 sandwiches to give to the homeless living in downtown Phoenix.

That was the moment Angels to the Homeless was created.

“We drove there and parked our car, and people started coming up to us,” Irene said. “What we saw there that day changed our lives forever.”

Since that fateful September day in 2008, the couple has given out more than 4,000 sandwiches, 150 cases of water, 1,500 articles of clothing and 300 bottles of soap or shampoo.

Their volunteer base of two has expanded to more than 50.

“We want to show the homeless they are thought of, prayed for and loved,” Irene said.

The Simonettes were strategic when planning what day of the month they would help the poor.

They go on a Sunday morning at the end of each month, when Social Security checks run out and people are the hungriest.

Angels to the Homeless fills a niche by providing a breakfast of baloney or ham sandwiches — depending on which meat is on sale — and  an oatmeal cookie and bottle of water.

Dr. Richard Bronson, a Valley chiropractor, has been helping the organization since May.

Each month he brings 350 water bottles to personally hand out, and in the summer months he wakes early to ice the bottles in coolers.

“I do it to help humanity without asking for something in return,” Bronson said. “It doesn’t matter what religion you are. You feel for the people.”

It’s that human experience that keeps Irene and Bob going back, and wanting to do more in spite of the fact Bob lost his job in May.

“We have it a lot better than we think we do,” Bob said. “God is so good. He gives us a way every month to help others.”

One way is by building relationships with other people, who, when they hear what the Simonettes are doing, want to join.

That’s how they met Jim and Nevette Neal at a local Walmart.

Jim works the deli where Irene and Bob buy their meat, and his wife floats throughout store, keeping an eye out for markdowns.

“These people don’t live in another country — they are in our backyard,” Nevette said. “I just wish more people knew how easy it is to give than to get. It’s the caring that matters.”

Other store employees joined in, with one ordering boxes of Bibles to hand out, and many donating socks, underwear, blankets and backpacks.

“We’ll give out whatever we get,” Irene said.

With a depressed economy, the organization works hard to get the most from monetary donations. That means Irene and Bob standing in line at Savers every Monday to purchase clothes for 99 cents. Goodwill, Costco and the Dollar Store also offer significant savings.

As word spread about their desire to reach out and help others in need, Irene received the support of Bourgade Catholic High School, where she was a substitute teacher.

Each month students in health class fill 100 small bottles with soap or shampoo from larger containers, making it easier for the homeless to carry.

She was also invited to speak at St. Joachim and St. Anne Parish in Sun City. The speaking engagement helped raise money to purchase food.

“We feel a desire to help, even if it is only a sandwich,” Irene said.

If there is anything left by the end of the morning, the food is donated to André House, and the clothing is donated to De Colores, a domestic violence shelter.

As Irene and Bob prepare to make 350 sandwiches for their next monthly trip downtown, they are more than aware of the blessings they have.

“I can’t describe what it feels like to have your hand kissed by a homeless man because he got a sandwich,” Irene said. “It’s the most humbling experience I’ve ever had.”