Who We Are
We are a dedicated team of volunteers, who are steadfast in our goal of providing ‘everyday angels’ a way to bring hope to children and their families as they battle cancer.
Foundation Overview
For nearly a decade, Angels of Hope has been providing financial assistance to children and those who love and care for them as they battle cancer (theirs or a parents). With 100% of donations and proceeds from events directly financing these families we ensure every dollar does the most good, from donation to deed.
Description
Each year we host two signature events, our “A Night of Hope” gala and “Angels of Hope Golf Outing”. Your support of these events helps bring our vision to reality. Like us on Facebook and sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our events, programs, and the families we help.
Board of Directors:
Robin Sanderson, Director
Robin has never been a stranger to the devastating effects of losing a loved one to cancer. By the age of nineteen Robin had lost both her grandmother and father to the disease. In 1996 she lost her mother Ruth Orr to lung cancer which impelled Robin to begin her crusade to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. Since 1997 Robin has held annual fundraisers as well as serving on the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society where she has received numerous awards for her fundraising efforts. In 2004 Angels of Hope was established and is the foundation that best fits Robin’s desire to assist families on a personal level, as well as allowing supporters to give back to the community. Robin owns Real Estate Network Elite and has been in sales for the last 26 years. Her children Diana and Michael and their spouses Carlos and Rebecca have been constant supporters of the foundation. They have also given Robin the gift of being “Nana” to Bryce, Isabella, Carlos, Anissa, Daniel and Amelia.
Email: rsanderson@angelsofhope.org
Steve York, Director
Steve is a turn-around and restructuring executive and IT strategist with over 20 years of progressive management experience strengthening performance at small, medium, and large Global companies in multiple industry verticals. Extensive global IT transformation expertise working with multi-billion dollar IT Outsourcing/Service Delivery, Complex Manufacturing and High End Consulting companies. He brings to the foundation over twenty years of business experience, ranging from lean manufacturing, business development, marketing, technology, and customer service. Steve has held leadership positions with AlixPartners, LLP, Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., CGI, and Ford Motor Company. Steve earned his B.S. from Eastern Michigan University and M.B.A degree from Baker College. He resides in Troy, Michigan with his wife Serena, and their three sons Jacob, Jared, and Jackson. In his spare time he enjoys watching his sons play sports, social media and travel.
Email: syork@angelsofhope.org
Bill Wylonis, Director
Bill is currently employed with Redico, LLC a national real estate development, construction and property management leader as a Director of Facility Management. He is also President of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Metro Detroit and has served on the Board of Directors of the Legends Golf and Country Club in Ft. Myers, Florida. Bill’s mission with Angels of Hope is to “Help make a difference in the life of a child with cancer.” He feels “no child or family should have to face this devastating disease alone and vows to make sure every request for financial aid gets addressed.” Bill and his wife Lisa reside in Novi with their two children Jacob and Marisa. In his spare time he loves to relax playing golf whenever possible.
Email: bwylonis@angelsofhope.org
Christopher Pirrone, Director
Chris’s involvement with the charity began with the founding of Angels of Hope. He was inspired by the compassion and dedication of other board members, sponsors and volunteers making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. Chris’s area of expertise is in graphic communications, having owned and operated businesses in Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chris is married to Christine and has a stepson Christian. Chris is currently employed as an Account Executive at one of the largest printing companies in the country. In addition, Chris also owns and operates a local graphics – consulting and photography firm in Macomb. Chris is supported by his family in the fight for cancer awareness and shares this passion with his lovely wife Christine and son Christian (C3). Christian will graduate from Eisenhower high school in 2012 and will continue his involvement with the Civil Air Patrol and U.S. Air Force.
Email: cpirrone@angelsofhope.org
Jennifer Zbytowski, Director
Jennifer’s mother was diagnosed with cancer over a year ago, and continues to remain strong and hopeful. Hope is what fuels her passion for this cause even further. Since joining the Foundation, Jennifer has realized that the gift of giving is within all of us. It requires little, but gives back in droves, and has enriched her life in ways she never dreamed possible. Jennifer has been employed with Health Alliance Plan for over 12 years as the Director of Credentialing and Health Projects. She earned her B.A. and her M.P.A. graduate degree from New York University. Jennifer holds a Project Management Professional certification and is a graduate of Leadership Macomb XII. She is also actively involved in her community. Jennifer is married to her husband Bryan and has three children, Gavin, Kamryn and Brodie and two crazy dogs, Sadie and Chloe.
Email: jzbytowski@angelsofhope.org
Kelley Baetens, Director
Kelley brings 25 years experience in managerial and organizational skills from the legal sector. The past 15 years Kelley has partnered with fellow board member Robin Sanderson. Initially, she helped Robin raise funds for cancer research at a nominal level. Later, with the organization and formation of Angels of Hope, her mission and focus became assisting and supporting families within the community. Being able to literally make a difference in the lives of local families battling the physical, emotional and financial effects of cancer has fueled Kelley’s commitment and passion to her acts of service. Kelley has developed and grown the Holiday Giving Program which has become one of the foundation’s most successful and beneficial programs. This past 2010 holiday season 31 families that suffered from financial hardship were showered with gifts from our generous base of supporters. Kelley feels privileged that she has been able to inspire others with her mission to give back by helping to grow the support network of the foundation. “I truly cherish all of my friends and family that generously continue to support my endeavors that allow me to give back”. This includes the support of her husband Mike and two stepdaughters Caitlin and Carly.
Email: kbaetens@angelsofhope.org
Suzzanne Fournier, Director
Sue has been a constant supporter and volunteer for the Foundation for the past 13 years. In 2010 Sue was honored to accept the position as Chairperson of the Angels of Hope Grants Committee. Through corporate and private foundation grant requests, Sue’s goal is to be able to give the foundation the ability to fulfill all grant requests by never having to turn an applicant away because of lack of funding. Sue has been employed in the Printing and Graphic Communications field for over 30 years and currently works for Schawk USA in Sterling Heights, MI. She is currently working on completing her BBA in Management through Rochester College with a planned graduation date of December 2012. Sue lives in St. Clair, MI with her husband Rich, her son Dominic, her stepdaughters Michele and Maggie, her cat Lucy and her dog Poochie.
Email: sfournier@angelsofhope.org
Frani Lucido Marheineke, Director
Behind every successful Angels of Hope event there is a need for people who help organize chaos and complexity on a large scale, transforming it into an experience above and beyond expectations. Fran’s passion for organization, decorating and experience in event planning makes her a perfect fit to the foundation. Fran has been volunteering for cancer fundraisers and Angels of Hope events since 2005. She started as a supporter, but like so many others, she quickly grew to love the underlying reason for the work of the Angels. It is her nature to always look for ways to help others and over the past couple of years; she has increasingly contributed her creative mind, uncanny organization skills, and abundant following of friends and family to support the foundation. Fran is honored to work with such a wonderful group of people who help ease the financial burden of Michigan families affected by cancer. Fran feels blessed to have the support of her husband Mark and her three children Jake, Genevieve and Jordan. The Marheineke family has found their “home”, in terms of supporting a most worthy cause, with Angels of Hope.
Email: flucidoM@angelsofhope.org
Paul Khamou, Assistant Director
Paul has worked for Lucido Fine Jewelry for over 10 years and is very passionate about his job. “I absolutely love what I do – the best part of my job is making people happy.” At the age of 22, while attending Wayne State University for Business management in 2006, Paul was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was devastated and uncertain about his future, “I had insurance, but I knew that they wouldn’t cover everything. I didn’t know how I was going to pay the medical bills.” While receiving treatment at Troy Beaumont hospital, Paul met other cancer patients that were also very concerned about how they would pay their mounting medical bills. He vowed that when he was better, he would find a way to help others that shared his fate. Four months after treatment, Paul’s doctor informed him that he was cancer free! After hearing the remarkable news, he had a new lease on life and set out to “give back to others who are at the lowest point in their lives.” That’s when he heard about Angels of Hope. He immediately wanted to take part in the foundation’s mission because he believes in everything that Angels of Hope stands for and does for people and families struggling with cancer. Paul has also completed a degree program at Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Leadership and Communications. “I now see cancer as a blessing in my life; it has truly opened my eyes to have compassion towards others. I thank God everyday for providing for my family through that difficult stage of our lives.”
Email: pkhamou@angelsofhope.org
