Red Coats give back to organization in need

The Players volunteer organization helps special needs group

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Players volunteer leadership group, the Red Coats, makes it a point to give back to the community and those in need every year and this year, one of the organizations they have come forward to help is Angelwood, an organization that helps people with disabilities or special needs.

The organization assists people with special needs or disabilities through a variety of programs and services like group homes, summer camp and adult day training.

In addition to the $10,000 the Red Coats donated this year, they also surprised
Angelwood with something they desperately needed, a new van.

"It's beyond my wildest dreams to think that this could happen today," Angelwood Executive Director Diane Tuttle said.

Sharon Dowe's daughter Daniele has special needs and uses Angelwood's services.

"It gives her the interaction with others. It gives her the opportunity to work on specific skill sets and in a very safe and kind and loving environment," Dowe said.

Dowe said she was really emotional when the van was revealed. She said transportation has made it difficult for her to give Daniel the interaction and care she needs.

"Last year I sold my home in the north part of Jacksonville and moved to the Southside area because of the transportation needs so it means the world to me. I was traveling about 109 miles a day taking her back and forth and working my full-time job," Dowe said.

Wrapped in a big blue bow the 14-passenger van will now help Dowe and the other 300 families Angelwood serves with transportation to and from home, field trips and appointments.

"As I look at what we do, and the work we do, it is so good and is so important, but it's hard and to have the tools to do it will make it so much better," Tuttle said.

After the big reveal everyone at Angelwood wanted to jump in the driver's seat as the Red Coats stayed to putt around with Angelwood's finest.

"We couldn't have done this without them and we will use it wisely," Tuttle said.