News

Special Angels of The Woodlands: Heaven on earth for adults with disabilities; annual gala April 5

By: Kim Kyle Morgan, Woodlands Online

| Published 03/15/2018

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Seven years ago, when Verdye Posey was at the mall with her son, someone came up to her and asked if she had ever been to the "angel place."

That would be Special Angels of The Woodlands. According to its website, SAW is a "God-honoring organization committed to enhancing the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities by providing the highest quality Day Activity Center, with a strong emphasis on both enjoying and serving our communities."

"Travis had just graduated high school and I didn't know what we were going to do, because nobody tells you what happens after high school," said Posey of her son, who is intellectually and physically disabled. "Our Special Angels are the forgotten children. In our minds, they will always be children, but nobody else sees them like that anymore. I just don't know where we would be without Special Angels of The Woodlands."

Posey said it was by the grace of God that somebody approached her in the mall that day. SAW keeps Travis, 27, "motivated and interested," and it also keeps Posey herself busy these days as the director of Angel Oaks. The event venue, formerly known as The Grand Palace, is now owned and operated by SAW and helps support their programs.

Verdye and Travis Posey

Touched by an Angel

Special Angels of The Woodlands will host its 9th annual Touched by an Angel fundraiser Thursday April 5.

The event will feature music, cocktails, food and an auction. This year, there will also be a special art sale. Reigning Miss Houston 2017 Hannah Johannes visited the Angels in February, helping create -- and signing -- art pieces for the upcoming event.

Dede DeMayo, SAW fundraising chair, said their goal is to raise $200,000 for the day center's operating costs and to help offset the damage caused when Hurricane Harvey dumped two feet of water in the building, ruining office equipment, furnishings and the kitchen.

Miss Houston 2017 Hannah Johannes, Art With the Angels

Special Angels takes flight

DeMayo's mother Thelma Braddock founded SAW after moving to Montgomery County with her three daughters in 2003. The single mother could not find a day activity center that met the needs of her youngest daughter Michelle, who has Down syndrome, is legally blind, has hip dysplasia and a pacemaker.

"We also found that many adults like Michelle stayed at home because they could not afford to attend a day program, or did not have a way to get to a day program," DeMayo said. "She started Special Angels of The Woodlands with no charge to clients in the beginning. My mom used her van and picked up many of the clients so they could attend. She found donated space from local churches for the day so everything was free."

Today, Special Angels has its own Day Activity Center at 314A Pruitt Road. The Angels are also involved in the community through sports, field trips, picnics, trips to restaurants, and special events such as hayrides and rodeos.

"More often than not, adults with intellectual disabilities are forgotten about and they have little to no community involvement," DeMayo said. "My mom's dream was to make sure there was a place that provided activities for the Angels in our community. She gave of her time and resources to build the foundation of what we see today."

Thelma Braddock's own Special Angel, Michelle, is now 48, and her two older daughters DeMayo and Riselea McLeroy are SAW board members.

Braddock passed away in 2016.

"I can see her tap dancing in Heaven," DeMayo said. "I say tap dancing because when I was a kid and did something for her as a surprise she would always show her appreciation and happiness by doing a little tap dance for me. She would be so very proud of how everyone is continuing to support Special Angels and helping it grow so that we can expand our programs and services."