By Kenneth Stepp

Yesterday I had the pleasure and honor to sponsor a law enforcement officer for Christmas. She was a single mom, and some people I trust a lot told me about her. Well, $500.00 doesn’t mean you can retire, buy land, or take it easy. But to a single mom living on a cops wage it can make a difference. But the story is very cool.

Last year I had the same pleasure and honor as well. I helped a single mom with a badge. But I really kept up with this single mom. I watched as this remarkable woman grew emotionally, and intellectually. She has become strong and independent. It’s been fun to be a part of. Now she is volunteering at a women’s prison mentoring and counseling other women. What a transformation. And a twist of irony. She chose this year’s recipient. I just thought that was cool.

Even though we became great friends over the past year. Yesterday was the first time we ever met. Perhaps I will meet this year’s single mom next Christmas.

info@americanangelworks.org

By Kenneth Stepp

I have decided the best way to honor the families is to not say anything. Nothing can be said that would help. As a father of five very special kids I can’t process what happened myself. My wife and I are grieving and thankful for our children at the same time. 

Nothing can be said that hasn’t been said. Praying for them and our nation. I hope if you are reading this you find a measure of peace somewhere.

By Sharon Smith

“Original Article”

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) — Harry and Lisa Lee answered the call to help this holiday season. Their donation was a real Christmas tree which they rolled through the doors at A Child’s Place.

It will be a homeless family’s first Christmas tree.

“My hope is they’ll love it,” said Lisa Lee.

A Child’s Place helps hundreds of homeless children in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Nearly 5,000 homeless children have been identified in the school system. A Child’s Place is able to serve about half of them.

Part of their effort is focused on Holiday Central, where donations are taken to help those families have a better Christmas. It takes a lot of work to gather sponsors, organize all the presents and get them to the right family.

Ann Sherrill is A Child’s Place employee who has been helping children the past 13 years.

“We have some parents who come in and they get so much stuff,” said Sherrill. ”It’s amazing to them. They didn’t think anyone cared for them,” she said.

Turns out a lot of volunteers do care. WBTV found several people helping to wrap presents and more volunteers will be coming into Holiday Central every day.

“It’s good,” said Diarmuid O Sullivan, who volunteered with his co-workers. ”There’s no question about that. There’s tremendous need and here’s our chance to do something,” he said.

For them it’s a small sacrifice and they enjoy doing it. However, it’s not lost on anyone where the gifts are going. This year, at least 1300 homeless children and their parents will benefit from Holiday Central.

“You won’t be able to see the families when they come in. But if you could, it would make you cry,” said Sherrill.

A Child’s Place has enough family sponsors for Christmas, but their work with homeless children continues all year. The agency is always looking for donations and volunteers.

During the summer, it sponsors summer camps for homeless children. However, the agency is only able to serve a fraction of the children who need that extra support.

When reading this poem I immediately thought of my father. He spent his life for others. He was honest, generous, and a man I could look up to.

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I read of a woman who stood to speak

At the funeral of a best friend,

She referred to the dates on his tombstone –

From the beginning – to the end!

She noted that first came his date of birth

And spoke the following date with tears;

But she said what mattered most of all

Was the DASH between those years!

For that DASH represents all the time

That he spent alive on earth….

And now only those who loved him

Know what that little “LINE” was worth!

For it matters not, how much we own;

The flashy cars.. the big house.. and all the cash;

What matters is how we live and love –

And how we spend our DASH!!

So think about this long and hard …..

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

That can still be re-arranged!

If we could just slow down enough 

To consider what’s true and real,

And always try to understand 

The way other folks feel!

And be less quick to anger….

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we’ve NEVER loved before!

If we treat each other with respect…

And more often wear a smile…

Remembering that this special DASH

Might only last a little while!

So, when your Eulogy is being read

With your life’s actions to re-hash;

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your DASH?

My friend Frank Jakes needs a kidney. That is a big ask, I get that. Frank has been the kind of person that has given his entire life. I first met Frank & Betty in the mis 90’s. We have been going to the same church since 1995. As we’ve grown into a church that serves over 20,000 per week, from the mere 180 that came when we started, Frank has been in the middle of it all. For so many years when we would hear of someone making a huge difference, giving in an amazing way, or helping beyond imagination, it was always Frank. Now he needs us. If there is someone out there that would donate a kidney for this great man, please contact us immediately.

“CLICK HERE FOR EXAMPL OF TAX FRAUD PUNISHMENT”

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ALERT!! 12/15/2012 I received an answer back from the IRS! They have turned this felon’s case over to an investigator. Asked for clarification on a couple of things. I can do that Monday. Prison looks like a reality for this thief now.

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UPDATED 12/15/2012

*Yesterday I began an effort to limit the damage this person can do by bilking them out of money and possibly causing their probation to be violated. I started an ad posting campaign by posting ads where and when he does, warning people about him.

*Today I will spend my day emailing courts and probation systems that he fishes for victims in about him and his FELONIOUS deeds. Nationwide. It will take all day. But I believe that some will seek to punish him for what he has done in the past.

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UPDATE!! 12/13/2012

1. I spoke directly with the district attorney of one of the municipalities I turned this person in to today. This is a case he is pursuing and he has begun by turning it over to his chief investigator. I sent him all the documents and a signed statement. 

2. I called the IRS fraud division this morning. I spoke with three different departments till I finally reached the right one. They did receive my formal complaint I mailed and they are going to act. The agent I spoke with agreed that if what I stated is true, there is criminal liability and cause to shut down the organization.

3. Tomorrow I am suppose to give a statement to yet another department about his personal tax dodging. Hopefully that won’t take over an hour like the other one did.

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There are moments in life that defines us. I recently filed a formal complaint with the IRS about another nonprofit using deceptive practices, mishandling funds, not filing taxes, and using his nonprofit as a personal piggy bank. This is a predetor organization. This is an update of sorts.

I also made contact with metro area courts via emails. So far two have called me. I expect more.

Today the Cobb County Courts called me. They have decided to turn the case over to the DA’s investigator. They want to set up a meeting with me to get my formal statement. I was told to expect a call Monday or Tuesday next week. I am trying to find a good address on him for that report. He moves around a lot. The last I heard was he lived in a mobile home that had been cut in half somewhere around Buford GA. He uses a smart phone, so they can find him.

Yesterday a representative of the Gwinnett County Court called me back. This person had already heard all about the owner of this nonprofit. Not only from court records, which he had in his hand reading as we spoke (theft by deception), but with the elections staff. The report they turned in was a wild one. Aparrently he tried to “forcefully” make the board of elections allow offenders with court ordered community service to complete work with the elections. And turn their paychecks over to him of course. Add that with the fact he uses the money on his lifestyle and doesn’t actually work and you have insanes motives. They said they were sure it would be turned over to the DA’s office. But it would have to be after the first of the year.

The website for this nonprofit is full of things they do for others. None of it is true. Help the incarcerated, recently released, injured law enforcement officers, families in temporary crisis, team loans,service force, elections (the county has already disavowed them) student community service, etc. None of which is true of course. They even use our names, American Angel Works & Project LEO. Of course he’s a bandit, so suing him won’t help. He uses “.us” instead of “.com” & “.org” like legitimate nonprofits when he uses our  brand names.  He’s just painting a picture to entice donors. Pathetic, sad, and yes, criminal. This guy helps no one. I believed them and helped them by fundraising for about 2 years. They have helped people 3 times in 2 years. All 3 are people I asked them to help. I raised so much money for them, they helped the people I asked them to as a ruse to keep me believing and of course fundraising.

“Sociopaths” will do anything that helps them in any way. By definition they have no remorse, can not see any actions they do as wrong, never think they will get caught, and do not have the ability to empithize with their victims. Narcicism is common. They justify anything “they” do or believe. They have huge visions of grandure. This guy is always just weeks away from millions of dollars. Of course he has never succeded in anything despite a great education. All visions die unfullfilled, and they move on to yet another dream they are unable to attain. They take, not give. They always feel they have the right to do anything they want to do. It doesn’t matter if it hurts others, is illegal, or goes against every moral standard we have in this great country. They feel entitled and have to have someone to “control”, like an assistant or employee of some kind. And of course, he has one. He will borrow or steal the money to keep him too.

I’m told I will have a meeting with someone with the IRS individual revenue department. It turns out aside from multiple felony theft convictions, he also hasn’t filed taxes for years. 

When I filled out my paperwork with the IRS it took all day, one form was 31 pages, it cost a lot of money. Why can’t they simply ask that one important question on their forms. “Have you ever been convicted of a felony”? If so, PASS! That would end a lot of the foolishness going on out there.

It is the duty of the nonprofit community to clean up their own back yard. There is an old saying that is true here. “Crooked people don’t die straight”

info@americanangelworks.org

www.americanangelworks.org 

UPDATE 12/08/2012

Everytime I think I can stop pursuing criminal charges on this guy, he does something else. Wow. 

SOCIOPATHIC ACT

I received a document from the aforementioned nonprofit owner to a metro district attorney. In an effort to make statements deflecting blame from himself and his deeds to others he made a writen set of statements to a local district attorney’s office. Each one carries perjury, obstruction, and false statement charges. I have attained emails, documentation, and testimonies to show the entire document contains false statements. I will be preparing that this weekend. If he actually sent this statement to the prosecutor we can add no less than 4 more charges to his thick dossier . I guess we will see. Narcicism will control your actions if you allow it. Hard to believe this whole thing started because this person began harassing another nonprofit.

“Here is some of his scorecard below”

In Gwinnett County

• • Count 1:  16-8-7,  Theft By Receiving  -  12/22/2003.  Disp:  Adjudication Withheld On 05/23/2006
    • Sentence -  Ct: 1,  First Offender-Probated,  $1250.00,  Probation: 5 Years,  Sentence Date: 05/23/2006

  • Count 2:  16-8-7,  Theft By Receiving  -  12/18/2003.  Disp:  Adjudication Withheld On 05/23/2006
    • Sentence -  Ct: 2,  First Offender-Probated,  Probation: 5 Years,  Conc/Ct 1,  Sentence Date: 05/23/2006

  • Count 3:  16-8-7,  Theft By Receiving  -  12/22/2003.  Disp:  Adjudication Withheld On 05/23/2006
    • Sentence -  Ct: 3,  First Offender-Probated,  Probation: 5 Years,  Conc/Ct 1,  Sentence Date: 05/23/2006

By AAW

Even though I started American Angel Works in 2009, I never took the time to make it a nonprofit. I called it “my template”. We were always sponsored by other nonprofits as a fundraising platform. Today we are a real nonprofit.

I spent the day with my accountant yesterday. We filled out a 31 page form to become a 501c3, rewrote my articles of incorporation for the sate, and paid a huge fee, $850.00. On top of that I paid my accountant, and a filing fee to the state for the amended articles. We also filed for an expedited 501c3 status and was granted that after an hour on the phone with the IRS. By the end of the year we will have 501c3 status and no longer be sponsored by an outside 501c3 nonprofit. I just opened our bank account, and sent Paypal documentation of nonprofit status. It’s been a great morning.

Go back to our site and read about our 100% plan. It could revolutionize the way charity is done.

info@americanangelworks.org

In 1985 my wife and I decided to move from Louisville Ky to Atlanta Ga to work with the aging homeless. So we sold our home, closed Stepp’s remodeling  and moved south. And after all these years, I’m actually doing what I came here to do.

“It’s the economy stupid”. Those words were a winning battle cry for Bill Clinton. It was true then and is as true today. The nation has an economy in decline. Yet many cities around the US are passing laws that make those effected the most, are hurting the most, and have lost the most, pay more. Not in dollars but in basic human rights, freedom, and basically living.

I woke up this morning, grabbed a cup of coffee, started returning last nights emails, and clicked my tv on. Channel 2 News. Just the Stepp family’s favorite news station. Although I’ve heard of cities making it illegal to be homeless, I really never allowed the thought to sink in. Urban Camping is the new catch phrase for living on the streets. Sounds like an adventure doesn’t it? Something you do on a 3 day weekend with your kids once a year. Or the Scout outing you went on as a kid. But it’s not.

Homelessness in America passed epidemic levels in 2009. Entire families, single moms, disenfranchised people, the mentally ill, etc. The list is too long to write in this post. I’ve heard it said that anyone could become homeless. I don’t believe that is true. Foe example. If my family lost our jobs, had no money, no friends to live with, couldn’t get help from government agencies, etc. We could move back to Kentucky. My family lives on a beautiful piece of land up there. It’s our little bit of Heaven. Three beautiful homes are on that land. Swimming pools, ponds, a lake, a high end horse ranch, etc. Absolutely gorgeous. But everyone doesn’t have that. Think beyond yourself.

This morning South Fulton County announced they passed a law banning urban camping. Roswell, Alpharetta, and many other local cities have these laws. What this does is it moves all the homeless families closer together. Eventually they will all be forced to be in the same place. Hearded and stored outside like cattle. A small area out of view from tourists, and the general population. A cardboard city. A city with no laws, no safety, and no hope. Rape, murder, robbery by default will be just a normal day. Is that what we have become? A nation that hides problems instead of caring enough to fix them

Trey Noran has a nonprofit in Las Vegas named :His Love Street Ministries”. He was the first one to bring this problem to my attention. Banning urban camping is making it illegal to be homeless unless they are in the controlled, forgotten, and lawless environment, out of sight, as I described above.

Seeing homeless families while I drive through a city doesn’t look good for the city. But there are alternatives. Instead of having government agencies handle the problem, a city could simply fund the homeless advocates in the area that have a history of being on the front line helping the homeless. Denver did. They started renting out abandoned hotels and allowing homeless nonprofits to manage them. They do a great job at about 10% of the cost. That is what Americans do. They show compassion, they do not hide the problem and hurt already hurting people. Make no mistake. When Jesus coined the phrase “The least of these”. The homeless, I believe, would be who he meant.