EASTON, Pa. — Dana Kozinski, the central founder of Angels of Easton, has found that her generosity can inspire charitable acts in return.
For the past year, Kozinski has been working with her volunteer group to provide food and other resources to Easton’s unhoused community.
Though she has faced her fair share of obstacles, a recent donation from a community member could help Kozinski make significant progress in her work.
Kozinski also works with Mighty Pawz and KaosCritters to assist pets in need, and using her experience, was recently helping a neighbor search for their missing dog. While working alongside KaosCritters member Kjell Geosits, the two formed an instant connection.
The next day, Kjell reached out to Kozinski with a generous offer. She had recently bought a camper for her father, who then moved into an apartment instead. Originally planning to put the camper up for sale, Kjell decided to donate it to Kozinski instead.
“She was like, ‘I spent a short amount of time with you… I couldn’t think of a better person to give it to than you… you deserve this camper,'” said Kozinski. “She said, ‘you deserve to be inside while feeding them or prepping for them,’ because she knows we’re struggling for space, and I was at a loss. I was speechless.”
Kozinski quickly posted the good news to the Angels of Easton Facebook group, and other offers began rolling in—she could be receiving up to three campers for her cause.
While abundantly grateful, Kozinski cannot fully take advantage of the campers without the land to store them. Until then, one of her volunteers has offered to tow it to their usual location when needed.
With these campers, Kozinski would not only expand her storage space but also offer a place for people to warm up and use the shower and bathroom. As the weather gets colder, the campers can also be used to keep volunteers warm while serving meals.
“They support me here, they want better for me, and they want more for me,” said Kozinski. “This community is fabulous.”
Kozinski has also continued to develop partnerships with local restaurants, including La Bella, Little CALI, Easton Bakery, and Colonial Pizza. Mi Casa, which already donates pizzas regularly, is also looking to hold a fundraiser where a percentage of profits would go to Kozinski’s efforts.
On Monday, Oct. 27, the Buns on the Go food truck partnered with Kozinski to provide meals during one of her biweekly distributions for the unhoused.
“There were so many people down there,” said Kozinski, “and one of my volunteers said, ‘This is like a party,’ and I said You know what, this is a party. They all sat around and talked and laughed with all my volunteers and each other for almost four hours straight.”
Kozinski also hopes to hold a substantial food drive in November and fill her entire driveway with donations. The drive is not only for Thanksgiving meals but also for support during the current government shutdown, which has paused SNAP benefits.
On Thursday, Oct. 23, Kozinski joined councilwoman Taiba Sultana and others at a roundtable meeting at Halal Food Express in downtown Easton.
The group discussed how to make local positive change and collaborated to help the community, the unhoused, and the struggling working class.
On Monday, Nov. 3, WFMZ 69 News will join Kozinski and her volunteers to amplify her efforts to raise awareness and build greater community support.
“I want to make sure I’m making the right choice for the community and for me… but my goal at the end of the day is just to help,” said Kozinski.
