OCALA — Hundreds of local residents will attest to this after their experience with the House of Angels this holiday season: Never underestimate the power of a determined mother.

The genesis of the Ocala-based House of Angels program came a decade ago, as Marie Fields sat with her young daughters, Christina and Aishia, watching the scenes of suffering on their television following Hurricane Andrew. When the young girls expressed a desire to help the storm's victims, she saw an opportunity to make those wishes become a reality and encourage her children's generous instincts. “My mom always raised us to follow our dreams,” Fields explains. “If they have an idea, I want to bring it out of them.”

With that in mind, Fields approached co-workers at WTRS “Thunder Country” 102.3 FM, and was soon appearing on the radio station's talk shows discussing the need for assistance in South Florida. Listeners began bringing donations to the radio station, as well as Fields' home, and a moving truck soon whisked the supplies off to where they were urgently needed.

Seeing that they could make a difference, Fields and her family continued with other charitable projects, and in 1997, the House of Angels came into being. The organization has many activities — the family is also a performing arts group with frequent local performances — all designed to help people.

The House of Angels' signature project is teddy bears. Fields collects them at Evergreen Elementary School, where she works as an instructional paraprofessional, and at her home. This year's haul totals more than 900 of the bears and other stuffed animals — “one of our better years,” according to Fields. The total was boosted by the philanthropy of Evergreen's students. One young girl arrived with 30 donations after Fields explained her program during the school's morning announcements and her classmates quickly followed that lead.

The bears now rest at the Fields' home and at a local storage unit, waiting to be delivered to welcoming arms around Central Florida and in other states.

In the days before Christmas, Fields distributes the bears to local hospitals, homes and anywhere else a person might need cheering up. She brings her husband, Charles, and her children, Dometrious Bowen, 24; Jamese Bowen, 22; Latonia Speed, 18; Aishia Bowen, 15; Paul Caldwell Jr., 14; and Christina Caldwell, 12, along to help. The bears appear on the beds of sick children, under the Christmas trees of low-income families and on the doorsteps of senior citizens. “Nobody gets left out,” says Fields.

Though House of Angels became a non-profit organization two years ago, they are not primarily interested in collecting money and have no desire to expand their operation above the level of direct, personal assistance. She characterizes the organization as a “pay-it-forward” endeavor, in which the recipients of kind acts show their appreciation by helping someone themselves.

They plan to continue what they've been doing for over seven years. Their payment arrives when they see their good works ripple through a community. “We don’t ask for money,” Fields explains. “We just ask that they help three other people.”

Fields' emphasis of deeds over funds, however, often leaves her holding a bill from an organization that does require cash payment. Fields does not consider those expenses a problem. “Most of what we need comes right out of my pocket, and I don’t mind doing it,” she insists. “I know God’s going to give it back to me.”