The Board of Directors for the Least of These are ordinary, everyday people with a commitment and passion to make a difference in the world. They have a heart for the people they are serving and an abiding love for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tyler Kangas
President
Tyler Kangas is the president and co-founder of The Least of These. As a small-business owner, he brings valuable experience and insight to the management of the organization. In addition, Tyler is the graphic arts specialist and web site manager. He oversees the design of the promotional materials, including the web site; works as staff photographer; and produces TLOT’s informational DVD on Haiti.

Beyond the practical aspects of TLOT, Tyler cares about people and serving the Lord. As a teenager, For several years, he and his wife Kathy were foster parents and childbirth educators, while also raising a family. Then in September 2003, he started accompanying Kathy on mission trips to Haiti, bringing donations to orphanages and Christian ministries there. Most recently, Tyler and Kathy have adopted a Haitian daughter, Magnalie.

“The Least of These is an exciting venture for us,” says Tyler, “and although the needs are often overwhelming, it is gratifying to know that even small endeavors go a long way. It is a privilege to me to serve God in this organization and to work with such a competent Board of Directors.”

Tyler and Kathy live in South Grafton, Massachusetts and have four children—Amanda, Landon, Annsie, and Magnalie. They attend HighPointe Church in Thompson, Connecticut.
Contact: tkkangas@aol.com

Kathy Kangas
Vice President
As vice president, Kathy Kangas manages the day-to-day operations of The Least of These, but she is also the visionary behind the missions organization. In 1999, after reading the book Revolution in World Missions, by K.P. Yohannan, Kathy committed herself to helping people in need by starting a ministry called the Homebound Missionary. As the work of the Homebound Missionary grew, and the needs she saw became greater, the ministry evolved to become The Least of These. (How It All Began).

However, Kathy’s heart has always been to care for people. She served as the Director of Childbirth Education Services of Worcester County, which taught childbirth classes and trained midwives; co-authored a book on childbirth; and studied midwifery.
“The Least of These is proof to me that the Lord uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things,” says Kathy. “When I am on the plane heading to Haiti, I can’t believe God is using me in this wonderful way. During the whole trip, I am full of worship and praise that God would send me, a nobody with no special talents, to Haiti to help change people’s lives. It overwhelms me when I think of what I get to do. I even forget my fear of flying. Everyday, I am in awe at what He is allowing us to do for His glory, and I am thankful.”
Contact: tkkangas@aol.com

Darlene Hurst
Secretary and Sewing Group Coordinator
The most recent addition to the Homebound Missions board of directors is Darlene Hurst, who has taken on the role of secretary. Although currently retired, Darlene was a registered nurse for 49 years, specializing in geriatrics and mental health—a vocation that she enjoyed very much. She now brings her compassion and concern for people to the work of Homebound Missions.

 Darlene started volunteering for the organization as a sewer about four years ago. As she became more involved in the ministry, her love for the work grew, eventually leading her to go on two mission trips to Haiti. “My heart is totally involved in the ministry. I love the Haitian people and can spend hours and hours sewing for the children. It just doesn’t feel like work,” says Darlene. “On my last mission trip, I was also able to hand out Bibles. I’ve heard stories about this, but to actually participate was wonderful.”

 Besides secretary, Darlene also serves as the sewing group coordinator. Since its inception, the Least of These has promoted sewing as a practical and needful way to contribute to the organization, and Homebound Missions will continue this ministry. Using donated fabric and materials, individual sewers and sewing groups provide a variety of items to Haitian orphanages: diapers, receiving blankets, dresses for girls from  infants to teens, and scrubs and t-shirts for boys. As coordinator, Darlene organizes and supports the sewing groups around the country, as well as developing and introducing new sewing projects to the groups each year.

 Darlene and her husband Robert reside in Pascoag, RI and between the two of them have 15 children: Deborah, Frank, James, Daniel, Susan, Aimee, Michael, Jennifer, Robert, Debra, Shawn, Jeffrey, Shawn, Gregory, and Kyle. The couple attend Community Baptist Church in Pascoag.

Meet Our Staff

Monica Robinson
Bookkeeper
Monica Robinson  volunteers as the staff bookkeeper. for The Least of These.  She became involved with the organization through her friendship with Kathy and Tyler Kangas. With an associate’s degree in accounting and experience managing the financial end of her family’s business, Monica was a valuable addition to our staff.

“What keeps me involved with TLOT,” says Monica, “is seeing the love that Kathy and Ty have for the people in Haiti. As I become more involved, I have a greater understanding of the need there and really want to see TLOT’s vision become a reality. With that vision comes hope—the hope that each person impacted by this organization will gain the understanding of how Jesus can change their lives in practical ways.”

Monica and her husband Robert live in Putnam, Connecticut with their three daughters, Madilyn, Gabrielle, and Sidney. They attend HighPointe Church in Thompson, Connecticut.

Vernon Uhlinger Jr.
Donations Coordinator
Vern Uhlinger serves as Donations Coordinator and proactively seeks out businesses who would be interested in donating wares, services, or funds to TLOT. He is also the contact person for individuals desiring to make a donation. In his everyday life, Vern works as an inspector for an aerospace company that manufactures rocket and airplane parts. He also enjoys raising honeybees, making maple syrup, and riding his motorcycle.

Vern's heart turned to missions work one Sunday evening after hearing a guest speaker at his church talk about the subject. Wondering how he might become involved in missions, Vern prayed for the Lord's guidance, and the Spirit led him to the Kangas's. "I asked them if they would like help in getting donations, and they said Yes!" Vern recalls. "It brings me great joy to support The Least of These and help spread the Word of Jesus Christ. I feel that the Lord has opened this door for me."

Vern and his wife Jode happily reside in Pomfret Center, Connecticut, with their daughter Cheyenne. The Uhlingers attend HighPointe Church in Thompson, Connecticut.

Darlene Hurst
Secretary and Sewing Group Coordinator
The most recent addition to the Homebound Missions board of directors is Darlene Hurst, who has taken on the role of secretary. Although currently retired, Darlene was a registered nurse for 49 years, specializing in geriatrics and mental health—a vocation that she enjoyed very much. She now brings her compassion and concern for people to the work of Homebound Missions.

 Darlene started volunteering for the organization as a sewer about four years ago. As she became more involved in the ministry, her love for the work grew, eventually leading her to go on two mission trips to Haiti. “My heart is totally involved in the ministry. I love the Haitian people and can spend hours and hours sewing for the children. It just doesn’t feel like work,” says Darlene. “On my last mission trip, I was also able to hand out Bibles. I’ve heard stories about this, but to actually participate was wonderful.”

 Besides secretary, Darlene also serves as the sewing group coordinator. Since its inception, the Least of These has promoted sewing as a practical and needful way to contribute to the organization, and Homebound Missions will continue this ministry. Using donated fabric and materials, individual sewers and sewing groups provide a variety of items to Haitian orphanages: diapers, receiving blankets, dresses for girls from  infants to teens, and scrubs and t-shirts for boys. As coordinator, Darlene organizes and supports the sewing groups around the country, as well as developing and introducing new sewing projects to the groups each year.

 Darlene and her husband Robert reside in Pascoag, RI and between the two of them have 15 children: Deborah, Frank, James, Daniel, Susan, Aimee, Michael, Jennifer, Robert, Debra, Shawn, Jeffrey, Shawn, Gregory, and Kyle. The couple attend Community Baptist Church in Pascoag.