Hands4Hope collects over 2,700 pounds of food to help those in need

On Sunday, September 18, Hands4Hope held their annual Fall Food Blitz For The hungry to collect food and monetary donations from community members. The goal of this event was to support the continued efforts of local food banks and programs supporting the hungry, including the El Dorado County Food Bank and Twin Lakes Food Bank (Folsom).

The Food Blitz was a one-day drive, based at Safeway Placerville and Grocery Outlet Folsom, where Hands4Hope youth and adult volunteers handed out flyers on current community needs and collected donations from store patrons. The result was over 2,700 pounds of food and $1,183.99 in contributions that were later delivered to the benefiting food banks.

Yoko Kono, the Hands4Hope Outreach Coordinator, along with Hands4Hope youth volunteers, were touched by all of the community support the event received, but especially by one donor in particular.  “The best part of the event,” Kono explained, “was when a man who appeared homeless came up and donated $1, describing that he wanted to help.  He then quietly resumed what he had been doing before: sifting through the trash for cans.  It was such an amazing gesture to witness, and a great learning experience for the youth volunteers. The value of the $1 that the man gave was truly priceless!”

Hands4Hope would like to thank all of those who donated to the Food Blitz, as well as the participating grocery stores, Safeway Placerville and Grocery Outlet Folsom. The day would not have been a success without the overwhelming community support that Hands4Hope received.

Thank you to all who supported us - 2015 Benefit Dinner and Costume Gala

Our 6th Annual Benefit Dinner and Costume Ball, the “Twisted Carnival”, dedicated to supporting the nonprofit’s youth development program and numerous outreach activities, was a success!  Thank you to the Event Committee:  Cam Francis, Deanna Santana, Jamie McCullough, Jessie Baratta, Julie Busch, Laura Leszinske, along with Eric Zeps and many youth and adult volunteers for working so hard to create an amazing night.

(Photo Credit: Menka Belgal, see all night’s photos here)

Diane Wilkinson Catering provided a stellar dinner and assortment of appetizers.  Youth participants greeted and served the attendees in the most professional manner, gaining real life experience.  The “Rock Monsterz” entertained guests and Southern Wine & Spirits, Wine Warehouse and Madrona Vineyards provided the wine and Placerville Brewing Company provided the beer.  Thank you all!

(Photo Credit: Menka Belgal, see all night’s photos here)

There was a silent and live auction, a dessert auction, dancing, and a fun photo booth provided by Martell O’Neal/KellerWilliams (see photos here). “Good Day Sacramento” television personality Mark S Allen emceed the event in his usual spirited and fun fashion.  Hayley Lehtola, past H4H Youth Board President, told her story of how her involvement with Hands4Hope has impacted her life from the time she joined as a young high school student to how she lives her life now as a college student at UC Berkeley.

Due to the generosity of attendees, the live and silent auctions, in addition to our Fund A Need, Hands4Hope raised just over $30,000!

Thank you to our Platinum and Gold Sponsors - Wells Fargo, US Bank, El Dorado Disposal, Seafloor, Blue Shield of Ca., El Dorado Hills Town Center (A Development by The Mansour/Nagle).  Thank you also to our event Table Sponsors - Fergerson Financial, KMAX-TV/CW31, Romo Incentives Group, Tech Shop, and Western Sign Company for making this event possible.

Thank you to our raffle and auction donors (listed below) for providing amazing items that brought in over $15,000 to support Hands4Hope’s life changing programs:

Anne Rhea	El Dorado Hills Fire Department	Lava Cap Winery	Sacramento Zoo
Anisha Belgal	El Vaquero	Leszinski Family	San Francisco 49'ers
Art Haus Cinema	Esquire IMAX Theatre	Mama Ann's Deli	Sienna
Asante Spa	Fine Arts Museums of San Francsico	Madrona Vineyards	Sierra Nevada Recreation Corp
Atlantis Casino Resort & Spa	Fit Ride	Mark S Allen	Silva Family
Bassett Family	Funderland	Morris Law Group	Snooks
Bill Wild	Golden Gate Park	Museum of Natural History Los Angeles	Sugar Bowl Corporation
Blue & Gold Fleet	Granite Arch	Outhouse Collection	The Melting Pot
Brice Station	Granite Bay Golf Course	Peterson Family	The Rink
Buckendorf Family	Harvey's Casino & Hotel	Pham Family	Time Out Spa
Cache Creek Casino Resort	ICE by Donna Burke	Pier 39	Timeless Home Gallery
Chantom Vineyards	Ideal Impressions	Placerville Brewing Co	TraVigne, St. Helena
Charles Mitchell Winery	Ironstone Winery	Purple Place	Urban Wax
Crystal Basin Winery	Jessie Baratta	Rainbow Orchards	Weiner Family
David Morris Law	KidzGear	Relish Burger Bar	Wells Fargo
Doug & Julie Busch	Laughs Unlimited	Sacramento Republic FC	Whole Foods

Warm and Fuzzy Drive 2015

Thank you to the four El Dorado Hills elementary schools involved in our school drive, William Brooks, Silva Valley, Lakeview and Oak Meadow.  The school drive ends on October 23rd, however we will take contributions through the month of November at our youth center located at 877 Embarcadero Drive, El Dorado Hills.  Cub Scout pack 465 is also involved, if there are other groups that would like to contribute, we would love their help! Please contact Laura Buehler at laura@hands4hopeyouth.org.

All of the donations will be used in the winter boutique which will be open for families in need in early December.  If H4H participants want to get involved with the planning of the winter boutique, please email laura@hands4hopeyouth.org.

Hands4Hope’s 2nd Annual School Supply Drive serves 394 students with essential school supplies for this year.

Youth Participants getting bags ready to go hand out fliers door to door in El Dorado Hills based neighborhoods.

Hands4Hope hosted their 2nd Annual School Supply Drive to benefit children in need in El Dorado and Sacramento Counties with essential school supplies for the 2015-2016 school year.  The drive collected 2298 school supplies that helped 394 El Dorado County students, grades Kindergarten through 12th.  This is 100 more local students served than last year.

Hands4Hope youth leaders & volunteers worked with local businesses, agencies and community members to collect items such as: backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens, scissors and other school supply items.

The 2nd Annual School Supply Drive was led by Kelly McMillen, H4H School Supply Drive youth intern and Oak Ridge Senior, who was mentored by Nicole Craine, H4H Youth Development Coordinator.

Youth participants and Adult mentor at our Table Event at the Office Max in Placerville.

“All of the students were incredibly thrilled to be getting new backpacks and supplies. It was an awesome experience to see how excited kids were about the small supplies like a brand new pencil or binder. It made me realize how lucky I am to have school supplies that are easily accessible,” McMillen explained. “ At the end, right before we packed up, a second grade girl came in. She picked out a new blue backpack, gave me a giant smile, and proceeded to do that for every single thing she got. That experience was extremely humbling and gratifying for all the work put into the collection and distribution. She and all the other kids were so grateful for even the simplest pencil topper,” continued McMillen.

Youth Participant assisting an elementary school student pick out her school supplies.

Thank you to the community members who participated in this drive for bringing joy and confidence to local students this year.  Thank you also to the following local businesses and agencies: El Dorado Hills Library, Cameron Park Library, re: Visions, Placerville Library, El Dorado Hills CSD, California Welcome Center, Hangtown Skate Shop, Blue Shield of California, El Dorado Disposal, DST, Gift of Kids, USA Stars Soccer Academy and Ethos Soccer Club.

Our Annual Winter Boutique was a Success! Thank you to all who donated, volunteered and assisted with this great outreach!

This past October, El Dorado County elementary schools including Silva Valley, William Brooks, Lakeview, Oak Meadow, Green Valley, and Phoenix Private School in Folsom participated in the Hands4Hope Warm & Fuzzy Drive, encouraging students to donate warm necessities like clothing, shoes, socks, pajamas, coats, scarves and hats.  Combined, this community contributed over 4,000 pieces of warm clothing and other items. 

Upon completion of the Drive, students at Oak Ridge High School washed and sorted the clothes.  These donations stocked the 5^th Annual Hands4Hope Winter Boutique for foster and low income families held at donated space near the H4H Youth Center in El Dorado Hills. Individuals were invited to “shop” for necessary warm clothing and accessories,. 

The Winter Boutique project was led by a committee of youth, 6^th to 12^th grades, and adult advisors, who together decided on a theme and hours for the Boutique, and decorated and organized it for a positive and festive shopping experience. They also organized a marketing campaign to get the word out to local schools and agencies.

The boutique was open for two weekends in December, where youth volunteers were responsible for greeting shoppers as well as helping them find needed items, and "check out".  The youth volunteers ranged in grades from 2nd-12^th and came from schools throughout El Dorado and Sacramento Counties.

Tenth Grader and Hands4Hope youth volunteer Devin Garber explained it best, “Many people tell me that by volunteering for those in need, I am helping change lives for the better. Little do they know, though I am helping people, it is they who are really helping me.  I have taken notice of so such in my life: my blessings, all I have to be thankful for, and I have become aware of difficulties within this community and surrounding communities. My time at the winter boutique was an amazing experience!  I met great people who had the brightest smiles on their face even through their times of difficulty. These smiling, thankful, and simply wonderful people are the reason I so thoroughly enjoy volunteering with Hands4Hope!”

Devin’s brother, Greyson (grade 7) adds, “The shoppers were very friendly people who were always smiling, laughing, and saying "thank you".  They were very grateful.”

The 2014 Winter Boutique almost doubled its numbers from last year in regards to assisting individuals in the community.  This year, a total of 87 families were served, representing 374 individuals, and 2,000 items were distributed. Agencies who partnered with Hands4Hope to get the word out were: Cameron Park Community Center, Mercy Housing, New Morning Youth & Family Services, Women’s Center, El Dorado County, Sierra Child and Family Services, El Dorado Mental Health, WIC, El Dorado Caring Hearts, Twin Lakes Food Bank, Lilliput, Wake Program, Early Head Start, El Dorado County Help For Christmas Facebook Campaign, and Foster Family Services. 

Hands4Hope volunteers also distributed 450 pieces of clothing and blankets at their annual Powerhouse Ministries Thanksgiving Dinner distribution, and 1,200 pieces of clothing, shoes and other accessories to some of their partner agencies including to Green Valley Community Church, Twin Lakes Food Bank, and New Morning Shelter, as well as directly to homeless on the street.   Without the community’s support, this could not have happened. Hands4Hope extends a huge Thank You to all who were a part of this effort.

2014 Blanket Making Party: 102 Blankets warm blankets made for those in need in our community.

Last Friday, we hosted our annual Blanket Making Party at Oak Ridge High School, where youth and adult volunteers alike made "no-sew" fleece blankets.  These blankets are distributed to the homeless, during the cold winter months, through our homeless outreaches and given to our partner agencies who help the homeless. 

A total of 102 blankets were made in this one night! 

We also had a local soccer team make an additional 20 more to contribute to the cause!

Thank you all who attended and assisted!

Hands4Hope Youth Board Welcomes New Board President

Last May Hands4Hope Youth Leader Haley Latola, Senior at Oak Ridge High, was named the Hands4Hope Youth Board President for the 2014-2015 year. Haley gladly accepted and has been hard at work with Hands4Hope staff and peer Youth Leaders to kick off the 2014-2015 Hands4Hope Club Year. Haley's family has recently been given the opportunity to move to Sicily Italy.  Haley will be leaving her position as Youth Board President in October to seize the opportunity and prospect of adventure in Italy!  We are so grateful for Haley’s dedication to Hands4Hope, as well as her countless hours of service to the community! It is with a heavy heart that we say arrivederci to Haley.

We are excited to announce that there is a member of our current Hands4Hope Leadership Team who is ready and willing to step into the role of Youth Board President, and work in tandem with Haley until her departure next month. Hands4Hope is thrilled to announce Chieme Ohanele, a Senior at Oak Ridge High, as the new 2014-2015 Hands4Hope Youth Board President. 

Along with Chieme’s appointment to Youth Board President, the other three Youth Board positions have been appointed as follows: Youth Board Vice President -Noopur Khachane (Senior at Mira Loma High); Youth Board Secretary-Danielle DiOrio (Senior at Ponderosa High); Youth Board Treasure-Jasmine Lyon (Junior at Folsom High). 

We are confident that the new Hands4Hope Youth Board Leadership Team will work together to successfully lead the Youth Board and provide outstanding peer leadership, as well as invaluable contributions from a youth perspective to the Hands4Hope organization as a whole.

Team Hope will be back in session on Wednesday September 17th.

Team Hope is the Hands4Hope afterschool program for the students in elementary school.  Team Hope meets once per month to discuss upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.  The meetings are fun and allow for members to explore ways to give back to the community, plan group outreach projects and volunteer in the community.

Team Hope's first informational meeting will be held on Wednesday September 17, 2014 from 3:30pm - 4:30pm at the Hands4Hope Youth Center, located at 877 Embaradero Dr., El Dorado Hills (next to the El Dorado Saloon).

For more information about Hands4Hope, visit www.hands4hopeyouth.org or call 916-294-7426.

For information about Team Dream and Team Inspire, our school club programs for middle school students and high school students, visit www.hands4hopeyouth.org, click on Get Involved, School Clubs.

Highlights from our annual Hands4Hope Youth Leadership Camp

Seventeen high school Hands4Hope Club leaders participated in the 4th Annual Hands4Hope Youth Leadership Camp, spending 2 nights and 3 days at the Coloma Outdoor Discovery School (CODS) in Coloma. This camp provided an opportunity for all of the Hands4Hope (H4H) High School Club leaders to come together from six local high schools including: Union Mine, El Dorado, Ponderosa, Oak Ridge, Folsom, and Mira Loma. 

Hands4Hope High School Club Leaders participated in both the low and high ropes courses at CODS. In addition, the H4H Leaders participated in a series of workshops focused on strength-based leadership development, meeting and project development skills, and site-based teambuilding. We were also fortunate to have El Dorado County Sherriff D’Agostini as our camp closing speaker. 

These teambuilding and leadership development opportunities provide an excellent opportunity for Hands4Hope youth leaders to build foundational skills essential for running a successful service learning club in the 2014-2015 school year. Hands4Hope staff will continue to support and offer additional progressive leadership skill building opportunities for our young leaders throughout the year. 

Haley Lehtola, this year’s Youth Board President, had this to say about Hands4Hope’s Leadership Camp, “I have gone to camp for the past two year and can honestly say that I use the skills from camp everyday. With Hands4Hope, I am pushed past my comfort zone and grow as a leader. I also love getting the opportunity to bond with my fellow leaders so we can work together throughout the year.”

Our high school H4H Club leaders are excited to kick off the 2014 - 2015 school club year; many have meetings scheduled for as early as mid-September.