Volunteer Spotlight: Kimberly

Hands4Hope is very fortunate to have Kimberly as one of our dedicated and hard working adult volunteers.

Kimberly got involved with Hands4Hope as it was becoming a non profit and has since spent tireless hours to help develop, lead, and fundraise for our programs. She is the Secretary for the Hands4Hope Board of Directors, and has been a key volunteer for the Haunted House and many of our outreach events.

She says she's always had a desire to volunteer. "I did it in high school and I always wanted to do it with my kids," she says. "As a family it helps us stay grounded and feel thankful for what we have."

She remembers the first time she and her kids volunteered to collect toiletries for the Warm & Fuzzy Drive in 2008. "My kids were asking me why we were collecting toilet paper and I had to explain to them that some people can't afford it."

"My favorite event is Homeless Outreach because my kids get to see not everyone has enough to live." she says. "My daughter Hallie asked why we just can't build them all a house," she says, "but handing out the items from the Warm & Fuzzy drive at least lets us fell like we can do something."

Kimberly says her family has done many memorable things by volunteering with Hands4Hope. "It makes us grateful to be a family because so many people don't have one."

Kimberly says she's happy to see youth getting involved in the community. "Hands4Hope has helped me fulfill my passion for volunteering. I am glad to do it in our community. It's non denominational, and kids of any age can participate. I am grateful to do it and pass it on to my kids."

Thank you for all you do, Kimberly!  We appreciate all of the valuable time you spend to help make Hands4Hope what it is!!

2011 Haunted House A Success!

Here are a few pictures from the Hands4Hope Haunted House.  It's the biggest fundraiser we put on and our volunteers have the best time.

For 3 months - volunteers (youth and adult) build and decorate our elaborate Haunted House.  Each year (this was our second year) the theme changes, and the characters and props inside change too.  This year - those who dared visited The Haunted Saloon!

The majority of all of the items inside are donated... and all of our live "characters" inside are youth volunteers.  It is so much fun to see it all come together... and the kids have a great time scaring the poop out of our visitors on their 5 minute journey through the saloon.  During the 3 weekends we were open, our Haunted House had more than 3,000 visitors!  

Our youth and adult volunteers spent thousands of hours making this happen.

Each night - about 25 different youth volunteers were dressed up as characters to make the haunted house scary... 

 They did an awesome job and it was so much fun to be there and watch the visitors come out!  

We got so many wonderful reviews... and most importantly, we raised a lot of money to support our community programs and youth outreach activities that support the great mission of Hands4Hope.

Written By: Tracy Lesher, Communications Coordinator

Painting The Gracie Bus

Winter is just around the corner, and already, our temperatures have dropped.

Each year, many people in Placerville are left to freeze on the streets.  This year, our youth helped paint a donated bus to help transport these people back and forth between shelters and keep them warm.

It was painted with lots of love!

Thank you volunteers!

Many people will appreciate the hard work and love you put into painting this bus this winter.

Blanket Making Party

Each winter, many people in our community can't afford to stay warm.

Our youth are doing their part to try and help!

They hand made (with love) more than 70 blankets... we made a difference, and it was fun!!

These blankets will be distributed at our outreach events in Placerville & Sacramento.

Thank you volunteers!

Sponsor A Blanket for our Warm & Fuzzy Drive

Our Warm & Fuzzy Drive is going on NOW! 

We are collecting new and gently used items to keep people in our community warm.
All sizes appreciated – Infant through Adult XL
{no summer clothes please}

Most Needed:
Sweatshirts,  Sweatpants, Pajamas, Adult Socks, Blankets, Sleeping Bags

Also Needed:
Warm Pants, Long-Sleeve Shirts, Sweaters, Hats, Gloves, Scarves

Greatly appreciated:
Gift Cards to Payless Shoe Source, WalMart & Target

Accepting Donations At These Locations:
Oak Meadow Elementary School (NOW thru Nov 4)
Marina Village Middle School (NOW thru Nov 4)
Oak Ridge High School (Nov 1 – 11)
William Brooke Elementary School (Nov 7 – 18)

{Donations may be dropped in large blue bins outside school offices or in collection boxes inside classrooms.}

Sponsor a hand made blanket made with love by our youth.
The cost is $12 for supplies.
{We accept all major credit cards}

This year, we are running low on supplies for our blanket making.  We would love your support!

Sponsor 1 Blanket – $12.00

To Sponsor... Click here!

{These are our youth making blankets last year!}

Youth Volunteer Spotlight: Andrew

Andrew has been a very important part of Hands4Hope since it began.

"My mom (Jennifer) started Hands4Hope because she wanted to teach my brother and me to appreciate all we have," he said. "At first, I had no choice whether I wanted to volunteer or not, but after doing a couple events, it started making me feel like I am important and making a difference."

Andrew said Hands4Hope has made him appreciate more about his life and the things he has to be thankful for, including his mom. She has taught him quite a few things since starting Hands4Hope. "I'm really glad my mom started this. She's always wanted to make a difference and she taught me that when you set your mind to something, you can achieve it. I'm proud of her."

Although he loves many events, he said working at the Green Valley Community Church Kid's Cafe is one of his favorites. "There is this little boy that comes that I have really connected with," he said. "I feel like I am a role model for him because he doesn't have any older siblings."

Feeding the homeless has made him realize the importance of doing well in school and staying away from drugs. He also said it made him feel more connected to the community. "A woman came up to me and said 'it's because of people like you that make me want to keep on living'. I will never forget that."

"I'll always be a volunteer," he said. "Life is different for me because of Hands4Hope. I've been enlightened and have a lot more gratitude because of it."

Andrew has volunteered countless hours setting up and working the Haunted House. "I love it," he said. "Building it has been awesome!"

Thank you, Andrew, for all of your hard work!!

Youth Volunteer Spotlight: Nicole

Nicole started volunteering with Hands4Hope in 2008 when the organization began.

When she first got started, she says she was a little nervous. "I didn't know how to react, or what to say," she said. It's a step out of your comfort zone, but "I hope to see more people in our community take the steps to make a difference," she said.

Nicole likes helping those in and around her community. "I love seeing a direct impact on our local area," she said. "I think a lot of other organizations make a difference around the country, but we help people who live around us."

Nicole says her favorite volunteer event is the Sacramento Homeless Outreach. "I love going down there because there are no other agencies, we are just directly helping people that we serve."

"I remember there was this little family, a woman and her children and all of their belongings fit into a shopping cart," she said. "They were so thankful to get basic toiletries and I remember thinking, we have a whole house, and all they have is a shopping cart."

Nicole says Hands4Hope has offered her a unique experience in her community. "I've made friends with people from other schools and made connections with people who have the same interests as me."

She says Hands4Hope has taught her a lot about life. "I've learned to appreciate everything I have and the people in my life," she said. "It's also taught me that I have the ability to make a difference if I am willing to work hard and put the time in."

Nicole has worked very hard to help create a Hands4Hope Club at St. Francis High School. So far, more than 130 students have taken an interest in seeing what the organization does! "Being a part of Hands4Hope gives me a sense of belonging and thankfulness and I think others want to feel that same way."

Thank you for all you do, Nicole!