Volunteer Spotlight: Jacob

Jacob's roots in the organization run deep, from the very beginning. He's spent much of his time since 2008 volunteering and helping build the organization.

"Even if I am having a bad day, I will go to an event and have a lot of fun," he said. "You get a warm feeling inside that you did a good thing, and it makes you feel good about yourself."

Jacob says his favorite event is the Warm & Fuzzy Drive. "I like it because you help so many people. A 10 dollar sweater will make a big difference to someone."

Another one of Jacob's favorite things is homeless outreach.  "I used to see a woman in her 40's and I would remember her.  She was so nice to us and I was making a difference in her life.  She was always so happy to see us."

He also said he has some good memories of doing homeless outreach with friends. "We talk about what we're doing together and we get to share the happiness."

"I used to be a little greedy," he said, remembering his 'earlier' years. "But now, (Hands4Hope) has turned me around. It made me realize (life) could be a lot worse than losing a video game, some people lose their home. I guess I didn't really see that before."

Jacob says the main reason he volunteers is because it makes him feel good. "You make someone happy, you get happy." 

Thank you, Jacob, for your hard work. Keep it up!

Cat Food Drive

Team Dream (our middle school team) decided they wanted to raise money and help out an animal facility in need.  

Here's the story from Andrew:

"During the cat food drive we made a goal to collect $1000 worth in cat food. The drive lasted two weeks and took place during the first two weeks of April. The drive took place at Rolling Hills Middle School and Marina Village Middle School. All cat food and money collected was going to AGEE wildlife sanctuary.

 In the end the total was approximately $800 worth of cat food. The check was presented to the founder of AGEE at the AGEE facilities."

Walk 'N Rock 2011

This year, Hands4Hope participated in the Walk 'N Rock for Kids in Downtown Sacramento!

Together, we raised money for WIND Youth Services.

It was a beautiful morning to walk around the city!

Our Soldier Care Package Drive!

{the committee preparing the boxes & bins to collect items in}

The Hands for Hope Soldier Care Package Drive is a truly wonderful drive held in Town Center by Hands for Hope. The items that we collect and package are sent out to the soldiers after the 4th of July. We hold the drive to show appreciation for the soldiers that fight for us as we go about our everyday lives. Looking at letters that we have received in the past from soldiers, we can see just how much of a difference our drive makes. The drive is the perfect way for us to support our soldiers. We may not be able to call the soldiers and personally thank them for their dedication, but we can show our gratitude through the letters and care packages. The soldiers love receiving treats and items like beef jerky and hand wipes, and the letters truly touch their hearts.

I just joined Hands for Hope, and this is the first project I have participated in, and definitely not the last. I feel so fortunate that I have had the opportunity to help put together the drive. It is important that all Americans reach out and make a difference in lives besides their own, and now the people in El Dorado Hills have that chance. The members of the drive committee are satisfied in knowing that we have put our hearts into the cause to help the soldiers. I believe that the other members of our community will do the same- step out of their homes, donate, and make a difference.

-Ameilia, Team Inspire

H4H Homeless Panel Hits Home With Youth & Adults

More than 100 people came together to listen to a panel of three homeless individuals talk about their walk through life. More than half of the attendees were kids, some learning about homelessness for the first time.

Jessie Mills, a teen currently living at Wind Youth Shelter; Donnie Maggard, a homeless man residing in Placerville; and Vivek Anand, a 24-year-old from Sacramento, captured the attention of the crowd as they discussed the harsh realities of homelessness, taking time to answer questions from the audience very openly and candidly. 

Their stories touched the hearts of the attendees, many noting that it sparked family conversations and reminded them that every homeless person has a story. Each speaker, when asked what they would like to do in the future said they would like to help others who are struggling as they are now. They may not have much to give financially, but they have loads to give . . . and so do we.

Read more about the event by reading the article in Village Life.

Volunteer Spotlight: Samita!

Samita is one of our hard working high schoolers! She joined Hands4Hope at the beginning of her freshman year of high school in 2009. Since joining, she has gotten very involved with our Team Inspire group and spends several hours volunteering.

Samita says one of her most memorable moments happened while working with a young boy at the Kids Cafe in Placerville. "I told him he was good at math and his whole face lit up! I realized how hard it is for kids to get attention when they have their lifestyle."

Samita says she loves Hands4Hope because it allows her to directly interact with people. "My favorite part of the organization is going to the Green Valley Community Church on Saturdays," she said. "I get to work hands on with people and you can see the appreciation for everything in their face."

Her involvement in Hands4Hope has also given her the opportunity to realize things about her own life. "I feel so privledged and lucky for everything I have," she said. "It never registered to me until I started volunteering that some people don't have clean water to brush their teeth."

Getting other friends involved is something Samita enjoys doing. "I tell them how amazing it feels to actually make a difference. I've gotten so much out of this."

Thank you, Samita, for your hard work. Keep it up!

Spring Blitz: Best to Date

Hands4Hope held its bi-annual Spring Food Bank Blitz on April 2, 2011. The event was a huge success, with more than 200 volunteers helping to spread awareness of hunger to shoppers at 10 grocery stores from Orangevale to Placerville. 

Partnering with volunteers from various organizations throughout the area, such as Holy Trinity Community Church, Boy Scout Pack 454, Twin Lakes Food Bank, and Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, we collected more than 4,000 pounds of food and $10,400 in cash and gift cards. The food and money collected will help feed hungry people in Sacramento and El Dorado Counties.

If you missed out on this Blitz, you can sign up for our second one coming up in August. Keep checking our website for more information on dates and sign ups.