Youth Volunteer Spotlight: Bailee

Bailee started volunteering with Hands4Hope after getting involved with the H4H club at Rolling Hills Middle School. Since her first experience volunteering at the Food Bank Blitz, she's been jumping in to get involved with as many outreach opportunities possible.

"I love volunteering with my friends because it's something to do besides just hanging out," she said.

Bailee has spent many hours volunteering time at Green Valley Community Church, going out for our Homeless Outreaches in both Sacramento & Placerville, and getting involved with our yearly events like the Haunted House and Gifts of Mercy dinner. 

She said with all of her experiences, a few memories stick out in her mind.

"I was doing a Homeless Outreach in Placerville and we went to a motel and someone we served was a 16 or 17 year old kid. It was shocking to see people around my age that were homeless and it make me really appreciate my life more," she said.

She also has specific memories of making santa cupcakes for the youth at a local Mercy Housing facility and the impact her cupcakes would have on them.

Bailee says one of the best things about Hands4Hope is the opportunity to meet so many new friends and be involved in helping others at the same time. "It's a great way to spend my free time and I have met so many people," she said. "It's really become a big part of my life."

Most importantly, she said, is that volunteering has taught her to "be more down to earth and nice".

"Everyone should try volunteering once."

Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to Hands4Hope, Bailee!

 In a sea of bags for Homeless Outreach

Making dog biscuits with her club at RHMS

Homeless Outreach Sacramento

Bailee at The Haunted House

The Experience of Planning Our Fundraiser

My experience planning the Wind Spaghetti Dinner Benefit was really a success and has left me with many lessons. 

 The initial start of the planning of this event began about a year ago, and the idea to keep it going began to fade away until a few of us recently got motivated again. I think our whole team saw the value of communication, and that without it the planning of the event could become very strenuous. However, I think the speaker at our event said it best, "People are like flowers in a garden and it takes longer for some to blossom".  

It is a leader's responsibility to help others grow to their fullest potential. I hope that this event was a great experience for our whole youth board to grow and learn from. And this event really showed me what youth are capable of. 

 Our astounding success really touched me and is yet another driving force for my desire to volunteer. The participation of the community and getting to interact with Wind really shows what this organization is about. 

 I learned about coordinating events, but also about working with people. The planning of this event was an act of determination for everyone involved. It ran so smoothly, our end goal was doubled, and we successfully accomplished our first fundraiser for a truly great cause, I could not have asked for more. 

Written By: Emily

 Emily with WIND Director Mike Brim

 Co-Coordinators Emily & Kirsti

 The decor looked great!

 Signing in our guests.

 Inspiring guest speaker Tony Asaro from the Sacramento River Cats.

The WIND Youth Band!  They were great!