Hands4Hope outreaches serves hundreds in need during these cold months

Each year, Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference runs a multitude of winter-based activities and outreaches, including a Blanket Making Party, Warm & Fuzzy Drive, and Winter Boutique to support those in need in our community.

In November, Hands4Hope held their Sixth Annual Blanket Making Party, where over 100 youth and adult participants made 90 no-sew fleece blankets. These  will be distributed to the homeless and donated to Hands4Hope partner agencies that serve children, patients, and seniors in need.  JoAnn Fabrics Folsom assisted in the purchase of the large quantity of material needed by providing a variety of discounts and streamlining the purchase process, bringing in additional employees to help.  

“A big thank you to the kids at Hands4Hope for the new supply of blankets for our hospice patients! It was heartwarming to see the nurses talking about what color blankets patients would like. Everyone commented on how warm and cuddly the blankets are and how much the patients will enjoy them,” said Rachele Doty, First Call Hospice in Citrus Heights.

In addition to the blankets, Hands4Hope’s Warm and Fuzzy Drive collected over 5,000 warm necessities — clothing, shoes, socks, pajamas, coats, scarves and hats — and other items. These donations stocked the Sixth Annual Hands4Hope Winter Boutique, held at donated space near the H4H Youth Center in El Dorado Hills. Foster, kinship,  and low-income families were invited to the Boutique to “shop” for warm clothing and accessories.

The Winter Boutique project was led by a youth committee and adult advisors, who together planned, 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. Youth volunteers, ranging from second-graders to high school seniors, were responsible for greeting shoppers as well as helping them find needed items, and “check out.”

This year the Winter Boutique served 79 families, representing 475 individuals, and 2500 items were distributed.  All remaining items will be distributed at Hands4Hope’s homeless outreaches as well as donated to the Twin Lakes Food Bank’s clothing closet, Green Valley Community Church’s clothing closet and other partner agencies who assist individuals and families in need.

Thank you to all who participated in collecting Warm and Fuzzy donations including elementary schools Silva Valley, Oak Meadow, William Brooks and Lakeview, Marina Village Middle School’s Honor Society, National Charity League (NCL), DST, Jordan's Closet in Placerville, and United Methodist Women of the Foothill United Methodist Church in Rescue.

Hands4Hope is a non-profit, youth driven outreach and service learning organization based in El Dorado Hills.  The organization’s mission is to empower youth to make a positive difference in the world around them through Exploration, Action and Leadership.  Hands4Hope is comprised of youth volunteers ranging in age from kindergarten through 12th grade.  For more information, visit www.hands4hopeyouth.org or call the Hands4Hope Youth Center at 916-294-7426.