Outreach Highlights: Winter Boutique

It’s that time of year again! Hands4Hope is preparing for one of its biggest and most impactful outreaches, The Winter Boutique! This event is hosted annually by Hands4Hope during the Holiday Season to provide low income and foster families the opportunity to “shop” for warm winter clothing without having to pay for anything. The boutique is open to individuals in both El Dorado and Sacramento Counties, and typically supports about 200 individuals per year. Read on to learn more about this unique outreach opportunity from Megan Smith, an Oak Ridge Sophomore and regular Winter Boutique Committee member.

How many years have you been participating in the Winter Boutique?

This will be my third year participating in the Winter Boutique. Last year I helped to sort clothes, set up and decorate, as well as actually interact with the recipients on the boutique days.

How many people usually volunteer for the Winter Boutique Committee and Event?

The Winter Boutique is usually planned and organized by a select group of high schoolers and adults, around 10, but for the actual event more like 30 people overall will participate.

What do volunteers usually do in preparation for and at the event?

When contributing to the planning of the Winter Boutique, the main duties are to sort all of the clothes we receive from the Warm & Fuzzy Drive and other donations, and set up and decorate the boutique space. However, on the days the recipients come to the boutique, volunteers get to interact with the families and help them shop for what they are looking for as well as keep everything nice and tidy just like an actual store.

What is your favorite thing about the Winter Boutique Outreach?

From my experiences with the Winter Boutique, I would have to say my favorite thing would be getting to interact with the families and see how happy they are and how much it means to them to be receiving the things they need for the winter. Everyone that comes through is so friendly and grateful, and it is such a great opportunity to contribute to and be a part of something so special.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

For the Winter Boutique this year, I am really excited to decorate and set up the boutique. We have some really fun ideas for themes, and we have already received a lot of clothing, so we will get to decide on how to set it all up where it is functional and visually appealing at the same time.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

One thing I would like people to know about the Winter Boutique is that it is one of the most fun and rewarding experiences I have had with Hands4Hope over the years. Getting to plan and carry out the boutique and see how happy the recipients really are is so special, and knowing that their holiday season will be brighter because of something you contributed to is truly a gift.

Another Successful Year for Hands4Hope's A Night in the Vineyard

On October 7th, Hands4Hope hosted its 8th annual benefit dinner and auction, “A Night In The Vineyard,” proving to be a very successful event for the organization. The night boasted an array of local wineries and breweries, robust silent and live auctions, a variety of delicious food and desserts, emcee Eileen Javora of KCRA TV-3, live music performances, and a moving speech from recently graduated Hands4Hope youth volunteer, Joseph Goulart.

Contributions made this night will have an immediate, direct impact on Hands4Hope and its youth participants. The funds raised will go towards supporting current youth development programs, including school-based service learning club and leadership programs, and will also allow for program capacity growth, so that more youth can be included in the organization’s diverse set of programs. Hands4Hope has a waiting list of six schools who would like to implement the Service-Learning Club Program on their campuses. The organization also has waiting lists of students wanting to participate in the program on current campuses, but there are currently not enough resources to accommodate more youth.

The funds raised at the benefit dinner means so much to Hands4Hope in terms of strengthening its mission and vision for the coming year. With the support Hands4Hope received at the event, more youth will have the opportunity to connect with their communities in meaningful ways; find their voice; and build confidence, compassion, and leadership skills. They will get to explore social issues and areas of need; create, develop, and implement projects that support their chosen causes; act on their values and beliefs; all while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

To all who joined Hands4Hope for and contributed to "A Night In The Vineyard", the annual benefit dinner and auction, the organization extends its deepest thanks!

Introducing the Newest Member to the Hands4Hope Staff, Kathy Van Saun!

Hands4Hope is excited to introduce its newest staff member, Kathy Van Saun, our new Youth Development Program Assistant! Maddy Gorrell, the previous Youth Development Program Assistant, will be acting as Hands4Hope’s new Communications Coordinator, and, as a result, Kathy will be taking over the “arm” of Youth Development related to middle school clubs and leadership.

Read on to learn more about how she came to be involved with Hands4Hope and her goals for her work with the organization.

Where are you from originally?                           

I grew up in Tehachapi, California and then went to Cal Poly, SLO to earn a degree in Journalism.  I’ve lived in Folsom for over 20 years with my husband and three children.

What were you involved with before starting with Hands4Hope?

Before coming to Hands4Hope, I was working for 4 years in Special Education in both elementary and middle schools.

What do you like to do in your free time?

When not working, I most enjoy spending time with my family skiing, traveling and going to variety of school, sports and church activities. I also love going for coffee, hanging out at bookstores and walking my dog at the lake.

What goals do you have for your work with Hands4Hope?

My goal at Hands4Hope is to continue providing an encouraging, safe and engaging environment for students to grow in confidence in their strengths and to explore how they can passionately make a difference in their community and world.

What are you most looking forward to in working with Hands4Hope?

I love how Hands4Hope was started right here in our local community and that students get to see how their leadership skills and hard work tangibly help others.