Hands4Hope collects over 2,700 pounds of food to help those in need

On Sunday, September 18, Hands4Hope held their annual Fall Food Blitz For The hungry to collect food and monetary donations from community members. The goal of this event was to support the continued efforts of local food banks and programs supporting the hungry, including the El Dorado County Food Bank and Twin Lakes Food Bank (Folsom).

The Food Blitz was a one-day drive, based at Safeway Placerville and Grocery Outlet Folsom, where Hands4Hope youth and adult volunteers handed out flyers on current community needs and collected donations from store patrons. The result was over 2,700 pounds of food and $1,183.99 in contributions that were later delivered to the benefiting food banks.

Yoko Kono, the Hands4Hope Outreach Coordinator, along with Hands4Hope youth volunteers, were touched by all of the community support the event received, but especially by one donor in particular.  “The best part of the event,” Kono explained, “was when a man who appeared homeless came up and donated $1, describing that he wanted to help.  He then quietly resumed what he had been doing before: sifting through the trash for cans.  It was such an amazing gesture to witness, and a great learning experience for the youth volunteers. The value of the $1 that the man gave was truly priceless!”

Hands4Hope would like to thank all of those who donated to the Food Blitz, as well as the participating grocery stores, Safeway Placerville and Grocery Outlet Folsom. The day would not have been a success without the overwhelming community support that Hands4Hope received.

Warm and Fuzzy Drive 2015

Thank you to the four El Dorado Hills elementary schools involved in our school drive, William Brooks, Silva Valley, Lakeview and Oak Meadow.  The school drive ends on October 23rd, however we will take contributions through the month of November at our youth center located at 877 Embarcadero Drive, El Dorado Hills.  Cub Scout pack 465 is also involved, if there are other groups that would like to contribute, we would love their help! Please contact Laura Buehler at laura@hands4hopeyouth.org.

All of the donations will be used in the winter boutique which will be open for families in need in early December.  If H4H participants want to get involved with the planning of the winter boutique, please email laura@hands4hopeyouth.org.

Hands4Hope’s 2nd Annual School Supply Drive serves 394 students with essential school supplies for this year.

Youth Participants getting bags ready to go hand out fliers door to door in El Dorado Hills based neighborhoods.

Hands4Hope hosted their 2nd Annual School Supply Drive to benefit children in need in El Dorado and Sacramento Counties with essential school supplies for the 2015-2016 school year.  The drive collected 2298 school supplies that helped 394 El Dorado County students, grades Kindergarten through 12th.  This is 100 more local students served than last year.

Hands4Hope youth leaders & volunteers worked with local businesses, agencies and community members to collect items such as: backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens, scissors and other school supply items.

The 2nd Annual School Supply Drive was led by Kelly McMillen, H4H School Supply Drive youth intern and Oak Ridge Senior, who was mentored by Nicole Craine, H4H Youth Development Coordinator.

Youth participants and Adult mentor at our Table Event at the Office Max in Placerville.

“All of the students were incredibly thrilled to be getting new backpacks and supplies. It was an awesome experience to see how excited kids were about the small supplies like a brand new pencil or binder. It made me realize how lucky I am to have school supplies that are easily accessible,” McMillen explained. “ At the end, right before we packed up, a second grade girl came in. She picked out a new blue backpack, gave me a giant smile, and proceeded to do that for every single thing she got. That experience was extremely humbling and gratifying for all the work put into the collection and distribution. She and all the other kids were so grateful for even the simplest pencil topper,” continued McMillen.

Youth Participant assisting an elementary school student pick out her school supplies.

Thank you to the community members who participated in this drive for bringing joy and confidence to local students this year.  Thank you also to the following local businesses and agencies: El Dorado Hills Library, Cameron Park Library, re: Visions, Placerville Library, El Dorado Hills CSD, California Welcome Center, Hangtown Skate Shop, Blue Shield of California, El Dorado Disposal, DST, Gift of Kids, USA Stars Soccer Academy and Ethos Soccer Club.

2014 Blanket Making Party: 102 Blankets warm blankets made for those in need in our community.

Last Friday, we hosted our annual Blanket Making Party at Oak Ridge High School, where youth and adult volunteers alike made "no-sew" fleece blankets.  These blankets are distributed to the homeless, during the cold winter months, through our homeless outreaches and given to our partner agencies who help the homeless. 

A total of 102 blankets were made in this one night! 

We also had a local soccer team make an additional 20 more to contribute to the cause!

Thank you all who attended and assisted!

Hands4Hope Youth Board Welcomes New Board President

Last May Hands4Hope Youth Leader Haley Latola, Senior at Oak Ridge High, was named the Hands4Hope Youth Board President for the 2014-2015 year. Haley gladly accepted and has been hard at work with Hands4Hope staff and peer Youth Leaders to kick off the 2014-2015 Hands4Hope Club Year. Haley's family has recently been given the opportunity to move to Sicily Italy.  Haley will be leaving her position as Youth Board President in October to seize the opportunity and prospect of adventure in Italy!  We are so grateful for Haley’s dedication to Hands4Hope, as well as her countless hours of service to the community! It is with a heavy heart that we say arrivederci to Haley.

We are excited to announce that there is a member of our current Hands4Hope Leadership Team who is ready and willing to step into the role of Youth Board President, and work in tandem with Haley until her departure next month. Hands4Hope is thrilled to announce Chieme Ohanele, a Senior at Oak Ridge High, as the new 2014-2015 Hands4Hope Youth Board President. 

Along with Chieme’s appointment to Youth Board President, the other three Youth Board positions have been appointed as follows: Youth Board Vice President -Noopur Khachane (Senior at Mira Loma High); Youth Board Secretary-Danielle DiOrio (Senior at Ponderosa High); Youth Board Treasure-Jasmine Lyon (Junior at Folsom High). 

We are confident that the new Hands4Hope Youth Board Leadership Team will work together to successfully lead the Youth Board and provide outstanding peer leadership, as well as invaluable contributions from a youth perspective to the Hands4Hope organization as a whole.

Team Hope will be back in session on Wednesday September 17th.

Team Hope is the Hands4Hope afterschool program for the students in elementary school.  Team Hope meets once per month to discuss upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.  The meetings are fun and allow for members to explore ways to give back to the community, plan group outreach projects and volunteer in the community.

Team Hope's first informational meeting will be held on Wednesday September 17, 2014 from 3:30pm - 4:30pm at the Hands4Hope Youth Center, located at 877 Embaradero Dr., El Dorado Hills (next to the El Dorado Saloon).

For more information about Hands4Hope, visit www.hands4hopeyouth.org or call 916-294-7426.

For information about Team Dream and Team Inspire, our school club programs for middle school students and high school students, visit www.hands4hopeyouth.org, click on Get Involved, School Clubs.