Packing boxes to send to our soldiers

Today, we gathered together with members of the Honor our Troops Team and packaged all of the items and letters we collected for our troops over the last few weeks.  Thank you to our amazing community for being so generous.

In total, we collected more than 2,500 items, and hundreds of cards and decorated stars for the packages. We also gave a check for more than $350 to the team to pay for shipping the boxes and items for future drives.

We are so thankful for our brave troops!

4th of July Celebration at Town Center

The 4th of July Celebration at Town Center in El Dorado Hills was a big success for Hands4Hope!

We collected items & money and the community decorated stars and letters for soldiers.

{two of our youth organizers for the Soldier Care Package Drive}

It was a fun afternoon collecting!

This week, we will be gathering to package all of the items and send them off to our soldiers.

It was a successful drive and we couldn't have done it with out the support from our community!

Thank you!

Happy 4th of July!

Hands4Hope wishes you and your family a Happy Independence Day!

Today is about celebrating our freedom and the brave men and women who give us that freedom.

Our soldier care package drive continues through today, and we will still accept donations for the remainder of the week!

Donate!

Support our troops!

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