October Volunteer Spotlight: Grant Thompson

Grant Thompson feels that with all of the problems and needs in the world, he should be part of the solution and help make the world a better place. 

Grant started with his own community, which he felt needed a lot of helping hands.  When he saw a poster hanging up at his school with information about Hands4Hope, he decided to attend one of the meetings held at Marina Middle School in El Dorado Hills.

When Grant began volunteering with Hands4Hope he was a 6^th grader at Marina Middle School.  Today he is in 8^th grade, and still enjoying all of his fundraising activities.

His favorite Hands4Hope volunteer activity so far is the sock drive held at his school.  Grant just loved going around to his peers collecting socks, and he loved to see the success of his fundraising efforts. 

Grant also helped plan a successful hot chocolate fundraiser that benefitted the Heifer project, a charity that helps poverty-stricken communities in Africa by providing them animals for everyday use.

What is Grant passionate about in life?  “I am very passionate about working hard, keeping promises, and trying my best.”

When he is not volunteering for Hands4Hope, Grant enjoys swimming. He has been on the swim team for four years now, and loving it.

Thank you Grant for all that you do for Hands4Hope!

September Volunteer Spotlight: Erica Lautrup

 Erica Lautrup had no idea that she would become so involved and committed to Hands4Hope when she first watched Jennifer Bassettt give a presentation at Folsom High School in October 2012. Now Erica is President of the brand new Hands4Hope Club at Folsom High School. 

Erica's very first outreach was volunteering at the Haunted House.  "I loved it because I saw how happy it made people, and who doesn't like seeing people happy, right?" said Erica. 

The next outreach that really got Erica hooked on H4H was the homeless outreach. "I live a privileged life so it was a real eye opening experience to volunteer at a homeless outreach. My favorite part of homeless outreaches, and what inspires me to keep helping others, is seeing how every single person lights up when they are handed something most of us take for granted," said Erica.

As a senior at Folsom High School, Erica currently volunteers for Hope House every other week.  Mentoring the kids at Hope House is her favorite outreach.  "Those kids are a huge blessing in my life," said Erica.

Erica is passionate about helping people and making a difference in the world. 

When she isn't at school or volunteering with H4H, Erica enjoys playing the piano and spending time with friends and family

Gearing up for a Homeless Outreach in Sacramento

At the Youth Leadership Retreat in August 2013

With fellow Hands4Hope Club Leaders at the High School Leadership Strengths Workshop

August Volunteer Spotlight: Gen Walk

Our August Volunteer Spotlight can be seen volunteering in every avenue of Hands4Hope, from the daycare center at Hope House to the Placerville Homeless Outreach. 

Gen Walk began volunteering for H4H at the Spring Food Blitz in 2012.  “Once I was shown what H4H was all about I was hooked and have been very involved ever since,” said Gen. 

Gen has worked the Food Blitzes, Adult Lead at Oak Ridge High School, Sister Nora’s Place, Hope House, fundraising dinners and projects, the Youth Board Leadership weekend, the Haunted House fundraiser, Town Center Jubilee and a member of the PAC. 

“I enjoy watching a positive example being set for the youth and their response to wanting to make a difference is the motivation to continue participating at H4H,” said Gen.

When Gen isn’t volunteering at H4H, she is passionate about spending time with her family, hiking and reading. 

August Sponsor Spotlight: Well Fargo

  

Well Fargo has a long and proud history in California. From its earliest days, it has been a place where community involvement mattered, and where employees gave generously. Today, these cherished traditions remain important to each of us.

We believe the best way to lend a helping hand to communities across our state and make a lasting impact on individual lives is by directing our gifts to nonprofit organizations that address specific community needs and issues. Like Hands4Hope who offers a variety of opportunities to our youth that supports communities through volunteering and leadership.

Wells Fargo and Hands4Hope have created an effective partnership between a corporation and a community organization, helping to build a safe and caring community for our children. Encouraging and supporting organizations that share our similar vision of coming through for our communities is a core value of Wells Fargo.

Over the past few years Wells Fargo has supported Hands4Hope with grants and volunteerism. These contributions will help them offer a world of possibilities to youth in the community and work towards the advancement of children.

Partnering with our communities is what we do best.  By working together and inspiring others to do the same, we can make a difference. 

We are very grateful for the support from Wells Fargo as a Platinum Sponsor!

Sponsor Spotlight for July: Fergerson Financial

Fergerson Financial, an independent registered investment advisor, provides personalized investment, retirement, and financial services and advice. Rick Fergerson, the Founder and CEO, started Fergerson Financial to make a difference in a client's life by using the highest standard available, a fiduciary standard. This responsibility is to provide services based on always looking out for the client's best interests. It is a duty of care and a duty of loyalty.

When Rick Fergerson spoke with Jennifer Bassett, Executive Director of Hand4Hope, in April of this year, he was exited and honored to join as a Platinum sponsor. 

"I grew up in Del Paso Heights in Sacramento and understand the importance of giving back to the community. To make a difference and provide opportunities for our youth is important in not only our community but other communities too. Jennifer has founded an organization that is fulfilling this mission and I am looking forward to helping Hand4Hope meet their goals in the coming year," said Fergerson.

We are very grateful for the support from Fergerson Financial as a Platinum Sponsor!

July Volunteer Spotlight: Ethan Gomez

Ethan Gomez has been an instrumental part of the Hands4Hope community for the last two years. As it turns out, H4H has played an important role in his life as well.

"I went through a dark period of my life where I felt I didn't have a purpose. H4H made me feel like I am doing something to support and benefit the community and the world as a whole," said Ethan.

Ethan became involved in Hands4Hope in 7th grade.  Since then, he has worked on many projects including hot chocolate sales at his school club, the sock drive for the needy, the dress drive for Glass Slipper Foundation, and visiting seniors at a senior center.  

 

Ethan's favorite volunteer moment was when he managed the H4H booth at the Club L.I.V.E carnival at Marina Village Middle School.  "We did a wild hair spray booth and it was a lot of fun!" said Ethan.

When not at school or a H4H event, you will find Ethan in the kitchen cooking some delicious homemade food.  He also is an avid reader and gardener. 

"I am planning to apply to the Culinary Institute of America (a.k.a the C.I.A.) in Napa and take courses for a culinary major and a business minor. I want to get an associates degree in culinary arts at Napa then transfer to the New York campus to get my bachelor's degree in culinary arts and a business related degree," said Ethan.

Ethan's future is looking very bright. . . and delicious.  

June Sponsor Spotlight: Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health plan with three million members, 5,000 employees, and $10.5 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California provides health, life, dental, vision, and Medicare insurance and health care service plans in California. Blue Shield of California was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies in 2012 and 2013. Since 2005, the company has contributed more than $200 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation, one of BusinessWeek's most generous corporate foundations.

Blue Shield first became involved with Hands4Hope three years ago as a sponsor of the Hands4Hope Haunted House. In 2012, Charles Sharp, a Blue Shield Director of Finance, joined the board of directors and in February 2013, our employees held a dress drive and collected over 200 dresses for Hands4Hope to support teenage girls with prom dresses and adult women with dresses for work or interviews.

"I was introduced to Hands4Hope by T. Abraham and Jen Bassett (founder) in 2011. I was drawn to the organization by their mission to "grow the next generation of socially responsible citizens by engaging youth in community outreach" Hands4Hope is all about youth making a difference in the community," said Charles Sharp.

We are very grateful for the support from Blue Shield of California as a Platinum Sponsor!