Youth Volunteer Spotlight: Julia

Julia, a sophomore at Ponderosa High School, was introduced by one of her good friends to Hands4Hope a few years ago. She volunteered a couple of times at our Food Blitz for the Hungry before jumping in head first last year and helping to plan a Fashion Show Fundraiser with a few of her friends.

Their Fashion Show was wildly successful, raising more than $2,000 for The Glass Slipper, a local program to help build self-esteem in young women. "There were a lot of challenges planning this," said Julia. "Learning to work together and be responsible was hard. But, we learned a lot about leadership and for me, I learned how to talk to people, especially businesses and adults, and I am definitely more comfortable doing that now."

Last year, Julia and her friends were approached to take on leading the Ponderosa High School Hands4Hope Club. They accepted and joined the Youth Board and went to the leadership retreat to kick off the year. "It was a lot of fun. I especially have enjoyed getting to know everyone from the different schools. I have made friends that I wouldn't have known otherwise."

The Ponderosa H4H Club has two main focuses for the year. In November, all 17 members worked together to plan a Homeless Outreach in Placerville. They got the food donated and caravanned to the outreach together. "It was really cool how everyone was willing to meet up on a Saturday in the pouring rain," she said. "It was a great opportunity to spend time together and for us all to see what Hands4Hope is all about."

Coming up on May 8th, the club is hosting Family Fiesta Night at the United Methodist Baptist Church in Cameron Park. Their goal is to raise $1,000 for New Morning Shelter Youth & Family Services in Placerville.

Julia enjoys doing several of the Outreaches Hands4Hope offers. She said each one of them are fun for different reasons, but she really enjoys the direct interaction she gets to have with those she is serving at the events like the Homeless Outreach and Green Valley Community Church Saturday and Kid's Cafe.

"I have gained a lot out of Hands4Hope," she said. "Most importantly, I have learned that I like being in leadership. I never knew that about myself before and I had no experience with it. I have learned how to take a project, break it down and make it happen."

When asked why she enjoys getting others involved with Hands4Hope, she said it's all about spreading the compassion. "I want people to realize what others in our community go through. Before I got involved with Hands4Hope, I did not understand. Most importantly, when you're involved (with Hands4Hope) you can actually make a difference in people's lives!"

Julia, thank you for your dedication to Hands4Hope, we are so lucky to have you!

 Mid-Year Youth Board Retreat, 2013

Fashion Show Fundraiser

Volunteer Spotlight: Aubrey

Aubrey has been involved in Hands4Hope almost since it began and has very early memories doing drives at her school and helping at Green Valley Community Church. Now a middle schooler at Rolling Hills, she is the Vice President of the Hands4Hope Club.

The Club already has a list of successes for this year. They raised almost $800 at a bake sale for the Heifer Project and sold bracelets at their school to fund raise for the Honor Our Troops Committee. Aubrey said the hardest part for her has been talking in front of her peers at the meetings. "I sometimes get really nervous, but I have gotten better since I have been doing it," she said. "I gain a little more confidence every time I have to do it."

Besides helping run the Club, Aubrey has been very involved in other Hands4Hope Outreaches for years with her family. "One of my favorite outreaches is the Green Valley Community Church Kid's Café," she said. "I love seeing others' smile and I get a good feeling inside."

She said one of her most memorable experiences happened while she was working at the Hands4Hope Winter Boutique in 2011. "A little girl, about 8 or 9, walked in with the biggest smile and my sister and I started helping her and putting things in the dressing room for her to try on," she explained. "She was so excited to have new things and it made me happy to know that we were helping her stay warm with new clothes."

Aubrey is involved in several other school activities and is very involved with sports as well. When asked why she chooses to stay dedicated to Hands4Hope, she said, "H4H is just so fun... everything about it. Helping people, the outreaches, and seeing others happy... it all makes me realize how lucky I am."

Aubrey, thank you so much for your dedication and time!  We are so lucky to have you in Hands4Hope!

Volunteer Spotlight: Ryan

 

 Ryan is an 8th grader at Marina Village Middle School. He got involved with Hands4Hope as it was kicking off in 2008 after hearing about it from friends.

"Since I joined, I have found a new part of me that is driven by healing others," he said. "I have a new-found compassion for helping those who are less fortunate and I really love seeing their grateful faces."

Ryan has also helped start and lead the Hands4Hope Club at Marina. They are in their second year and the club has been very successful. Just this year, they collected more than 1,600 pairs of socks and raised money at hot chocolate sales for the Heifer Project. He says the experience of the club has been rewarding and also challenging. "The hardest part is channeling 25 distracted teenage minds into one purpose and common goal," he said.

"I have been forced out of my comfort zone multiple times in Hands4Hope," he explained. "During my first outreaches, I had a fear and dislike of the homeless. These experiences opened by mind and heart to others."

While volunteering at the Winter Boutique, Ryan said he was touched by a 5 year old boy in need who visited looking for new clothing. "He was so excited to get new things and his happiness lit up the entire room," he said. "This showed me the effect of our good work!"

2012

This is from the beginning!

2011 Winter Boutique

Spotlight: Pam Maxwell, Hands4Hope Board President

I met Jennifer Bassett when she came in to the bank to open her accounts almost 4 years ago. I was the Manager at the time and went over to introduce myself and also to ask about what the nonprofit did for the Community. Jennifer told me about the toiletries drive they had just had, and talked about the Food Blitz they were going to be involved with. I was so impressed with Jennifer and her passion, I expressed that I would be interested in learning more and getting involved. I served as the Vice Chair for about 8 months and then was asked by Jennifer if I would be the Chair of Hands4Hope.

I have served in the banking industry for 21 years and it was my first job right out of College. I am originally from Napa and am married with 2 daughters, Elise, 5 and Emma almost 3. I work at U.S. Bank and am a Vice President and Community Affairs Manager. I have always had a passion for giving back and being a part of my Community.

I truly believe that Hands4Hope is inspiring youth to make a difference in their community, while also learning about working together as a team and leadership.

I remember my first Food Blitz, I took my daughter Elise with me. She was 3 at the time and wasn't exactly sure what we were doing, but knew that we were helping collect food. All she could say was "Hands4Hope", but when she did that I would follow behind with the message that we were collecting for those in need in our community. Now she is 5 and I know Hands4Hope has made an impact on her because she understands that not everyone has what we have, food, shelter and clothing.

This year at the blanket making event she said "Are we going to make blankets for people who have to sleep outside?" I said yes and she looked forward to the evening.

Hands4Hope has made a impact on me and my family and keeps me grounded. I appreciate Jennifer starting such a wonderful organization in El Dorado County.

H4H Winter Boutique warms bodies and hearts

This year is our 3rd annual Winter Boutique.

Our youth volunteers have worked hard through their Warm & Fuzzy drives to collect warm clothing and accessories to distribute to families in need this winter.

Our Winter Boutique was open for two days for the first time this year.  It was a very special experience for our volunteers as well as for those benefitting from our Boutique.

Please see the responses from our volunteers and from a man who was in need.

From someone benefitting from the Boutique:
"Thank you so much for putting together this wonderful clothing boutique, yesterday! It was so impressive to see how beautifully the racks and shelves were arranged; and to observe the tremendous help of the Hands for Hope volunteers. I'm also so thankful for the clothes, themselves. The timing of this event couldn't have been better; as many of my outfits and work pieces were showing signs of extensive wear and I didn't know how I was going to replace them, just yet. I hope you know that you really make a difference . . . and that you really matter.
With many, many thanks!"

_______________________________________________________________________

From two of our volunteers:

"There were many stories over the weekend - one family lost everything after her husband returned home from the Military. Her teenage daughter was too embarrassed to come but our teens helped her mom pick out some really cool stuff and she left very grateful. When we gave her the Payless gift card she cried. Another lady said we made her Christmas, she wasn't sure how she would be able to get anything at all and was thrilled with what she found at the boutique. And, many people just gave a heartfelt thanks when they left. I was so impressed with our amazing Hands 4 Hope volunteers. They truly made the shopping experience easier and enjoyable for our guests. They were so helpful finding sizes and giving suggestions. They were always polite, smiling and friendly. A huge thanks to all of them!"

"Mine was two middle school girls. One found a pair of boots she loved. She was beaming ear to ear. They were both so excited they were almost jumping. It made me rethink what to buy my boys, nieces and nephews for Christmas. It also made me clean my closet even more, lately I keep thinking clothes will go back in fashion :) and hang on to them. Now having seen who is on the other end it makes it more real to me than giving it to Salvation Army. These clothes will not be wasted."

Thank you to our supportive communities that donated for this event.

We hope you have a beautiful holiday season.

Our Winter Boutique will be open again January 4th and 5th.

Youth Volunteer Spotlight: Jamin

{Jamin climbing the rock wall at leadership camp}

Jamin joined Hands4Hope in 2010 while fulfilling volunteer obligations for school. Since getting involved, he is the founder of a Hands4Hope Club at Jesuit High School, where he is a junior.

When asked to describe his experience of being involved, he used the words “content” and “humbled”. “I am humbled because I have so much and yet could not see how fortunate I was until I started serving others,” he said. “I am content because there is so much joy derived from helping others.”

To help him with becoming the President and Founder of the Hands4Hope Jesuit Club, Jamin attended Leadership Retreat for 2 years with other H4H leaders. “It was a great way to further bond with the other youth leaders,” he said. “We shared ideas about what is working at different schools.”

Jamin also said joining H4H and becoming the leader he is has pushed him out of his comfort zone. “Before I joined H4H, I felt as if I was on the sidelines watching things happen,” he said. But now being a part of it, “I feel that we (the youth) are actually making a difference. Every time I volunteer for an activity, I am sure to meet different youth volunteers and as a teen, it makes me feel empowered that we are driving this,” he said.

Starting a club at Jesuit meant pushing Jamin beyond his limits. “It meant getting up in front of teen boys that knew nothing about me and sharing H4H’s vision,” he said. “Initially, it was hard as a sophomore to get up and starting talking to guys I didn’t know about joining the club. My mother encouraged me and it has gotten easier.” In just these two years, the club has grown to 19 members and it has become a recognized organization for members in their school to volunteer for. “It is rewarding to know that my hard work is paying off,” he said.

Thank you for all you do, Jamin!!

{helping register guests at the Youth Board Spaghetti Fundraiser}

{walking the tight rope at leadership camp}

Volunteer Spotlight: Alisa & Kristin

Kristin and Alisa have dedicated hundreds of hours since our first Haunted House kicked off in 2010. They are in charge of the inside design of the Haunted House, bringing the theme to life with decorations and props.  "We couldn't do it alone," said Alisa. "It's a team effort!" They are part of the Haunted House Creative & Build Team, a team of seven who combine their creativity and work to their strengths, making the Haunted House the huge success it has been each year.

When asked why they enjoy helping out, both ladies said that supporting the mission of H4H is very important to them. "Jennifer has created something really important in teaching and leading children to offer their time, talents, and treasures to those less fortunate. By empowering our kids with this attitude, they can truly make a difference in the lives of others," said Kristin. Alisa agreed and said she was "impressed by one person's idea becoming so many people's passion."

Both ladies are bursting at the seams with creativity. Alisa has always loved Halloween and says she enjoys making new things from scratch. Kristin grew up in a family surrounded by creativity and says her experience in interior design has been an asset and decorating is in her blood.

"I believe everyone is given a gift and my gift is a worker bee," said Alisa. "This is how I contribute to our community. It feels so good to see it all come together."

Kristin said she feels blessed to be a part of the organization and her favorite part of working on the Haunted House is working with her dear friend Alisa. It is obvious they have a lot of fun and we are so grateful for the time, efforts, and creativity they lend to Hands4Hope in bringing our Haunted House to life!