Volunteer Spotlight: Aden and Lauren

Aden and Lauren are only nine and seven years old, but they are already making big contributions to their community.  These two youth volunteers have been involved in Hands4Hope for nearly two years, helping in many of the community outreach programs.

When asked what kinds of volunteer work they do for Hands4Hope, Aden and Lauren explained that they feed the homeless, raise money for food shelters, make care packages for soldiers and make blankets for shelters and dog toys for homeless dogs. 

Aden and Lauren attend Jackson Elementary School in first and third grades, where they are involved in the Toiletries Drive.  “We collect soap, conditioner, sunscreen, diapers, toilet paper and toothbrushes to donate to those people who don’t have them but need them,” said Aden and Lauren. 

Lauren said that her favorite volunteer outreach with Hands4Hope is feeding the homeless and making cards for them, adding “but almost everything at Hands4Hope is really fun.” 

Aden likes meeting up with his friends at The Team Hope elementary school club to decide on a new volunteer project to do.  This year, Aden is very excited to be involved in raising money for the Heifer Project. 

Heifer Project is an organization that takes animals to villages in third world countries. Rather than bringing them food and clothing, the organization teaches them how to use these animals as a means to make money. The village people have to reproduce these animals and give them to someone in their village.

“The kids set a goal to raise $80 to buy rabbits and chicks,” explained Katie, Aden and Lauren’s mom.  “So far, Team Hope has exceeded their goal so the kids will meet to vote on what to buy with the additional money.  The choice is either more animals for Heifer Project, or cat food for the Fat Kitty City organization.”

When not volunteering for Hands4Hope, Aden enjoys reading books, playing soccer and baseball, and his favorite subject in school in math.  When he grows up, Aden would like to invent a flying car with monster engines on its side. 

Lauren said that soccer is her favorite activity, while demonstrating a very awesome looking soccer kick.  She also loves gymnastics, singing, dancing and shopping.  Shopping for what?  “Clothes! She loves clothes,” said her brother Aden.  When Lauren grows up, she would like to be a real estate agent and a grocery store checker. 

“I love that my children are involved with Hands4Hope because it has given them a different perspective on the world that parents struggle to get across just using words,” said their mom. “My kids now spend a lot more time doing things for others, and they now realize that not everyone is as fortunate as we are. They are also learning about setting goals and working as a group towards a greater good.”

Successful Food Blitz helps feed hungry families

Dear Jen & Hands4Hope,

The food drive last weekend was truly awesome for TLFB! We were out of or low on so many basic needs and the 2,125 pounds of food filled our shelves back up. We served 203 families this week & I don't know how we could have with out your generosity and care for others. You make a difference to many!

In Joy,

Tammy

Executive Director of the Twin Lakes Food Bank

Above is a thank you card we received from Tammy this week. We collected $7690 in cash and gift cards, as well as 3,078 pounds of food for the El Dorado County Food Bank and Twin Lakes Food Bank in Folsom at our Spring Food Blitz. 

More than one hundred Hands4Hope volunteers worked at various grocery stores from Folsom to Placerville, collecting gift cards, cash, and food donations to help feed the hungry. Volunteers handed out a wish list of items needed at local food banks, and generous shoppers added those items to their cart.

“Each time Hands4Hope puts on the Food Blitz, I am reminded what an amazingly generous community we have,” says Executive Director of Hands4Hope, Jennifer Bassett. “In a short six hours, on the day before Easter, 120 volunteers collected almost two tons of food and over $7,000. Thank you to the volunteers who gave of their time and to those in the community who generously supported this cause.”

Money and gift cards are split between the food banks, local agencies assisting to feed the hungry and Hands4Hope outreach programs. Hands4Hope would like to thank the many volunteers and generous donors who made the Food Blitz such a success.

Sponsor Spotlight: Seafloor Systems

"Seafloor Systems, Inc. was formed in Portland, OR in 1999 by veteran naval hydrographer John Tamplin to provide hydrographic survey equipment and consulting to survey companies in the Pacific Northwest. Specializing in geophysical survey equipment, we have built up the largest multibeam echosounder rental pool in the US. We now provide the full spectrum of equipment, software, personnel, training, and support.

We specialize in marine equipment rental and sales for a range of applications including multibeam echosounders, geophysical surveying; hydrographic surveying, tide and wave gauges; acoustic positioning and software. Our personnel are available to provide installation, operation and data processing assistance. Our personnel come from some of the top hydrographic training institutions in North America (University of New Brunswick, Cal State Monterey Bay, NOAA, and the University of Oregon). Combined, we have completed more than one million line-miles of multibeam survey.

Since the forming of Seafloor Systems, our company has been giving charitable funds to many different causes. Our philosophy is to maintain a strong relationship within our local community. We recognize the need for a youth driven, outreach organization like Hands4Hope. We have sponsored the Hands4Hope Premiere Dinner Costume Ball and are currently a Platinum Sponsor. In December 2012, we received a "Certificate of Appreciation" from Hands4Hope and we are truly honored. Our work with Hands4Hope will continue to be a standing commitment and a reflection of our involvement with the members of our community."

We are very grateful for the support from Seafloor Systems as a Platinum Sponsor!

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.