16th annual winter boutique warms hundreds

Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference
5 hours ago
3 min read

Youth-Led Warm and Fuzzy Drive Supported Hundreds of Neighbors in Need With a Unique No-Cost Winter Boutique

The 16th Annual Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference Winter Boutique brought warmth to local families in need through a community-wide donation effort. In October and November, 22 businesses and schools hosted drives to collect new winter essentials, individuals handcrafted blankets and hats, and volunteers sorted gently used clothing. In December, these donations became a festive pop-up boutique, providing a free shopping experience for more than 360 people across two weekends, and supporting hundreds more through partner agency distributions.

“I love seeing everyone’s faces when they are able to pick out clothes, and being able to make their holiday season just a little bit better!” said Emily Harrop, a senior at Vista del Lago High School who served as Winter Boutique Committee Marketing Co-Chair.

The Hands4Hope Winter Boutique Committee, consisting of 19 middle and high school youth with the support of adult mentor volunteers and a Hands4Hope staff advisor, began by working with local schools and businesses across the western slope to host collection bins. Generous shoppers, school leaders, organizations, neighborhoods, and church groups donated piles of cozy essentials. Individual cash donations, community partners including Julie’s Purse Project and AspireKids, and a generous sponsorship from the Sierra Pacific Foundation helped fill gaps in inventory. This community generosity filled the boutique with nearly 6,000 donated items that had an equivalent thrift store value of nearly $48,000.

“We are grateful to the communities, schools, and businesses who supported our collection efforts. We couldn’t have made the impact we did without you!” said Kate Barba, Hands4Hope Special Events Program Coordinator. “I am especially thankful to Faith Episcopal Church in Cameron Park. The congregation and administration generously donated the space, security, and comfort of their building and we are immensely grateful for the support.”

The Hands4Hope Winter Boutique Committee served over 178 hours to plan, raise awareness, coordinate collections, set up the boutique, and lead this project. It took the contributions of 54 additional youth and adult volunteers to execute the effort, sorting and transporting clothes, organizing and decorating the room, and assisting guests with their selections. Altogether, the Winter Boutique after-school committee and outreach volunteers totaled 76 people and 575 service hours.

“Helping people genuinely makes me so happy and brings so much fulfillment into my life,” said Alexa Schaudel, a junior at Oak Ridge High School who served as Winter Boutique Committee Clothing Logistics Chair.

Most of the guests served at Winter Boutique came to receive a referral through partner invitations from First 5 El Dorado, the Placerville Union School District, and the El Dorado Office of Education. Additional referrals came through Folsom’s Hope, Wayfinder Family Services, Catalyst Community, The Boys and Girls Club, and El Dorado Community Health Centers.

When the 21 shopping sessions at Winter Boutique came to an end, the remaining items were distributed to Victory Outreach of Rancho Cordova, AspireKids, and Green Valley Community Church, bringing the total individuals served through the effort to well over 750.