Sponsor Spotlight: Chris and Cindy Nicholson

Chris and Cindy Nicholson each moved with their families to El Dorado Hills when they were teenagers, and met each other at Oak Ridge High School, where they went to Senior Prom together! After attending college in Los Angeles and working and raising two children in the Bay Area, they decided, after 30 years, to move back home to El Dorado Hills in 2020. They said, "We loved this community in the 80s, and we love it even more now."

Once they got here, they immediately became deeply involved in the community in new ways, now as parents and community leaders themselves. They discovered Hands4Hope, and have been among our Visionary Sponsors ever since.

Chris and Cindy relayed their "why" for their long-time support of Hands4Hope: "Since this is our forever home, we want to give back and invest in future generations."

Jennifer Bassett, Founder & Executive Director of Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference writes, "We are incredibly grateful for the Nicholson Family’s long-time and continued generosity. Their desire to give back to the community they call home directly fuels opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and see firsthand how powerful it is to serve others. Their support truly helps create the win-win impact they value so deeply."

We deeply appreciate your long-time support of Hands4Hope. What inspired your family to first get involved with Hands4Hope?

Just reading and learning more about the great work you were doing. We also had an opportunity to speak with Jen and hear about Hand4Hope’s history and ambitions and we were inspired to get more involved.

What about the mission of Hands4Hope feels most aligned with your family?

We always tell people that Hands4Hope is the ultimate win-win-win formula. Students learn leadership and community engagement, local residents and partner organizations get help and resources, and volunteers and donors get a rewarding opportunity to keep the virtuous cycle going and growing.

What is one special moment or memory you have with Hands4Hope?

Our most rewarding moments have been hearing youth leaders and alums share their stories of the impact that Hands4Hope had on them and how the experience has inspired them to continue their community involvement into adulthood.

What do you hope young people gain from being involved with Hands4Hope?

Exposure to a full cross section of our diverse community and discovering how rewarding it is to give back. Also a chance to build real-world leadership skills in projects with meaningful impacts.

Chris Nicholson with a prize at the annual Hands4Hope Endless Summer Beach Party fundraiser