8th Annual Benefit Dinner: A Night in the Vineyard
EAT: delicious appetizers and dinner catered by Diane Wilkinson Catering.
SIP: Wine sampling provided by: Cielo Estate, Everhart Cellars, Fenton Herriott Vineyards, Gwinllan Estates, E16 Wine Company, Sierra Vista Vineyards and Winery, Findleton Estate Winery, and Wofford Acres Vineyards, Perry Creek Winery
BID: Fabulous Silent and Live Auction items. Event emcee KCRA Eileen Javora
We anticipate this event to sell out. Early bird pricing ends 9/22. Don't miss out on this festive evening!
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Thank You to the Folsom Lake Earthquakes Soccer Club
For Collecting 218 Water Bottles for the School Supply Drive!
School Supply Drive
Hands4Hope hosted their 4th Annual School Supply Drive to benefit children in need in El Dorado and Sacramento Counties with essential school supplies for the 2017-2018 school year. The drive collected 4,425 school supplies that helped 200 El Dorado County students, grades Kindergarten through 12th.
Hands4Hope youth leaders and volunteers worked with local businesses, agencies and community members to collect items that included backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens, water bottles and other school supply items. The drive was led by Taylor Smith, H4H School Supply Drive Youth Committee Chair and Oak Ridge Sophomore, who was mentored by Kelly McMillen, a recent Oak Ridge graduate and the former Committee Chair for this event.
“It was an unbelievably eye-opening experience to see how the things that seem so simple to some people can make a world of a difference for others,” Smith explained. “I had a great time working behind the scenes on this project, but it really hit me when I got to personally interact with the students. There was one girl who was going into sixth grade -we walked around the whole room determined to find the perfect backpack. Finally we came across a navy blue Jansport backpack. I saw her whole face light up with joy and she swooped that backpack right up, completely unable to hold back her smile. I realized that this backpack may seem like nothing much to many people, but for this sweet girl, it was everything in that moment. It is experiences like this that show me not only just how fortunate I am, but also how big of an impact I can have on someone else's life, and I am so thankful for that,” concluded Smith.
Thank you to the community members who participated in this drive for bringing joy and confidence to local students this year! Hands4Hope would also like to thank the following local partner businesses and agencies who collaborated on the School Supply Drive: Mercedes Benz of El Dorado Hills, Rolling Hills Community Church, Lake Hills Covenant Church, Barber Jon’s, Simm’s Chiropractic, and the Folsom Lake Earthquakes Soccer Club.
For more information about the School Supply Drive and/or Hands4Hope, visit www.hands4hopeyouth.org or call the Hands4Hope Youth Center at 916-294-7426.
Adult Spotlight - Patty Conroy
Hands4Hope has chosen Patty Conroy for this month’s Adult Lead Spotlight! Patty regularly volunteers her time to bake and provide all kinds of food donations for Hands4Hope’s outreach events, and Hands4Hope is extremely grateful for her participation and contributions. Read on to learn more about how Patty got involved with Hands4Hope and her experiences since joining.
How long have you been participating with Hands4Hope?
I joined the H4H team in Jan '17 by contributing to the food drives for the homeless lunches and Mercy Senior Dinners.
Why did you join Hands4Hope as an adult contributor?
The H4H office is right in my neighborhood and I had been wanting to contribute something to the community and this location proved to be perfect for me. I am able to deliver freshly baked and/or purchased food items in a timely manner.
What outreaches do you usually volunteer with? Which do you enjoy the most?
I am always on the lookout for local fundraisers that are in need of baked goods for their events. I am a retired pastry chef and I have enjoyed baking cakes, cupcakes, scones and cookies for our churches and schools also. It provides an opportunity for me to keep my baking skills sharp and give back to the community.
What is your impression/experience with Hands4Hope youth?
The H4H Youth who I have encountered so far have been very mature, organized and appreciative. I am so impressed with the time they spend giving back to our community in such a selfless way.
Overall, what has your experience been like since joining?
I am very pleased to have found an organization that I can give hands-on help to and meet face-to-face with members of the organization. It gives me great pleasure to be able to help these hard-working youth in meeting their goals.
Outreach Highlights - Beary Special Playdate & Explorability
For several months, Hands4Hope has offered a new outreach opportunity that is both a unique and rewarding opportunity for anyone interested in working with youth. Beary Special Playdate is a monthly event hosted at Sacramento Children’s Museum that allows young children with Autism to come together, interact, participate in games and activities, and spend time with their caretakers in a fun and safe environment.
Hands4Hope was invited to participate in this outreach so that the attending children would be able to experience peer-to-peer mentorship. This is also a great opportunity for the Hands4Hope volunteers to better understand Autism through interacting and observing the attendees’ experiences and perspectives, while gaining skills on working with children who have special needs as well as mentorship.
Beary Special Playdate is hosted the second Wednesday of every month from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Sacramento Children’s Museum in Rancho Cordova, just 15 minutes from the H4H Youth Center. The museum is closed to the public at this time to allow plenty of hands-on experience at all exhibits. Volunteers help lead and reset activities for youth and spend time with the children during the different activities available.
This outreach event is open to high-school-aged Hands4Hope participants, and is a great chance to hone skills in mentoring, youth development, and interacting with children ages two to eight. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.hands4hopeyouth.org/beary-special-playdate.html, or contact Yoko Kono at yoko@hands4hopeyouth.org.
**Scheduling conflict, busy Wednesday nights, or other commitments during the week? Hands4Hope also offers Explorability at the Children’s Museum in Rancho Cordova on the first and third Sundays of each month from 10:00am to 12:00pm. This event is very similar to Beary Special Playdates in which children with special needs engage with the exhibits with their family and friends. Volunteers will help lead various stations, help set and reset exhibits, and interact with the children. For more information, visit http://www.hands4hopeyouth.org/explorability.html or contact Yoko Kono.**
New School Year - Keep an Eye Out for Club Information!
With the start of the new school year, the Hands4Hope youth leaders are gearing up to kick off both their school club and afterschool programs in September! The middle school youth leaders are papering their campuses with flyers and posters, while the high school leaders are handing out applications and building an extensive email list of students wanting to get involved with outreach through Service Learning. Boothing opportunities, club days, information meetings, Instagram posts, and Executive Youth Board meetings are at the forefront of both the youth leaders’ and Youth Development Team’s minds. Hands4Hope is very excited to see where the what the leaders will do this year with their clubs and committees!
Looking to get involved in all of the club excitement at your school or collaborate with others on an after-school committee? Check out the list below to learn more about the different Hands4Hope school clubs and committees that are open this school year:
Middle School Hands4Hope Clubs
Camerado Springs
Herbert Green (5/6 & 7/8 Grade Clubs)
Marina Village
Rolling Hills
Sutter
High School Hands4Hope Clubs
Folsom
Independence
Oak Ridge
Ponderosa
Union Mine
Hands4Hope After-School Committees
Kids’ Oasis
Homeless Outreach
Project Birthday
Fall Festival
Winter Boutique
Have any questions? Feel free to contact Youth Development Program Coordinator, Nicole Craine, for more information on the School Club Program (nicole@hands4hopeyouth.org), or Outreach Coordinator, Yoko Kono, for the After-School Committees (yoko@hands4hopeyouth.org). You can also visit the Hands4Hope website for meeting dates and full club/committee descriptions.
Outreach and Service Learning Opportunities
Please note:
To register for an event, you must activate your annual registration, if you haven't already. If you need to pay, click here.
Beary Special Playdate at
Sacramento Children's Museum
Just 15 Minutes from EDH
Wednesday, September 13th
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
NEW! The museum is closed to the public and only open to children with autism and their caretaker. This event occurs on the 2nd Wednesdays of every month from 5-7pm. Looking for 4 high school volunteers to reset exhibits, assist at different stations/exhibits and interact with children and their families.
**High School Students Welcome**
Explorability at Sacramento
Children's Museum
Just 15 Minutes from EDH!
Sunday, September 3rd & 17th
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
NEW! This is a program for children with special needs and their family and friends. This event occurs on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 10-11am. Volunteers will help lead various stations, help set and reset exhibits, and interact with the children and their caretakers.
**High School Students Welcome**
Kidszone at White Rock Village
Every Friday, September 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29th
3:30 p.m. - 5: p.m.
Come join the young residents of White Rock Village playing ping pong, video games, board games, foosball, as well as various outdoor play. Volunteers will assist with supervision, encourage teamwork and cooperation, gain leadership and communication skills, and have fun!
**8th Grade and Older Welcome**
EDH Senior Center Crafts & Games
Monday, September 11th
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Volunteers will spend time socializing, helping with arts and craft activities, and playing games with seniors with various levels of dementia, at Ramona "Moni" Gilmore Senior Center in El Dorado Hills.
**All Ages Welcome**
FOOD DONATIONS for
Mercy Senior Dinner
Food Drop Off - Monday, September 18
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Donate food items to feed low income seniors at Mercy Creekview Housing.
You will receive volunteer credit for your items.
**All Ages Welcome**
Mercy Creekview Manor Senior Dinner
Wednesday, September 20th
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Come prepare and serve dinner for seniors. The volunteers will also help with crafts before dinner.
**All Ages Welcome**
GVCC Saturday Cafe
Saturday, September 9th & 23rd
8:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hands4Hope volunteers work the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month helping distribute food and run carts.
**All Ages Welcome**
GVCC Kids Oasis
Saturday, September 9th & 23rd
8:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hands4Hope volunteers work the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, reading books, playing games and doing craft projects with the young children in the Kids’ Oasis. The Kids' Oasis provides a safe and fun place for the children to wait while their families shop for free groceries and clothing at the Saturday Cafe.
**Middle School and Up Welcome**
*Please note: Elementary aged participants must be accompanied by a registered parent or guardian at all Hands4Hope outreach events.