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FEBRUARY 2025

• Feb 8: Middle School Leaders Mid Year Retreat
• Mar 8: Empty Bowls Dinner
• Mar 15: Hands4Hope Youth Board Garage Sale Fundraiser
• May 1: Big Day of Giving

• Feb 8: GVCC Common Ground Breakfast & Essentials Distribution
• Feb 10: Twin Lakes Food Bank Food Distribution
• Feb 19: Mercy Creekview Manor Senior Dinner & Entertainment
• Feb 22: GVCC Common Ground Breakfast & Essentials Distribution
• Feb 22: Upper Room Dining Hall Dinner
• Feb 22: Big Brothers Big Sisters Crackin' Crab Event
• Feb 28: Sister Nora's Place Dinner

Ongoing:

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays: MAPS Peer Mentoring

Donations and Drop-Off Dates:

• Feb 18: Mercy Creekview dinner/dessert donations due

New opportunities may be added throughout the month, so be sure to check the calendar often!

This motivated 7th grader stands out in her involvement with Hands4Hope, having already tallied more than 160 service hours through involvement in 4 after-school Hands4Hope Committees, her school's Hands4Hope Club, and Community Engagement Events. Avery recently created a display to educate the public about the Hands4Hope Empty Bowls Dinner and the issue of hunger that will be shown at the Placerville Library in February. Learn about what makes Avery gravitate toward these activities, and look for a special connection that makes Avery's participation even more special.

The Hands4Hope Empty Bowls Committee is proud to present the Empty Bowls Dinner in Placerville on March 8, a chance to gather, enjoy a delicious bowl of soup in a handmade bowl, and raise funds to fight hunger in our local community and beyond. This family-friendly event features live music, vendor booths, and opportunities to purchase delicious desserts, along with local beer and wine. Tickets and sponsorships, which start at only $150, are available now.

"I'm so grateful Avery joined her Hands4Hope Club in her first year of middle school, even though she was new to the school and didn't know anyone. That courageous step changed both our lives," says Nissa Martin, a Hands4Hope Adult Lead & Mentor Volunteer who has tallied 85 service hours. She is currently mentoring the Empty Bowls Committee youth to help collect the hundreds of artist-made ceramic bowls that define that event, and says she loves the chance to meet new people who also love to serve the community. We are so grateful to have Nissa as a mentor to Hands4Hope youth participants! She has a lot of beautiful things to say about her "why"... have a read!

Applications are now open for youth in 7th-12th grades to join the Hands4Hope Ryan Christopher Hersh Memorial Scholarship Committee. This Committee is often cited as a "favorite" of Hands4Hope grads, as youth participants have the opportunity to create and distribute scholarships to young people who would like to attend a summer camp but need financial assistance to do so. Be part of this special experience to practice and gain skills in managing a scholarship program, including managing a budget, dispersing funds, making decisions, and understanding the struggles that some in our community face while meeting and working with new friends. Application deadline is Friday, February 14.

The 15th Annual Winter Boutique was a success, and remains a favorite committee and outreach for participating youth. The Committee had 10 participants led by 5 Hands4Hope Youth Leaders and 1 Adult Mentor. They served 334 people over the 5 days the Boutique was open in December. The Committee distributed the remaining items to 6 different partner agencies. The project took 570 volunteer hours from start to finish!

Thank you to El Dorado Hills Town Center for donating the Boutique space and to all of the volunteers that helped run the Boutique. A special thank you to Chris and Robyn Parker who helped distribute remaining items to other partner agencies.

Hands4Hope is so grateful to Serrano by Parker Development Company for their long-standing partnership! Their support is deepened in so many ways, from hosting the annual Endless Summer Beach Party Fundraiser to the involvement of representative and Hands4Hope Board of Directors Vice Chair Andrea Howard, shown in the above photo visiting the Stuff the Bus event at the School Supply Drive. Read on to learn more about Serrano and why they invest in Hands4Hope.

Do you know someone who should be the Hands4Hope Special Event Program Coordinator? This position oversees seasonal youth-led after-school committees who plan, manage, and produce large seasonal events, like Empty Bowls, School Supply Drive & Distribution, Kids Zone, and Winter Boutique. Help us spread the word to applicants who love mentoring middle and high school youth, and are skilled at planning large community events!

Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference

is a youth-driven non-profit charitable 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service. 

Our vision is to develop a community of civic-minded and socially responsible citizens for generations to come.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY!