Cross Country bicyclists hit the showers at HOH

About twenty-five young adults riding bicycles from Providence, Rhode Island to San Francisco declared Hands of Hope’s showers the best they had found in 4,115 miles of pedaling.  The group crossed the US, stopping along the way to help build houses with Habitat for Humanity in nine different states.

Staying at churches along the way, they rolled into Yuba City after ten weeks on the road, sleeping at Cooper Avenue Baptist Church and showering and doing laundry at Hands of Hope.  Members of the group are shown heading out for a trip through the Napa Valley and on to San Francisco before heading home (via airplanes—they donate their bikes to charity at the end of the ride!)

 

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS ADOPT HANDS OF HOPE

Having chosen Hands of Hope as the beneficiary of their annual service project, the officers of the Sutter Union High School chapter of Future Business Leaders recently toured our service center. The group brought along 250 “hoodies” collected in a school-wide drive, which will be distributed through the Hands of Hope clothing closet.

The student leadership group was so enthusiastic about our programs that they decided to hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and use the proceeds to help develop a “teen room” at the Hands of Hope. We offer our thanks, and look forward to an ongoing relationship with these young activists from our community.

 

Girls Club Peacemaking Project buys new clothes for homeless kids

From left to right, Soroptimist advisor Pam Clifton,, Jaspreet Cheema, Taylor Scott, and Amanjit Lasher of the "S" Club, and Barbara Paterson of the St. Andrew Mission Team.

Members of the River Valley High School “S” Club (a girls’ service club sponsored by Soroptimists International) recently applied for a Youth Peacemaking Project grant through St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, and bargain-shopped the $230 grant into a huge pile of underwear, socks, and girls’ summer tops to distribute to homeless kids at Hands of Hope. From left to right, Soroptimist advisor Pam Clifton,, Jaspreet Cheema, Taylor Scott, and Amanjit Lasher of the “S” Club, and Barbara Paterson of the St. Andrew Mission Team. The girls want to continue the project with fundraisers in the upcoming school year.

 

Thanks to Brittan School – California Jr. Scholarship Federation

For the third year in a row, the members of the California Junior Scholarship Federation at Brittan School in Sutter have supported Hands of Hope with the proceeds from their annual barbeque fundraiser.  Here, the current CJSF officers present a check for $850 for ongoing expenses at our service center in Yuba City.

Thanks to these students for their generous and loyal support!

 

Sutter County Superintendent of Schools donation

The Sutter County Superintendent of Schools Staff Association recently donated $500 to Hands of Hope, and has committed to partner with us during the next school year.  Association President Mike Greer made the presentation at our recent “Grand Opening.”

 

Rotaract Club

The Rotaract Club of Yuba College, a Rotary-affiliated student service club, heard about Hands of Hope from a campus speaker.  Rotaract President Mike Serpa was scheduled in a local weight-lifting competition, and challenged club members to pledge to Hands of Hope if he could successfully bench press 500 pounds.  Mike and the club raised $330, and presented it recently at our center.

 

Zulma Ortega – Live Oak H.S. student

Zulma Ortega, a graduating senior at Live Oak High School, has completed a busy season as a volunteer with Hands of Hope. Zulma worked in our Cold Weather Shelter Program, sorting and distributing housewares for families we shelter through a local cooperative.  She also helped with organizing our children’s rooms at the service center.  For her high school senior project, Zulma organized a donated clothing drive at a local Children’s Activity Fair, then sorted, laundered, and delivered the finished materials to our Clothing Closet program.

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church event

Pastor Dori Torrey of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Marysville, and event organizer Harry Fox present a check for $2267, the proceeds from their most recent Oktoberfest fundraiser for Hands of Hope. 

 

Live Oak High School student gives helping hand

April 21, 2009 Hands of Hope received a helping hand from Live Oak High School student, Gabriel Carrasco.  Concerned with how current economics are affecting people’s lives, Gabe adapted his Senior Project to raise money for Hands of Hope.  Gabriel chose to combine the physical and community requirements needed for the project by arranging the the Round Robin Basketball Tournament. Gabriel’s mentor for his Senior Project was his basketball coach, Baljit Dhami.  With the whole-hearted support of his family and peers, 14 teams were created for the event that was held Saturday, April 18th at the high school.Each team member contributed money to play and received a free meal after the tournament.  Plates of food were sold to raise additional funds. All of the food was prepared by Gabriel and his family. Prizes were given for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams.  Gabriel’s project was a great success and Hands of Hope will benefit from his good will and hard work. Gabriel presented President, Mike Mannshardt with a check for $500. We wish to thank Gabriel and his family and friends.