EL DORADO HILLS — Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference has launched its 16th Annual Warm & Fuzzy Drive, a youth-led initiative collecting new essential clothing and blankets to help community members in need stay warm and safe this winter. Donations are accepted now through November 14 at multiple collection sites across El Dorado and Sacramento counties, with additional options for online giving.
Organized and led entirely by Hands4Hope student volunteers, the annual drive supplies hundreds of local families with winter essentials that will later be distributed during the nonprofit’s Winter Boutique in December. The boutique provides a free, festive shopping-style experience for families referred by local schools, caseworkers, and service providers, ensuring they leave with the clothing and blankets they need at no cost.
“Thanks to previous donations, we already have many new and used jackets, sweaters, pants, and other warm clothes to distribute at Winter Boutique,” said Alexa Schaudel, a junior at Oak Ridge High School and Clothing Logistics Lead for the Hands4Hope committee. “This is why we are mainly reaching out to the community for donations of new underclothing, warm essentials, and blankets. These items can be expensive for foster care providers and families with limited means, and we want to help ensure that local children and families have what they need to stay warm this winter.”
New items for babies through adults are needed, including socks, underwear, thermals, sports bras, pajamas, leggings, gloves, scarves, hats, and blankets (twin and larger).
Collection bins will rotate through various community locations: from October 6–17, donations can be dropped off at Lakeview Elementary School, Folsom Lake Surf Club, El Dorado Hills Library, and Serrano Visitors Center. From October 20–30, bins will be available at Buckeye Elementary, Silva Valley Elementary, and Oak Meadow Elementary. Between November 3–14, bins will be located at Faith Episcopal Church, Heritage Community, Snap Fitness Shingle Springs, Snap Fitness Placerville, Jackson Elementary, and William Brooks Elementary.
Additional collections include a “Blanket Blizzard” hosted by Reliance Home Loans and Sutter’s Mill Elementary from November 3–14, and a sock drive by Markham Middle School’s Hands4Hope club from November 10–14. Donations may also be dropped off at the Hands4Hope El Dorado Hills Youth Center, Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Supporters can also shop directly from Hands4Hope’s Amazon and Walmart registries, which ship items to the organization, or sponsor a family in need through a financial contribution. Links to registries, donation addresses, and sponsorship details are available at www.Hands4HopeYouth.org/warmfuzzydrive.
As part of the effort, Hands4Hope will host its annual Blanket Making Party on Saturday, November 15, at Camerado Springs Middle School. The family-friendly event invites participants of all ages to make cozy no-sew blankets for the Winter Boutique. All materials and instruction will be provided, and RSVPs are required.
This year’s Winter Boutique Committee consists of 20 youth in grades 8 through 12, working under the guidance of adult mentors. The team oversees all aspects of the event—from theme design and marketing to sorting, setup, and distribution—embodying Hands4Hope’s mission to empower youth through leadership and service.
Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is a nonprofit youth-driven organization offering hands-on education and community engagement programs in Sacramento and El Dorado counties. The organization’s mission is to inspire and empower youth to make a positive difference in their communities. For more information, visit www.hands4hopeyouth.org or call 916-294-7426.
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