The 14th annual Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference Toiletries Drive focused on supporting those in the community who are struggling to make ends meet, as well as those who lost their homes and remain displaced by the Caldor Fire. Seven elementary schools, one middle school and 10 local businesses collected 7,375 items during the recent drive.
The Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference Community Engagement Youth Ambassadors worked with elementary schools in the Folsom, El Dorado and Placerville areas to collect toiletries. Each school advertised through posters and flyers that included information about the supply drive and which items were most requested such as dental supplies, deodorant, hair products and sunscreen. Local businesses, a soccer club and community members also supported Hands4Hope by hosting a collection barrel.
All donations were picked up from the participating schools and businesses by youth ambassadors, who then led multiple counting and sorting events. All the donated items were then packed to be distributed to various agencies in the community that directly work with those in need, such as Upper Room Dining Hall, Green Valley Community Church, Sister Nora’s Place, Children’s Receiving Home, Loaves and Fishes, City of Refuge, Powerhouse Ministries, Folsom’s Hope and Twin Lakes Food Bank. Donations will also be stocked at the Hands4Hope Placerville Youth Center to be distributed throughout the year through the Emergency Food Pantry Committee.
The schools participating this year were Oak Meadow Elementary, Jackson Elementary, Lake View Elementary, Gold Ridge Elementary, Buckeye Elementary, Gold Trail School, California Montessori Project and Pleasant Grove Middle School. The local businesses participating this year were Lyon Real Estate in Cameron Park, Shingle Springs and Placerville Snap Fitness,
Businesses and organizations that helped were Folsom Massage Heights, Folsom Kaia Fit, Legends Real Estate, Reliance Home Loans, AspireKids, Heritage Community and Folsom Lake Surf Soccer Club.
The Traveling Trophy is awarded to the schools that collect the most toiletries in its specific region. The 2024 winners of the Toiletries Drive Traveling Trophy are Gold Ridge Elementary, Oak Meadow Elementary and California Montessori Project.
Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is a nonprofit, youth driven organization with the mission to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service. Hands4Hope offers hands-on education and community engagement opportunities to youth from kindergarten through 12th grades through on-campus and after-school programs in Sacramento and El Dorado counties. Hands4Hope was selected as 2023 Nonprofit of the Year for California Senate District 4. For more information visithands4hopeyouth.org or call (916) 294-7426.
Pictured above are: Valerie Antkowiak, Sudeep Mazumder, Tarika Kahlon, Reneta Bell, Ozby Bell and Suzie Bell count and sort donated toiletries at the Hands4Hope Youth Center in El Dorado Hills. Photo: Hands4Hope.