about the impact of connections.

I am very lucky to work for an organization (Hands4Hope) that gives youth the chance to make a difference in our community.  I have found a match with my passion.

Last week, TL and I volunteered with a handful of kids and adults for one of our homeless outreach events.  The organization allows it's members (more than 340 of them) to sign up for different events to volunteer for.  The homeless outreach events tend to fill up fast.  The reason: unbelievable connections are made with the youth and the people they are serving.

Our morning started early.  At 6:30 a.m., I had a large pan of refried beans heating in our oven.  At 8:30, we met up with the group in the conference room at a local supermarket.   There, we set up an assembly line and spent time putting together sack lunches.  The kids hand made the bean burritos.  Then they assembled the bags with chips, and cookies.

After caravanning to our site - the kids had fruit, bottled water, and hot chocolate to offer.

Within minutes of arriving... more than 100 people had lined up to take advantage of a good meal.

We parked along a back alley and pulled fold up tables out and set them up with the different stations of food.

The last station had donated items: clothing, books, toiletries, and bags.  (The toiletries go fast - toothpaste, hand sanitizer, soaps, ect)

The tall kid in the hat is TL - followed by the assembly line of H4H kids.

 Circled up after the event discussing our experience.

The group of volunteers (minus Jen, our founder, who took the picture)

(I know I look like a kid in the front row - some of the 10 year olds are taller than me)

We served lunch to more than 250 people.

The morning was amazing for me.  I saw kids talking to these people who are truly struggling.  It helps put the world into perspective for all of us.

I saw one of our kids get approached by one of the men getting help.  He was a little scary looking, but he just wanted to shake his hand and say thank you.  When he put his hand out, I saw some hesitation at first from our kid, but then he looked up into his eyes and shook his hand and said "you're welcome, sir."

I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday.

If you're wondering how we get the funds to get the food & toiletries... our kids do a lot of it.  Every year they do a huge toiletry drive and collect thousands of them.  They do fundraisers to buy food & supplies.  We also receive donations from people in our community and everywhere.  If you know anyone that is ever looking to give to a good cause, send them my way. ;)