Summer is a wonderful time. There is so much to do, places to go, kids to keep busy and family fun. The problem is we are so busy that it is hard for us to remember those who are having a hard time; those who are “falling through the cracks.”
Helping Hearts and Hands (HHH) experiences a hard time every summer when agencies continue to send us applications for those who desperately need help and donations drop off. We will soon have to shut down for awhile if some funds don’t come in to help.
HHH is in its 24th year of giving one-time help to families in crisis. We have seen the need continue to increase each year. In 1999, we helped 60 families. This number rose through the years to a peak of 600 in 2003. This year alone, we have helped more than 350 families, which puts us on a pace to reach 700 families by the year’s end.
Below are two examples of the many families needing funds:
Case No. 5355: 27-year-old Marvin is raising his 3-year-old son alone. His 16-year-old sister, who has a 1-year-old son, is helping him. He was able to manage until he was laid off from his job last month. He expects to work again soon, but if he doesn’t get $300 for rent soon, his family will be on the street.
Case No. 5361: Florence is only 28, but has many problems. She has Type 2 Diabetes, and her teeth are so bad that she can hardly eat. At age 10, a tooth had to be removed from the roof of her mouth. Now she needs all of her teeth removed and replaced with dentures. This will cost $1,000. We are working with other agencies trying to find help for her. We hope you will help, too.
HHH is totally staffed by volunteers including our program director, treasurer, secretary, board chair and all of the wonderful board members who work on fund-raising, annual reports, grant writing and whatever needs to be done. While Family Tree is our fiscal agent, we receive no funds from them.
Mark your calendar: The HHH board will be celebrating on Sept. 15 at Arvada United Methodist Church during the annual Holiday Harvest Happening Fundraising Luncheon. Proceeds from the luncheon will help HHH continue to give that one-time emergency help to families in our community.
Helping Hearts and Hands is a nonprofit agency that provides one-time assistance to families in need. To make a donation, make your check payable to HHH, and mail it to Helping Hearts and Hands, 3805 Marshall St. #100, Wheat Ridge, 80033. Questions may be directed to me at 303-936-9043.