PROVIDING BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
Sending Hope Ohio's October initiative showcased the power of community support through its heartfelt bereavement project for a local family in need. By providing homemade meals, financial assistance for unexpected medical bills, and food gift cards, our community ensured the family had both nourishment and peace of mind during a challenging time. Our community went above and beyond by stocking their pantry with groceries and creating a beautifully crafted memory photobook, which served as a touching tribute to cherished moments. This comprehensive support not only addressed immediate needs but also enveloped the family in love and compassion, demonstrating the profound impact of community solidarity in times of grief.
PROVIDING HYGIENE KITS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN NEED
Sending Hope Ohio partnered with Denison University for our September and October initiatives to collect hygiene products, which were vital in creating personal hygiene kits for individuals in need, including local unhoused populations. This collaboration fostered a spirit of community engagement and awareness, as college students, faculty, Newark City middle school students, and community families came together to gather and organize essential items. The resulting hygiene kits not only provided practical support but also served as a compassionate reminder that everyone deserves dignity and care, showcasing the impactful role of community partnerships in addressing local challenges.
9/11 DAY OF SERVICE COMMUNITY EVENT
Sending Hope Ohio and Denison University partnered to host a 9/11 Day of Service event, provided by support of the Youth Service America We Serve to Remember grant. Families listened to our guest speaker, Canine Companions, and joined a puppy meet-and-greet, participated in community service stations, learned about hands-on ways to create a better world, and honored local heroes. Other featured organizations included Honor Flight Columbus, Ronald McDonald House, Letters of Love, the Humane Society, Rocks of Love, The Callahan Murphy Hare Foundation, Fostering Further, Licking County Aging Partners, and special guests, the Newark Homeless Outreach and the Fairfield County Charity Newsies.
9/11 FIELD TRIP WITH NEWARK CITY SCHOOLS
On 9/11 we were honored to join Denison University and Honor Flight Columbus to host local middle school students on a field trip for 9/11 Day, provided by support by the Youth Service America We Serve to Remember grant. Students learned how they could be “everyday heroes”, engaged in meaningful conversations, and participated in community service stations for Honor Flight Columbus, the Ronald McDonald House, and local homeless individuals.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
In August, Sending Hope Ohio engaged in impactful community activities across various events. We contributed to the 2nd Annual Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Licking and Perry County's Family Fun Fest, enhancing the lives of local children and families. At Grace Haven's Buckeye Bash Tailgate, we raised awareness for our forthcoming holiday toy drive, aimed at supporting underprivileged children through Grace Haven. Each of these initiatives underscored our commitment to improving lives and fostering community support.
NEWARK HOMELESS OUTREACH
Sending Hope Ohio participated in Newark Homeless Outreach's International Overdose Awareness Day event. This somber occasion was dedicated to honoring those who have lost their lives to addiction and advocating for recovery efforts. Our involvement included partnering with local organizations to promote mental health and recovery treatment. Notably, Sending Hope Ohio facilitated the creation of a giant banner with participants. This collaborative project involved detailing, discussing, and illustrating how their lives create beauty in the world, serving as a powerful and uplifting tribute amidst the day's reflective atmosphere.
CELEBRATING EVERY BIRTHDAY
We are THRILLED to announce that Sending Hope Ohio donated 123 new toys to Big Brothers and Big Sisters to help create an emergency birthday gift bank for children in need! Every child deserves to feel celebrated, and we’re proud to play a part in making birthdays special for local children!
Sending a huge THANK YOU to all of our generous donors who made this possible! Your support helps us spread joy and make a real difference in our community.
FOSTERING INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTIONS
In June, we focused on our goal of fostering intergenerational connections!
Sending Hope Ohio hosted a garden craft party with Cards of Joy, LLC for the residents of Chimes Terrace Assisted Living, making new friends across generations and decorating the facility with our garden-themed creations!
Additionally, we launched an ongoing penpal program with elderly members of our community, fostered summer literacy in a free letter writing class, and assisted our neighbors through fellow nonprofit, Lutheran Social Services!
PEDIATRIC CANCER SUPPORT
In May, Sending Hope Ohio sponsored Zach, a local pediatric cancer patient, and his family. Thanks to your kindness and generosity, we not only met but exceeded our fundraising goal. Our final donations of meals through July, $3,500 in finances, along with the $750 in gift cards and snacks, homemade well-wishes, pictures, and cards, made a great impact on Zach's fight. We are immensely grateful for your contribution to our cause.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT PROJECT
In April, Sending Hope Ohio completed a bereavement project for three young children, following the passing of their mother and infant brother. Thanks to your donations, we prepared their grandparents’ home for three daily visitors, totaling $1,500 worth of donated and purchased items, provided a summer of memberships and experiences with $450 in gift cards, filled three new dressers with clothing, donated three professional birthday parties and a shopping spree, and professionally created three bereavement blankets made with their mother’s clothing. Your support has made a tangible difference in the lives of three young children, and we're immensely grateful for your kindness and compassion.
SPRING COMMUNITY SERVICE SOCIAL WITH DENISON UNIVERSITY
It is with tremendous gratitude that we announce our Spring Community Service Social, in partnership with Denison University, was a GIANT success! We showcased eight different service projects benefiting the Ronald McDonald House, nursing homes, birthday parties for underprivileged children, greeting cards for the lonely, and more! Most importantly, we made nearly 200 new friends and celebrated the BIG places we are going with an entire community! The idea that was started around a kitchen table by four young children in 2020 has reached heights we never could have dreamed.
GURNEY FAMILY CHILDREN/BABY ITEM DRIVE
Sending Hope prepared the Gurney family's home for their upcoming foster care children, as well as provided assistance to new mothers in need through a social work program in the Ohio State University Maternal Medicine Department.
CLOTHING DRIVE FOR CALLIHAN MURPHY HARE FOUNDATION
Sending Hope donated 30 giant boxes of children’s clothing to the Callahan Murphy Hare Foundation for their annual clothing sale befitting pediatric cancer research.
BLANKET DONATION TO THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
With the creativity of local children and families, Sending Hope donated 30 homemade blankets to the Columbus Ronald McDonald house to be given to each child upon admission.
VALENTINE’S DAY SENIOR TEA
Sending Hope partnered with Cards of Joy, LLC to host a special Valentine’s Tea Party at Chimes Terrace, a nursing home and assisted living facility. Residents enjoyed tea and snacks, provided by Gracefully Iced by Tabbetha, played bingo, enjoyed decorations made by a local Girl Scout troop, and received homemade valentines by elementary students.
CLOTHING DRIVE FOR FOSTER CARE AND CHILDREN IN NEED
of clothing to Foster Care closets!
WORLD KINDNESS DAY
Random Acts of Kindness Day was February 17th, but we are celebrating this day ALL year with our Random Acts of Kindness campaign! Join us all year in tracking your acts of kindness with #SendingHopeOhio
ANDREW’S WINTER WONDERLAND
Six-year-old Andrew was diagnosed with Stage Four Ewings Scarcoma and had a planned week long stay at Children’s Hospital. Since he wasn’t able to play in the snow this year, Sending Hope created a winter wonderland, complete with over 250 handmade snowflakes and banners, a handmade blanket, twinkling lights, and a dozen snow-themed gifts and activities. This was a giant team effort by three classrooms, a scout troop, and nearly 300 friends.
WINTER CLOTHING FOR THE HOMELESS
Frostbite is a major issue in our local homeless population. Sending Hope members collected gently used coats, blankets, gloves/hats, thermals for Newark Homeless Outreach.