Handing Out Hope

Manuel’s GREEN Corner

Did you know that simply leaving your cell charger connected in an outlet consumes energy? Simply disconnecting your charger from the wall, once your cell has been charged saves on oil consumption in great ways. This also includes your laptop and other devices around your house. Turning off your computer is another way to conserve energy. The rule of thumb is to turn off and unplug any appliance that “glows” when not in use. These are just small ways to reduce energy consumption. Imagine if we all did our part in big ways?

Recycle! Its cliché, its trendy, and its working. Going an extra step and recycling paper, cartons, glass, and other reusable goods is even better. And what about your old electronics? Old cell phones, mp3 players, TV’s, and computers…. all can be recycled. Manufacturers reuse many of the parts our old appliances and electronics were built with. The more they reuse, the less they manufacture. The less they manufacture, the less energy they use and the CHEAPER new electronics and appliances will cost us.

Are you carpooling, do you drive a hybrid, have you changed all the bulbs in your home to energy efficient ones? And what about water? Some believe water may one day be as scarce as the oil we use. Do you really need hour-long showers? Do you really need the faucet running while brushing your teeth? Consider that water isn’t an endless resource where we have on reserve limitless amounts to consume.

Ultimately, you must remember to ask yourself each day: In the grand scheme of things, am I part of the problem or part of the solution?!

From the President

Handing Out Hope has returned from Mozambique after having implemented the Beacon of Hope Livestock Project.  There were many challenges along the way, from unpredictable weather conditions to social and cultural barriers but as we kept on with our vision we completed that which we set out to do.  A plan was crafted for Beacon of Hope making the goal of self reliance attainable after just two years. The plan represents so many things, the most significant being that it is a REAL solution for Beacon of Hope to no longer be enslaved to dependency but self reliant in its own right.  Words will never be able to express how wonderful it feels to have been able to be apart of the implementation process.  HOPE is what seemed to be a common theme for all those involved; from myself being hopeful that we had found a viable solution to help sustain projects that afforded the youth of Mozambique an education which would allow them to achieve their potential, to those youth who saw HOPE through our plan as being possibly their one chance to achieve greatness using their own abilities.  That opportunity, that display of HOPE, is something that would otherwise not have been a reality had it not been for YOU.  On behalf of those currently benefiting from your generosity, to those who will benefit from it in the future, thank you for making this world just a little bit better and much more hopeful.  

Spotlight On: Kristin McCleod, Director of the Board

Kristin McLeod, Director of Networking, is one of the newest board members for Handing Out Hope.

Kristin grew up in Torrington, Connecticut. She has ayounger brother named Danny and an older sister named Kari. Kari is the mother of Kristin’s one year old niece Stella Ann. Kristin attended G.W. University and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She worked for nonprofit organizations after graduation. She also became a paralegal at one point. She moved to Los Angeles in 2006 after living in Chicago. She started working for a travel com-parison site called OneTime.com, which trained her on becoming a Search Engine Marketing Strategist. Currently, she is the Search Engine Marketing Manager.

Kristin got involved with Handing Out Hope in 2007 as the New Projects Coordinator. Her job was to research and start planning projects which led to the planning of the School on Wheels project. “School on Wheels is my favorite project, as I am very inter-ested in providing supplemental educational opportunities for those in need. I like Handing Out Hope’s reach and scope of projects, as well as working with such wonderful and dedicated people.”

Handing Out Hope Wins Big in Primm

Family, friends and supporters of HOH filled a charter bus to Primm, Nevada in the early morning hours of December 14th. Once the sleep wore off it was time for fun! Our president, Frank Rivera, hosted a few rounds of BINGO and a contest to guess what time the bus would finally arrive at Primm. The time flew by and soon we were off the bus and into the buffet where we all had lunch together before venturing off on our own adventures.

Several people tried their luck at slot machines, Black Jack tables and even roulette! Some of the group FELT like they won after hitting the outlet mall for some last minute holiday shopping. Everyone scored big deals and went back to the bus loaded down with bags of goodies.

After a long, exciting day we watched movies and slept on the bus trip home. It was a great trip and we hope to do it again in the future. The big winner of the day was Handing Out Hope- proceeds from the bus tickets will help fund our projects for 2009.

Remember there are many ways to get involved in fun events like the Primm trip!

Fundraiser vs. Doner

Tell us what you think about this video on YouTube, taking a tongue-in-cheek look at the relationship between donors and the organizations they donate to.

Fundraiser vs. Donor