Taylor first encountered Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference through the on-campus Hands4Hope Club at Marina Village Middle School. After participating in the Club for a while, her first Community Engagement Event was the annual Blanket Making Party. From there, she discovered Winter Boutique, and she was hooked.
Now, as a senior at Oak Ridge High School, Taylor has years of participation and nearly 250 service hours logged, many of them through Winter Boutique, including serving in a leadership role on the Winter Boutique Committee.
Nicole Craine, Hands4Hope Program Director, says, "Taylor is an exceptional Hands4Hope Leader dedicated and committed to serving her community with compassion, and inspires her peers to do the same."
We are delighted to have the opportunity to spotlight Taylor, and share her experiences with our Hands4Hope community.
Why did the Hands4Hope Winter Boutique experience interest you?
The first Community Engagement Event I participated in outside of school was the blanket making party, and that was how I learned about the Winter Boutique. I was so excited to be a part of the planning and organizing process of this event, and I met so many cool people at the boutique sorting and set-up days. The Winter Boutique distribution days were such an important experience for me; it was incredible to be able to touch the lives of so many families through the act of giving, especially during the holidays. Afterwards, I began to participate in other activities such as the School Supply Drive and Toiletries Drive, and continued to participate in Winter Boutique. I participated in the Winter Boutique Committee both last year and this year. Currently, I am the Clothing Logistics lead on the committee and got to help organize, keep track of, and distribute the donations for the boutique.
Think about what you’ve done with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference so far: How have these experiences shaped you into the person you are today compared to when you first joined?
Through my experiences volunteering at outreach events and leading others to help create successful projects, I have gained valuable communication, leadership, and time-management skills. I truly believe I am a more responsible and thoughtful person thanks to the time I have spent working with the amazing youth and staff that make up the organization.
What has been your favorite memory so far with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference?
My favorite memory this year was volunteering at the Hands4Hope Fall Festival. It was only my second time participating in this event, and I had such a good time making it festive and fun for kids in the community.
What would you tell someone who is considering joining Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? How do you see yourself being involved with Hands4Hope in the future?
I would tell someone who is considering joining Hands4Hope that it is the perfect opportunity to become more connected and involved in the place that you live. The clubs are great for making new friends and memories at your school while also being a part of something so much larger by impacting those beyond the immediate circle of people in your life.
What activities do you enjoy outside Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference?
Outside of Hands4Hope, I enjoy reading, playing tennis, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
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