Meet Carletta: A Success Story of HOPE Helps

Meet Carletta:

A success story of HOPE Helps

In December, the resource department met a woman who exemplified how a financial crisis can occur within a matter of moments. 

Carletta is a single mother who was employed full time and was a distinguished employee with multiple awards for her work ethic during the 8 years at her company. When she came to HOPE, she was 7 months pregnant with her second child. 

After Thanksgiving, Carletta's car broke down causing her to pay an unexpected $400.  With bills to pay and a child to provide for, the she had no choice, but to rent a car while hers was in the shop, adding an additional unexpected expense. Shortly after receiving her car back, it was repossessed. In order to gather enough funds to retrieve it, the client pawned off precious jewelry belonging to her and her young daughter. 

To make matters worse, she received an eviction notice stating that she had 14 days to come up with her rent. The client said, 

"I felt like I was stuck in a hole with no rope to help me get out. I had never been in a situation like this before." 

It was then that she began seeking help from outside resources to obtain rental assistance. Upon being turned down by another local agency due to lack of funds for the month, she was directed to seek assistance from the HOPE Helps Resource Center.  

"The morning that I arrived the store was still closed. I sat in my car praying for God to open a doorway to help me get back on my feet. It was Christmas time, I had a young child and I was 7 months pregnant. I never expected anything like this to happen to me." 

It was at HOPE that she found a light at the end of the tunnel. Today, Carletta is enjoying spending time with her children while she is on maternity leave.  She was very eager to share her testimony of the blessing that HOPE was to her. Carletta said, 

"without HOPE my children and I would be out on the street, HOPE is a true blessing to the community."  

Drop a Treasure in The HOPE Chest Fundraiser : April Event

   Our longtime volunteer and author, Suzanne Walker, will donate $3.00 for every online order of her new book, first in a series teaching applied Godly behavior. The storytelling book series starting with Forgiveness shows children ages 4-7 (standard Bible Scripture acceptable to churches  in the HOPE coalition) in a way they can understand to solve daily problems. It is simple, fun and engaging. Offered in hard copy and ebook with free download of  Audio narration.

   The book series is entitled Treasure Chest Blueprint adventures of Mark and James. In the story, James has observed his older brothers and sister struggling with daily problems. Because he wants to be a scientist and detective, he goes on a hunt for answers. In his parent's special closet, he finds a Treasure Chest with a Blueprint (Bible) which maps out the answers. He guides his younger brother Mark and others to truths they can use for a lifetime.

Here's how it works:

1. Click this link to order online: 

https://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781634491471

2. Enter the promo code HOPE2015.

HOPE will receive her profits of $3.00 per book/ebook. 

Help us get lots of COIN!

Become a sponsor for HOPE's 4th Annual Sham Rock N Run 2015!

Thank you for considering sponsorship of HOPE’s 4^th Annual Sham Rock N Run on March 7^th, 2015. The proceeds from this event will directly support families and individuals in crisis right here in our community. Click HERE for a copy of our detailed sponsorship packet.

Sham Rock N Run is your chance to advertise your business, personally engage participants, get positive attention, and gain new customers within the local community for a competitive rate. Sponsors will have the opportunity to feature their logo and company name prominently on our social media, email lists, media PSA's (paid sponsors only) on Clear Channel radio, race t-shirts, and marketing collateral.

*APPLICATIONS & PAYMENT MUST BE SUBMITTED 

BY JANUARY 30^th, 2015 

FOR YOUR LOGO TO BE FEATURED ON OUR SHAM ROCK N RUN T-SHIRTS.*

As a sponsor for Sham Rock N Run, your brand will have exposure to:

•               »300 racers
•          Resident cheerleaders around the race course
•          Local supporters of HOPE Helps, Inc.
•          Volunteers
•          Thrift Store customers
•          5,000 + e-newsletter subscribers
•          Web visitors on the HOPE Helps, Inc. website
•          Social media (combined 2,000 followers on Facebook and Twitter)
•          Hundreds of Central Florida residents through flyer distribution and PSAs

Click HERE to download a copy of our sponsorship packet. This form will have additional details and the application to hold your spot.

If you’re looking to try something new to market your company or organization, consider becoming an in-kind sponsor at Sham Rock N Run. All in-kind sponsors will receive recognition through social media and web presence, be able to give away one marketing item in goodie bags, and the opportunity to have a vendor table at the race. All information is listed in our sponsorship packet.

We appreciate your consideration in support of HOPE Helps, Inc. After you have had a chance to review the information, we’ll be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Please submit your questions and applications to Stephanie, our Special Events & Development Coordinator, at events@hopehelps.org.

This Friday, all-day on-air radio fundraiser for HOPE with WJRR 101.1

This FRIDAY, you get to control the radio.

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head?

Take care of your musical craving by donating to HOPE and requesting your favorite song on the radio with WJRR 101.1 this FRIDAY - any genre, any artist - for an ALL-DAY ON-AIR fundraiser. You can even sponsor an hour to advertise your business.

Click HERE or keep reading below for all the details!

Pay for Play with WJRR 101.1 FM

Here's how it works:

1. REQUEST a song you want to hear. (includes ALL genres, artists, and local bands.)
2. Choose a SHOUT OUT message with your songs. (Optional)
3. CHOOSE THE HOUR you want to hear your song! (Optional)
4. BUY your song by clicking HERE or call 407-916-1011 on the 12th.

SONG DONATION:

$20 Rock Song      $30 Any Genre      $100 Local Bands

BUSINESS DONATION:
You can sponsor the entire hour! $250 PLUS DONATION
Minimum of 5 live mentions & will be featured on WJRR 101.1's website and newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. We look forward to hearing all your musical tastes at WJRR's all-day on-air fundraiser on Friday, December 12th from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

A big shout out to WJRR and Mel's Bad Girls Club for your continued support of HOPE Helps, Inc.! Thank you!

Sincerely,

HOPE Helps, Inc.

CommYOUnity Giving - Vote for HOPE Helps, Inc!

We have another fantastic opportunity in our hands! HOPE Helps, Inc. is one of the top ten finalists for the Community Giving Grant competition from Old Florida Bank. They have already awarded us with $2,500! However, the organization receiving the MOST overall votes among all branches will receive the Corporate Grant of more than $6,000.  

This is a great opportunity to use our social life to benefit the community. I have full faith that we can absolutely WIN the Corporate Grant by working together. Please share the attached flyers with community partners, newsletters, friends, family, personal social media pages, and etc. I will be posting on the HOPE Facebook page regularly to remind our supporters. (CLICK HERE FOR PDF - this file has an attached link to the voting site.)

Voting will open December 1st and continue through January 9^th 2015.  Voting pages can be reached by following this link  http://commyounitygiving.com/. There is also a link on the Old Florida Bank Facebook page.     

To Vote Beginning December 1st at 10AM:

1)      On the main Commyounity Giving page, click the large orange "vote now" button.

2)      Select a branch to see the finalists. Feel free to browse the different branches to learn about the finalists for each.

3)      Click on the name of the organization you wish to vote for.

4)      You will be directed to a page requiring an email address to register your vote. 

5)      Once entered, click the orange "submit vote" button.

6)      A confirmation page will appear, thanking you and giving the opportunity to share the Commyounity Giving voting links on your Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Please note:

Email addresses will only be used to make sure each vote is valid and there is no duplicate voting.  Each email address can be used to vote one (1) time on one (1) branch finalist.