When Christine Gianacaci was killed in the Haitian earthquake in 2010, Christine's Hope for Kids (CHFK) was founded to carry on her legacy. Now, the organization has expanded into Hopewell Valley Central High School. This arm of CHFK, the Community Service Club, has taken a more general approach to service. From packing over 200 pajama bags for Children's Home Society and Homefront, to writing holiday cards for recovering veterans in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the club has helped all ages and all situations.
By Claire King
When Christine Gianacaci was killed in the Haitian earthquake in 2010, Christine's Hope for Kids (CHFK) was founded to carry on her legacy. Now, the organization has expanded into Hopewell Valley Central High School. This arm of CHFK, the Community Service Club, has taken a more general approach to service. From packing over 200 pajama bags for Children's Home Society and Homefront, to writing holiday cards for recovering veterans in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the club has helped all ages and all situations.
But it's more than just the abstract idea of giving that encourages members to donate their time week after week. Christine's Hope for Kids provides everyone it touches -- those receiving support and those giving support -- with a sense of possibility.
As the longest-running volunteer, I have been working with CHFK since 2011. I remember the first time I volunteered, the first time I felt this sense of possibility. It was at the annual Trenton YMCA book fair.
A little boy, no older than 7, came up to our table piled high with used books. He scrutinized book after book, peering up at me for reassurance, until he folded just one into his arms. I invited him to take more.
"I don't have enough money," the boy replied.
It went back and forth like this for a few minutes. The boy simply couldn't understand that those books were free. But when he did, there was this new vitality, this new life in him. A pile of books formed all the way up to his chin. There were books about polar bears and astronauts and art.
His mind moved faster than his mouth did, and his words tumbled over each other as he explained his plans to save the polar bears from melting ice caps and create a society on Mars. The possibilities were endless.
And I just stood and watched, amazed. This opportunity had changed his entire world, even if only for a few minutes. It gave me hope: hope for this boy, for my own potential to make a difference, and for the community.
Now through the Community Service Club, I've had the chance to share this feeling with others. It's this feeling that keeps members coming back, this feeling that they are part of something bigger than themselves.
Last spring, seven volunteers went after school to the Mill Hill Child Development Center to help celebrate Easter with about 20 children, ages 6 to 12. Together, the volunteers and children made Styrofoam bunnies, painted eggs and played musical chairs.
"Seeing those kids running around and thanking you for coming, you realize that you really do have the power to make a difference. It's an amazing realization," says Kanon Shambora, an active Community Service Club member.
Your donation to the 2015 Times Holiday Appeal will help Christine's Hope for Kids continue its mission to help kids in need in our community.
NJM Insurance Group of West Trenton has pledged to donate $1,000 for every $5,000 contributed by the community and other business donors throughout the 2015 campaign.
To make a donation to support Christine's Hope for Kids, make your check payable to The Times Holiday Appeal and mail to Times Charities, Inc., 413 River View Plaza, Trenton, NJ 08611.
All gifts will be acknowledged in The Times. Anonymity will be granted, if requested.
For more about Christine's Hope for Kids, go to www.christineshope.org.
This story was written by Christine's Hope for Kids volunteer Claire King, a junior at Hopewell Valley Central High School.
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