The foundation's mission is to help less fortunate children in Mercer County, while collaborating with local community agencies to benefit children in need. Whether supporting children to attend camp, holding book fairs, or packing pajama bags for children in shelters, CHFK believes that it is the little things that can and do make the greatest impact in a child's life.
Christine's Hope for Kids (CHFK) was founded to honor the memory and continue the legacy of Christine Gianacaci, a 22-year-old Lynn University student from Hopewell. Christine was passionate about helping children in need and was fulfilling that passion on a January 2010 mission to Haiti when she was killed in a massive earthquake.
Christine's determined pursuit of spreading hope to children led her parents, Jean and John Gianacaci, to found the organization in her honor.
The foundation's mission is to help less fortunate children in Mercer County, while collaborating with local community agencies to benefit children in need. Whether supporting children to attend camp, holding book fairs, or packing pajama bags for children in shelters, CHFK believes that it is the little things that can and do make the greatest impact in a child's life.
This past January, Jean and John Gianacaci traveled to Haiti. It was their first trip and they knew it would be difficult but necessary, for so many reasons. But, mostly, they needed to see where Christine spent her last days.
The Gianacacis traveled with some of the other families and they all spent two days retracing their children's last steps, visiting the places they had been before the earthquake.
The Gianacacis left Haiti with many emotions. First, they felt an unbelievable sense of pride at how much Christine had accomplished and how far she had come. She was determined to overcome her fears and challenge herself to do the things she longed to do. Christine was brave and strong. She was able to leave home for college in Florida and this was her second mission trip with Food for the Poor.
They also came away never more sure of the continued direction for Christine's Hope for Kids, the direction of helping kids right here in Mercer County where they know where the donations are going and can see the kids being helped. They see so many kids right here in our own neighborhoods that need help. And they can see the results, which is so important to CHFK and its donors.
"Many times people will stop me and say, 'You guys are everywhere, you are really busy!' or 'I can't believe how many places you deliver to!'" said Jean Gianacaci, CHFK founder. "I always answer, 'We are really busy, but it's all good.' It's good because we are helping so many kids in need.'"
But Jean shared that she has also wondered, "What is so good about it?"
"It's not good that we are so busy. Every year our numbers increase," she said. "We do more backpacks, sports equipment, books, pajama bags and monetary donations for programs. Every year we are busier. That just means there are so many more kids who need us, more kids who need help. I am thankful and humbled we are able to do it, but it breaks my heart when I see the number of kids is increasing instead of declining. A good day will be when someone says, 'Are you busy?' and I can say, 'No, not really.'"
CHFK hopes to count on the community's support to help put a smile on children's faces and maybe give them a memory to hold onto.
Your donation to the 2015 Times Annual 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 information about Christine's Hope for Kids, go to www.christineshope.org.
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