BE Helping Hands has come a long way since when it started with two people; me as the co-founder. In 2021, it takes 25 volunteers from all kinds of different backgrounds and languages to serve our people in the community.
I am now in my first year of university at CSUN. However, due to the pandemic, the classes are still only available online as the campus is shut down. This allows me to expand my volunteering areas.
I cannot tell you how many hundreds or even thousands of “goodie bags” I have assembled. Since my dad (age 73) is super worried about the virus, this is something I can do from home.
It blessed many elderly and essential workers at hospitals.
I am continuing to bless underprivileged students with items from their wish lists. I was especially happy about being able to grant a new bike which made it much easier for one of the students to get to his after-school job.
Sending three shipments of care packages of 250 lbs each to the deployed servicemen and women on the USS Theodore Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). 1,200 sailors contracted the virus and were stuck at sea.
Rain or shine, we have our weekly pantries. We expanded and now have two locations—Agoura Hills and Newbury Park.
We also added helping teenage mothers by supplying breast pumps, diapers, toys, etc.
We still give out an abundance of flowers, which make people very happy.
This is our second year of handing out turkey vouchers. We also have Grab and Give bags, and special gift bags with local honey.
Our weekly sack lunches in North Hill continue as does our backpack drive.