You can’t help but hear a child’s laughter or see a baby’s smile and feel happier. Their joy is contagious, and I’ve often said that they are the best remedy for a bad day. Truth be told, I was having a hard week when Hbg4Kids got its start. It wasn’t until I closely examined my situation that I realized how insignificant my problems were in comparison with those around me. I think it was God’s gentle way of reminding me to be thankful for what I do have and to concentrate on how I could help others. From that point forward, I was determined to give back.
Hbg4Kids started very small two years ago. I reached out to a few close friends and asked them to join me in giving back to others during the holidays. I quickly realized however that there is a large group of young professionals and community members who want to help others, but they just need an organization, cause or channel through which to give. We quickly found that our true passion is helping children in our community who are facing some of life’s biggest obstacles but deserve bright futures. In what has become our theme, we wanted to “Give a Smile … Harrisburg Style.”
For our first campaign, we helped raise support for The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, as they work to provide invaluable care to children and their families. Our team’s efforts were well received, and at our inaugural event we were thrilled to present a $10,000 donation to the organization and help local children smile. From that night forward, our passion only grew stronger.
This year, we set our sights on reaching children in Harrisburg and around the world. We partnered with TOMS, a shoe company that donates one pair of shoes to an underprivileged child for every pair purchased through its “One for One” program. Through the community’s generosity, we are thrilled to have donated more than 200 pairs through our “Heel Your Sole” campaign.
We then turned our attention to Allison Hill. Children living in this neighborhood face some of Harrisburg’s most challenging conditions including the city’s highest violent crime, unemployment and poverty rates – but many are striving for bright futures through educational mentoring provided by The Joshua Group. Our goal was to raise support for the nonprofit’s after-school tutoring program, J-Crew, which assists students in achieving academic success.
On February 4, we held our 2nd Annual Give Them a Smile, Harrisburg Style Charity Event at Dragonfly Club with title corporate sponsor HealthAmerica. Continuing to gather generous donations throughout the evening, we were thrilled to present a check to The Joshua Group for $12,000.
Despite a tough economy and the challenges it brings, the Harrisburg community continues to demonstrate its commitment to our youth.
What began as a small group of friends wanting to lend a hand, Hbg4Kids has evolved into a powerful catalyst, joining young professionals, adults, businesses, organizations and the community together to make a difference in the lives of local youth. Comprised of nearly 20 young professionals from the greater-Harrisburg area, we are working collaboratively to improve the lives of children and, of course, “Give a Smile … Harrisburg Style.”
Traci Fatula is a lifelong Harrisburg resident and president of Hbg4Kids. For more information on the group, call 717-903-7307 e-mail Hbg4Kids@gmail.com.
