Hope for the holidays: New Hope for Families fundraiser spreads cheer while raising funds
From an upside-down Grinch-themed Christmas tree to a tree filled with Nutcracker ornaments and tickets to the Musical Arts Center's performance of "Nutcracker," the three-day Hope for the Holidays tree extravaganza offered a holiday tree or wreath for any taste or interest.
In all, area businesses and residents decorated 50 trees and 14 wreaths that were auctioned off to raise money for New Hope for Families, a nonprofit that helps children and families impacted by homelessness.
"They were pretty amazing," said Emily Pike, executive director of New Hope, about the trees and wreaths displayed inside the Switchyard Park Pavilion Nov. 16-18.
Even more amazing in Pike's assessment were the people who purchased trees but then donated them back to New Hope so the trees can be given to families New Hope has helped secure a home. Because the auction was sponsored by Catalent, Pike said, all the money raised will support New Hope.
"It's such a fun way to start the holiday season," she said. "It was really moving to see how many people bought a tree and donated it back."
Although the final calculations weren't complete when Pike talked to The Herald-Times last week, she estimated the auction will raise about $55,000 after expenses.
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While New Hope for Families provides shelter for families who have no home, it also works with families to help them eventually move into their own residence. Pike said nationally, about 39% of people who spend time in a homeless shelter eventually move into place that they can rent, lease or purchase. Last year, 81% of the families who were homeless and found shelter at New Hope later moved into their own residence.
Pike said that's only possible because of help from the Bloomington community.
"It's been an amazing thing to watch this community embrace such a vital mission," she said. "We have such a compassionate community."
Since last Christmas, 27 families (about 95 people) are now celebrating the holidays in their own apartment or home.
"We want people to go home for the holidays," Pike said.
New home for New Hope
New Hope for Families is constructing two new buildings at the intersection of Patterson Drive and Morton Street that will be completed in early 2022. The nonprofit presently is located along West Second Street near the current IU Health Bloomington Hospital.
One of the buildings will have room for 12 families and is designed to accommodate between 36 and 68 people. Pike expects 35-50 most nights. She said New Hope usually has more families in need of housing in the summer months. She speculated that families may have to leave residences in the summer after they get behind in paying utilities during the colder, winter months.
"On any given night, about 40% of people facing homelessness are families with children," Pike said. "It's kind of shocking when you think about it."
The other building will house an early learning center for up to 48 young children.
Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com, 812-331-4359 or @ckugler on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: New Hope for Families tree fundraiser raises money to help homeless
