FACES & PLACES
AROUND TOWN MAY 2006

HOPE: Helping Other People Everyday
by Megan Wetzel

One of my favorite quotes is from Emily Dickenson that reads “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all”. (Emily Dickinson, (1830–1886)

In New Hope, PA “HOPE” has many meanings. Helping Other People Everyday or H.O.P.E. is the fulfillment of the community’s vision of coming together to help each other in times of need. Daily, we are faced with challenges that we may not be able to overcome without the help of someone or a group of people to provide a helping hand. This organization was developed to help these people and to entrust the community in their welcoming hands.

Partnered with Rabbi Sandy Roth of Kehilat HaNahar, Father Kindon of St. Martin of Tours, and New Hope Borough Councilwoman Geri Delevich, the H.O.P.E. team is also made up of a group of caring and concerned members of your community who are willing to help others! It is the goal of this organization to share their time, talent and resources for the good of their friends and neighbors.

H.O.P.E. uses seven groups of volunteers. Each group serves on a rotating basis, for one week at a time. Each group has two co-leaders who take calls during their week and assign the jobs to the appropriate volunteers on their list. The volunteer then confirms the details with the person needing service and the appointment is set.

When someone lends a hand, they could be involved with an array of tasks, such as:

• taking phone calls
• making house visits with those who are unable to leave their homes
• providing transportation to places such as medical appointments
• driving to the bank, the post office, or the supermarket
• preparing meals on an emergency basis
• going grocery shopping for the homebound

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance or you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out the form located on the New Hope, PA Borough website: www.newhopeborough.org/communityprograms.htm   There you will also find all contact information for each team member, should you have any further questions.