Scholarship Funds
The Goodwin family made their first trip to north Florida for Hands to Love’s signature annual event in 2011. Though they lived in Alabama, the Goodwin’s had heard about “hand camp” and the special opportunities for fun and fellowship for the entire family. Kendall, who was born with an upper limb difference, had just celebrated her 7th birthday and in lieu of presents asked for donations to be made to Hands to Love. The camp recognized her dedication and her dad, mom, and little brother Garrett were able to be a part of that recognition.
Hands to Love became a tribe for the Goodwin family and several of the families followed suit with fundraisers through the years. This group of families have maintained that connection and have supported the Goodwin family in their fight with cancer. Nate passed away in April of this 2020 and these friends who became family traveled to be with Christa, Kendall, and Garrett on the weekend of the service. This camp is an integral part of their story and we would like to honor that story through this scholarship. The fund will allow us to formalize family travel scholarships as well as offset the costs for housing at our new venue.
John Dufek served Hands to Love as the president of our board of directors from 2008-2011. He shared his vast experience in non-profit leadership with Hands to Love having served on the board of Catholic Charities for many years. John embodied the spirit of selfless service always researching solutions to logistical questions until resolved to his satisfaction.
This is the same spirit that the members of the U.F. student club, “G.R.I.P.” lead by their founder Jessica Bergau demonstrated at our first teen camp in 2015(?). At every camp event since, G.R.I.P. has provided 3-D printed prosthetics, functional adaptive devices and adapted gaming devices with the individual camper’s upper limb differences taken into consideration and at no cost to the family.
The John Dufek G.R.I.P./S.T.E.M. scholarship will provide financial support to underwrite costs of these types of 3-D printed devices for any child with an upper limb difference as well as enhanced S.T.E.M. programming at camp events.
Hands to Love is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We strive to provide all Hands to Love events and activities at the lowest possible cost to our families. We are able to provide low-cost services to these special families thanks to the generous support of our donors.
Hands to Love relies on the donations of generous supporters like you. Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of the families we serve.
By supporting Hands to Love, you enable us to continue our important work of creating a strong network that empowers limb-different children and their families through unique programs and special events.
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Ways to Donate
There are several ways to give, from cash donations, to goods and services, to In-Kind Donations.
Please contact us for information on other giving options, including: Legacy and Planned Giving, In Kind Donations, service donations, and volunteering your time and expertise.