Village of Hope spreads Christmas cheer, love and toys to area's needy children

From left, VOH volunteers Hallie Cauley, Arianna Rawls and Nicole Dionne, all of Rochester overseeing the collection and distribution of toys from Postal Center USA on South Main Street in Rochester. )Courtesy photo)

Village of Hope began in 2015 when a woman named Tiffani posted in a local mom's group seeking volunteers to start a Christmas charity. She created a Facebook group devoted to helping children wake up to gifts under the tree. Since 2015, VOH has helped more than 1,000 children experience Christmas magic. This charity focuses on helping children on a personal level by bringing the community together to ensure that their needs and some wants are provided during the holiday season.

Since its creation, they have grown to help more children, and with more volunteers they have been able to expand the areas they cover. The group has provided assistance to families from New Hampshire and Maine in the following towns: New Hampshire: - Barrington, Dover, Durham, Epping, Exeter, Farmington, Hampton, Lee, Madbury, Milton, Newington, Newmarket, Portsmouth, Raymond, Rochester, Rollinsford, Rye, Seabrook, Somersworth, Strafford, Stratham. Maine: Berwick, Eliot, Kittery, Lebanon, N. Berwick, S. Berwick, Sanford, York.

Parents apply through a secure website, for their children to be "adopted" for Christmas. Unlike most charities, the adoption/assignment/communication activity takes place primarily on Facebook. Once "adopted" based on age and needs/wants, some of the donors will choose to have direct contact, while others will remain anonymous. Adopters will cover a child's basic needs and wants to ensure they have the most magical Christmas. In 2023, VOH had 337 kids get adopted by local community members who were looking to help give back.

In 2022, VOH decided to host a toy drive for the first time. This toy drive allowed those who missed the deadline to apply, didn't qualify, or were unable to provide the necessary paperwork to at least get one toy for their child. The toy drive was open to those in need in the towns that VOH serves, and they provided for about 30 children in 2022.

This year, VOH had more than 140 kids signed up for the toy drive alone. The toy drive was held on Dec. 17 at Postal Center USA in Rochester. Parents were lined up waiting for their chance to get a gift for their children. Because of generous donations throughout our communities, VOH was able to give parents at least one toy, socks, books, diapers, wipes, and stocking stuffers.

As VOH continue to grow, they rely on the support of community members.

As this year closes, VOH will have helped 337 kids with full adoptions, 8 kids from the Dover Children's Home, and over 140 children with the toy drive.

If you would like more information about VOH, would like to donate, or would like info on how to volunteer, go to VillageofHopeNH.org.