Ending the Year with Gratitude and Cheer!
As 2024 ends, Pretty Heart reflects on our year's wins and losses. We are grateful for the progress we have made and the programs we have managed to maintain and are looking forward to pushing forward into 2025. The following items highlight where we’ve come from and where we are headed:
Heart to Help Success
Pretty Heart's 'Heart to Help' program has successfully completed its second year!
Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our donors, we have been able to provide over 600 meals to those in need within Alameda County this year. We are incredibly proud of the impact we've made and are committed to continuing this vital work in 2025. We're excited to announce that we are actively seeking partnerships with food truck vendors to further expand our reach and impact. Your support makes a difference!
Shower Program on the Horizon
Pretty Heart is thrilled to announce our initiative to launch a Shower Program in Oakland, CA!
We're collaborating with the City of Oakland Aquatics Programs to bring this essential service to our community. With the support of the City Council, District 3, we're aiming to pilot this program at DeFremery Pool in West Oakland. Through this program, community members will have access to indoor locker rooms, showers, changing rooms, clean clothes, toiletries, and a meal—all completely free of charge. We believe that everyone deserves access to basic hygiene and dignity.
We need your help to make this happen! We're seeking community support, volunteers, and City Council approval to get this program off the ground. Your support can make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. Join us in creating a more compassionate and supportive community.
Children's Holiday Gift Drive
Pretty Heart's Children's Holiday Gift Drive is spreading even more holiday cheer this year!
We're thrilled to be expanding our reach to include two additional centers, bringing joy to a total of 60 amazing kids. Our partnerships with R.E.C.E.S.S. After-School Enrichment Center, Childcare University, F.M. Smith Recreation Center, and Alameda County Court Appointed Special Assistance (ACCASA) are making this possible. Your generosity will help us provide age-appropriate gifts that these children will truly cherish. We're collecting gifts through December 14th, so there's still time to make a difference! Let's make this holiday season unforgettable for these deserving kids. We gratefully accept both gifts and monetary donations to support this heartwarming initiative. Every contribution brings a smile to a child's face.
Winter Warm & Fuzzies Clothing Drive
Pretty Heart's Warm & Fuzzy Clothing Drive is back for its third year, bringing warmth and comfort to our community!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and the dedication of our volunteers, we're gearing up to distribute care packages to over 60 adults across Alameda County. Our volunteers will be spreading holiday cheer from Hayward to Berkeley, delivering essential items like new sweatshirts, beanies, neck warmers, underwear, socks, and blankets. We'll also be providing toiletries, snacks, water, and a warm meal, along with gently used clothing donated by our community. Your support makes this possible! We urgently need clothing donations and monetary contributions to ensure everyone stays warm and cozy this winter. Join us in making a difference in the lives of our neighbors.
Straight As Program
Pretty Heart is launching the Straight A’s Program to celebrate the academic achievements of our amazing middle and high school students!
This exciting initiative aims to recognize and reward students for their hard work and dedication in the classroom. We believe that academic success deserves to be celebrated, and we're committed to fostering a culture of achievement within our community. Through the Straight A’s Program, students can submit their report cards and share their best study tips for a chance to win awesome prizes from the "Pretty Heart Prize Bin." We're calling on local businesses to join us in supporting our students' academic journeys. Your sponsorship and monetary donations can make a real difference in motivating and inspiring these bright young minds. Let's work together to empower our students to reach their full potential!
Quarterly Drawing
Pretty Heart is excited to announce our new "Do-Gooder" Drawing, a quarterly celebration of the everyday heroes in our community!
We believe that positivity and good deeds deserve to be in the spotlight. This program is all about recognizing those who go above and beyond to make a difference, whether it's a random act of kindness or a long-term commitment to serving others. Every three months, we'll be awarding one deserving "Do-Gooder" with a $150 prize! But that's not all - we'll also be showcasing all the amazing deeds on our website, so everyone can see the incredible impact our community members are making. We need your help to make this program a success! We're actively seeking company sponsors and monetary donations to support this initiative and spread the word about the power of positivity. Join us in celebrating the good in our community and inspiring others to pay it forward!
Seeking a Food Bank Partner
Pretty Heart is actively seeking a partnership with an established Alameda County Food Bank partner agency!
While we were unfortunately denied a direct partnership with the Food Bank, we remain committed to our mission of providing meals to those in need. We're excited about the possibility of collaborating with an agency that already has a strong relationship with the Food Bank. This partnership would allow us to leverage their existing infrastructure and resources to efficiently cater and distribute meals to our community. We're eager to find the perfect partner to help us expand our reach and impact. If your organization is interested in exploring a collaboration that combines our passion for service with your Food Bank access, we'd love to hear from you! Together, we can make a real difference in the fight against hunger.