P. O. Box 427
Centre Hall, PA  16828
pennsvalleyhopefund@gmail.com

Mission

MISSION

The HOPE Fund is a Christian based, non-denominational, non-profit organization dedicated to helping other people everyday.

1. The purpose of the HOPE fund is to financially assist residents of the Penns Valley Area School District with a medical crisis or a personal disaster

2. The HOPE Fund started in response to the caring and generous support of people in the valley

3. Tragedies unfortunately happen everyday. The HOPE Fund wants to have contingency funds available so we can act swiftly when these situations arise.

We are a 100% volunteer run 501c3 Corporation.  With the administrative, fundraising, customer service and event related activities within a year's time, it takes over 240 volunteers to make the HOPE Fund run efficiently.  ALL of the money that we raise STAYS in Penns Valley to help those in need.  It is the belief of THE HOPE FUND that people are likely to recover faster when not faced with financial burden.  We have assisted stroke victims, cancer patients, heart attack victims, accident victims and those displaced by house fires.  In sum, we have distributed almost $900,000 since August, 2008 to our Penns Valley neighbors in need.  Some more specific examples of residents we have helped are noted below. 

STORIES OF HOPE

An 87 year old woman loved attending church.  She was not only losing her sight but also her hearing.  She no longer could go to church since she heard nothing.   HOPE bought her hearing aides!  She said, "It is a miracle" when she attended church again!

A 55 year old gentleman was in the hospital for his third back surgery.  The HOPE Fund team was able to interview him from the hospital after his surgery.  Because his job requires him to lift a considerable amount of weight, he was unable to work for several months.  The HOPE Fund was able to pay four months of rent so he could focus on healing.  

In 2017, a married couple received devastating news.  The husband was diagnosed with cancer.  The medical expenses started piling up.  The family had fallen behind on the heating bill.  The HOPE Fund provided a gas card, filled their propane tank, and paid numerous medical bills.  The husband eventually lost his battle with cancer.  The grieving widow suffered another tragedy and lost her child!  She has been working two jobs to stay ahead of her living expenses.  The HOPE Fund has stood ready to aid her throughout the years.  Even today, if she has a monetary issue with heating, she simply calls the HOPE Fund and we are there to help this working woman with her bills!

A beautiful young lady in our valley is fighting a type of cancer that causes her daily pain.  Despite her pain, she continues to work and help others in need.  HOPE has provided her with funds for transportation plus help with co-pays.  This case will be an on-going commitment for HOPE as her treatment will continue for some time.  HOPE will continue to be there for her every step of the way.  Please pray that these treatments will work so she can live pain free.  

HOPE received an application from a 36 year old mother of 3 who had complications as a result of a planned surgery.  Three additional surgeries were needed as a result of this complication.  Although she utilized short-term disability insurance, she lost nearly three months of work.  The HOPE Fund provided the family with four months rent to free their income to apply to other bills. 

A talented young man in our valley was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Since his parents were divorced, his mother spent at least two months in a hospital with her child while he was being treated.  HOPE provided three months rent plus a gas card.  HOPE is prepared to stay with this family as long as necessary.  Please say a prayer for this young man for he has so much to give this world!

HOPE received an application from a 64 year old woman who had been bitten by a mosquito.  As a result of the bite, this woman suffered a case of West Nile virus.  She was admitted to Geisinger Medical Center seriously ill.  She had to be placed on a ventilator and in a coma.  In addition, she became legally blind.  She also suffers from lupus and is an insulin dependent diabetic.  With her health issues, she found it difficult to use a bath tub.  Her request from HOPE was for the installation of a shower.  HOPE contacted Hosterman and Stover in Millheim on her behalf.  Conversations with them resulted in their installation of a shower which met her needs.  HOPE paid for the work done by this contractor.  

A divorced woman suffered an auto accident resulting loss of income during her recovery.  HOPE paid short term rent and her automobile payment and insurance so she could focus on getting well. HOPE also provided her with a food card at a local grocery story and gas cards to help with her transportation for her doctor visits. 

A woman diagnosed with breast cancer could not work during her treatments.  She has a special needs child.  HOPE provided short term help with her mortgage and water and sewer expenses. 

A young woman was disabled in an accident during her nursing career.  Her social security disability was mistakenly cut off.  HOPE provided help on a short term basis with her utility bills, car insurance, food and gas until her SSI was restored. 

A divorced woman was injured in a car accident.  She was unable to work and could not receive unemployment benefits.  Her relatives helped her until the burden became too great for them.  HOPE helped her on a short term basis with rent, car payment, car insurance, and provided her with grocery and gas cards to get to her doctor’s appointments.   

A local mother was dealing with a 14 year old child who has suffered strokes since she was seven.   The mother was financially challenged with medical costs in addition to living expenses.  She needed to replace her car so she had a vehicle to reach the only doctor who was willing to treat her child.  This doctor was located in Boston so a vehicle was extremely important in this case.   HOPE helped her to secure a vehicle and paid for car insurance, food and gas cards.   Her daughter made dramatic improvements due to the treatment she received in Boston and was able to play soccer for the first time in her life.   

A local husband and wife faced hardship.  The husband was currently disabled and the wife who had recently fallen ill was no longer able to work.  She was in the process of applying for disability.  HOPE provided them with wood pellets for the winter, paid their water bill on a short term basis, and provided them with food and gas cards.   

The wife of a young couple with two small children lost her job due to an illness.   HOPE provided short term help with car payments, fuel and mortgage payments until she could get back on her feet and return to work.   

A local resident struggles with chronic edema of her legs. Her medical condition became so severe that she had difficulty walking. The frequent trips to the specialist became a financial burden for the family. The HOPE Fund made it possible for her to receive needed therapy in State College. Today she is doing well and is grateful for the HOPE Fund who gave her the opportunity to receive medical care.

A local resident has been dealing with health issues for five years. Her condition has progressed to the point where she can no longer work. The surgery she needs is not covered by insurance. The loss of income has had a dramatic impact on household finances. Because of the swift action of the HOPE Fund the family did not need to worry about bills during these trying times.

A rare lung condition left an area woman unable to work, facing multiple surgeries and an extended hospital stay.  Her income was vital to the financial stability of the family.  The HOPE Fund stepped in and helped ease the financial burden that the family faced enabling them to focus their energy on her rehabilitation.

Parents of three children in Aaronsburg heard news that no parent should ever have to hear.  At five years of age, their oldest child was diagnosed with medilieoelastroma, a type of cancer of the brain.  The HOPE Fund graciously helped them with mortgage payments, insurance payments, gas and food cards, child care and many prayers which eased their financial burden and allowed them to focus on managing their child's medical care and condition.