For five year old Zoey and her family, being able to access the Gift of Hope Fund has meant a great deal to them.

Zoey’s disability has led to severe delays in her speech and motor skills.  Because of this she spends many hours in therapy each week.  As part of her physical therapy, she participates in aqua therapy to gain muscle strength and motion.  Although very beneficial to her, she struggled to complete her sessions because of her inability to maintain her body heat.  “I tried forever to get help with purchasing a wetsuit for her, but it wasn’t until we started getting services through Hope that it happened,” remarks Connie, Zoey’s mom.

Even though a wetsuit is a fairly inexpensive piece of equipment, it wasn’t something the family could afford.  Fortunately Hope is able to offer assistance to families through the Gift of Hope Fund which provides help with securing unfunded items that are beneficial to the individual or family. Hope's ability to offer this assistance is because of the generosity of its donors.

“Something as little as this has made a huge difference,” says Connie. With the wetsuit Zoey is able to maintain her body heat, which in turn has increased the amount of aqua therapy she is receiving.  In fact, her progress has been so significant, she’s actually gaining weight and growing.  Needless to say, another wetsuit is on the way…

If you’d like to make an immediate impact on the lives of those who choose Hope’s supports, you can make an outright gift of cash to the agency.  Gifts can be made in honor of a loved one or to a variety of funds and/or a specific region.  You can also become a monthly giver if you’d like to make a long-term commitment with manageable payments.  You can donate by mail, online, or by phone.  Funds are outlined on the Donate Today page.

Throughout the year Hope will accept certain gifts of in-kind to supplement the needs of individuals receiving services, programs and special events.  Gifts of in-kind are typically products or merchandise that the agency can use for a specific purpose at the time of the donation or solicitation.  We request that before dropping off a gift of in-kind, that you contact the Public Relations and Resource Development office at developmentoffice@hopealaska.org or 907-564-7462 to confirm that Hope can honor your generosity and use the item in the manner in which it was intended.

If you’d like to help secure the future of Hope, a gift to the Hope Endowment Fund or through a planned gift is the way to go.  Donors can be a part of the endowment fund by making outright contributions of cash, appreciated securities, stock and/or real estate, tangible personal property, and more.  Donors can also participate by making a deferred gift, which can include a bequest through a will, annuities and trusts, retirement plans and life insurance plans.  Planned gifts can be designated toward the endowment fund or other areas of support for the agency.  Please contact the Public Relations and Resource Development office at developmentoffice@hopealaska.org or call 907-564-7462.