LEND(ing) A HAND

Al Roker's Lend a Hand charity organization has entered its ninth consecutive year. Every year Al Roker travels around the country and helps small charities that work toward improving conditions in their communities. Starting last Monday June, 21 Lend a Hand began its charitable trek across the country. The organization prides itself on giving back to communities that are in need, and this year TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchises in Sacramento, Cal., Des Moines, Iowa, and Memphis, Tenn. were able to be a part of this great charity and help give back to their communities.

San Francisco

On day one of Lend a Hand Al Roker visited San Francisco to help out Real Options for City Kids (ROCK).  ROCK is a San Francisco-based charity dedicated to nurturing the healthy development of children. They are committed to providing active learning opportunities to those who might not otherwise have access to such programs. ROCK aims to promote the positive development and long-term success of the youth that it serves through a combination of in-school and after school learning enrichment, sports and fitness, leadership training and outdoor adventure opportunities. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® in San Francisco to help raise money and collect supplies for this charitable organization.

Des Moines

On day three of Lend a Hand Al Roker visited Des Moines to supply Iowa Homeless Youth Centers (IHYC) with money and supplies to aid the center in providing for the area's homeless youth. The IHYC works to eliminate homelessness among children, youth and young mothers in Polk County. With citizen support and assistance, IHYC helps homeless individuals and families live independently and attain self-sufficiency. The TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchise in Des Moines was on location to help Lend A Hand distribute the donations of food, clothes, and much more.

Memphis

Day four of Lend a Hand found Al Roker in Memphis to help out the New Ballet School located in Memphis. The New Ballet School brings a diverse population of students together by providing a professional standard of training, regardless of the ability to pay. New Ballet Ensemble is the professional company of performers who appear on the main stage and in our schools where students are engaged, educated and recruited for scholarships in the New Ballet School. Lend a Hand also made a stop in Nashville, which was recently hit by a devastating flood, to help rebuild the communities that have been ravaged by the flood with the help of Hands on Nashville (HON). Since 1991, HON has worked each day to match volunteers with community need. In 2009, HON connected 38,969 volunteers to service opportunities in over 300 nonprofits, government agencies, and schools. In response to the flooding disaster in Tennessee, Hands On Nashville's impact has become far greater. Between May 2 and today, HON has placed over 15,000 volunteers in recovery service, making a $1.3 million economic impact through human capital. The Memphis location of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® was there to help both cities. The franchise helped collect food, clothes, hardware supplies, among many other donations to aid both cities.

Lend a Hand

Thanks to TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® and many other donors Lend a Hand was able to raise more than $4 million, making this year the most sucessful year in Lend a Hand's nine year history.