As our nation celebrated July Fourth this month, we look back with thankfulness to those who fought and died to gain our independence, and to keep us free. Carolyn Litton, Senior Loan Officer at First Centennial Mortgage, has been motivated to take action. She created an organization to show gratitude and compassion to veterans and others who experience homelessness.
Hearts for Hope is a grass roots charity designed to spread compassion. They deliver care packs to the homeless in the Chicago area. What started as one trip to Chicago to deliver 50 baggies filled with a warm pair of socks, gloves, snacks, and an encouraging note, turned into a 501c3 nonprofit charity in January of 2019.
Carolyn shared, “I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart to help the homeless. It was hard for me to just walk by someone on the street and not do anything. I think I partly feel this way because for over 20 years I’ve been able to assist people with getting into homes and experienced how rewarding that is. And although I can’t get everyone into a home, I can do something.”
Heart for Hope Today
Today, Hearts for Hope delivers drawstring bags with the same notes and content as when they started the organization. To date, over 4,000 bags have been distributed to people in the Chicagoland area.
Hearts for Hope delivers three times per year to a variety of homeless shelters and other organizations that aid the homeless. This includes agencies that assist homeless veterans. The Hearts for Hope teams go out on the street and hand the care packs directly to the homeless. Their goal is to give them a smile of compassion and hope. Visit their website for more information: http://www.hearts-for-hope.com/