That is why Community Helping Hands welcomed people into their “living room” Tuesday with an online event that focused on the services the agency provides local residents. Katie Castro, Community Helping Hands board chairwoman, said the online event was a way for people to see a “snapshot” of how Community Helping Hands assists area residents to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

“We’re welcoming people into our living room,” Castro said as she showed off the chairs, end tables and potted plant that was setup in the organization’s thrift store. “We’re also giving away gift baskets from local vendors like Crown Street Roasting Company.”

The first guest Community Helping Hands welcomed to their living room was Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, who joined the Rev. Chloe Smith for an online event about the importance of donating money, time or goods during the holidays, especially this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We need organizations like Community Helping Hands and other nonprofits more than ever,” he said. “It’s what this year is about.”

Left, Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist joins Community Helping Hands staff and volunteers during their social media event during Giving Tuesday. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

Sundquist said if people have an extra scarf, gloves, coat or any secondhand clothing item that they can donate it to Community Helping Hands to be sold in their thrift store. He said, despite the pandemic, more people in the city are volunteering, getting engaged in community affairs and making donations.

“We’ve seen people give more than ever before,” he said. “It’s been a strange, but incredible year.”

Castro said during lunch hour from noon to 1 p.m. if Community Helping Hands received $1,000 in donations the executive director, Shawn Whitner, would receive a pie in the face from each of the four staff members. Whitner said, prior to potentially being hit by four whipped cream pies, the online event is all in good fun and a way to draw people to Community Helping Hands’ social media platforms.

“We want to show what we do here,” he said.

Community Helping Hands was established in 2001 and is located within the Gateway Center, the former Chautauqua Hardware factory building that has been repurposed to house several organizations that provide help to those in need. Community Helping Hands provides emergency assistance to local families in need of clothing, household items and furniture. The nonprofit organization also operates a youth/family center on the second floor of the Gateway Center.

Whitner said all are welcome to use their services or volunteer at the organization. The thrift store and showrooms at the organization are open to the public. A person who cannot afford essential items may get a referral from an organization or church, make an appointment, and Community Helping Hands will issue them a voucher to use in the store, depending on the availability of items.

Giving Tuesday is a worldwide celebration of generosity that people from all across the globe participate in by giving their voice, time, money, goods and advocacy to support communities and causes.