By Kim Hilsenbeck

Guests at Saturday’s Hope & Love 4 Kids gala, many wearing Phantom of the Opera attire as requested on the invitation, helped raise $20,000 for the nonprofit’s work.

Founder Mia Hendricks said that money allows Hope & Love to continue providing Hays County children with school supplies, Christmas gifts, weekend food packs, Thanksgiving meals and even clothing. She said the organization also offers three different college scholarships for interns.

“The deadline to apply is March 31,” Hendricks said.

The nonprofit recently moved into its first physical space in downtown Kyle.

Students on Medicaid or CHIP students automatically qualify for services. Hendricks said the organization also has a great relationship with Hays CISD, specifically Angie Mendez, which is how other students come to Hope & Love.

Hendricks and assistant board director Jennifer Carson said the organization could use more volunteers.

“We are always in need of volunteers,” Hendricks said.

Carson added, “We have no more than five regular volunteers, though more people from the community come out during the year for specific opportunities.”

Five Texas State University juniors in the social work program were at the event because they will be working on a project with Hope & Love this semester.

Mary Balsebidiua, Mariana Zamora, Angela Martinez, Anali Marquez and Jason Delgado will help Hope & Love put together a workshop on empowerment.

How did they hear about Hope & Love?

“My sister was a scholarship winner last year,” Zamora said.

Middle school girls in Hays County are the target for the workshop.

“It will teach them about etiquette, employment, healthy relationships and bullying,” she said. 

Zamora said the empowerment conference will take place later this spring.