A Message from Lori’s Hands Executive Director Zach Barton
2024 was a year of growth and impact for Lori’s Hands, as we expanded our reach, deepened community partnerships, and transformed lives through service and connection. Read along as Executive Director Zach Barton reflects on the progress, milestones, and meaningful moments that shaped our work in 2024.
From Our Students and Clients
Our Impact
320
Adults with chronic illness received regular visits from Lori’s Hands student volunteers.
699
Student and community volunteers gained valuable experience through service-learning, community clinical rotations, internships, pre-med and pre-Physician’s Assistant contact hours, and involvement in Lori’s Hands registered student organizations.
9680
Hours volunteered to strengthen networks of support for people with chronic illness.
Academic Partners
Lori’s Hands creates meaningful opportunities for college students, equipping them with the training and skills they need to succeed in their future careers. Our volunteers come to us through both formal academic partnerships and individuals seeking to make a difference in their communities. These experiences benefit the students and enrich the lives of the individuals and families they serve.
Since our founding by undergraduate students as a registered student organization at the University of Delaware in 2009, we have grown our footprint and expanded our programs to better serve the communities that welcome us. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support of the many colleges, universities, professors, and administrators who partner with us, embrace our mission, and champion our programs’ invaluable impact on students’ education, personal growth, and ability to foster empathy and resilience.
Together, we continue to shape a generation of compassionate healthcare professionals, leaders, and community advocates.
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Donors and Community Partners
At Lori’s Hands, we are profoundly grateful for the generosity and support of our donors and community partners. Each contribution, whether large or small, is crucial in advancing our mission to connect clients and students through meaningful service learning and care. Your support sustains our programs, drives our growth, and expands our reach.
We are proud to spotlight some of our major funders from this past year—whose remarkable contributions have significantly furthered our mission. We deeply value their trust and partnership as we continue to make a difference together.
2024 Summer Benefit Series
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The 2024 Summer Benefit Series was a powerful testament to the generosity and dedication of our supporters. Through a series of fundraising events in DE, MD, and MI, our community came together to raise an incredible $22,261, surpassing our initial goal of $20,000.
Thanks to The Foxwynd Foundation’s generous matching gift, every dollar was doubled—bringing our total impact to more than $44,000 in support of Lori’s Hands’ mission.
As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the kindness of our donors, sponsors, and volunteers to sustain our work. Your contributions ensure that Lori’s Hands clients continue receiving essential in-home support and that the next generation of healthcare leaders gains firsthand experience in compassionate, community-centered care.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this year’s Summer Benefit Series a success—our sponsors, event hosts, volunteers, and each of you who contributed. Your support makes a lasting difference in the lives of our students and clients, and together, we are building stronger, healthier communities.
Finances
Our Commitment to Transparency
At Lori’s Hands, we believe in transparency and openness in everything we do. As a nonprofit, we are dedicated to being the best stewards of the donations and gifts entrusted to us. A key part of this responsibility is ensuring our IRS Form 990 is available for public viewing. This form provides a detailed look at how we manage our resources to ensure we stay aligned with our mission and maximize our impact. We invite you to explore and learn more.
Edward Richards Memorial Scholarship
In 2024, we proudly honored the legacy of Edward Richards, a beloved former Lori’s Hands client, by awarding three $1,000 scholarships to exceptional student volunteers who embody his spirit of service and compassion.
Through a competitive application process, a panel of Lori’s Hands stakeholders thoughtfully selected one student from each chapter who demonstrated outstanding dedication to their clients and a deep commitment to building meaningful connections.
This year’s recipients impacted the lives of the clients they served and enriched their own understanding of empathy, resilience, and community. Below is a brief bio of each student and a video highlighting their experiences and the impact of their service.
Akhil Paleru
University of Michigan
Metro Detroit, MI
Akhil Paleru is a Public Health student at the University of Michigan and a dedicated student volunteer in our Metro Detroit chapter. Akhil’s involvement with Lori’s Hands, especially his work with his client Ann, has been very impactful. He has gained valuable insights into chronic illness and a deeper understanding of the medical field. Akhil’s dedication to service has strengthened his connection to his community and deepened his passion for pursuing a career in healthcare.
Sai Chandan Reddy
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Sai Chandan Reddy is a first-year medical student at Johns Hopkins University and a remarkable student volunteer from our Baltimore chapter. Sai’s journey with his client, James, has been a powerful lesson in persistence, empathy, and courage at a pivotal moment in Sai’s life as he transitions from student to professional in the medical field. His dedication to Lori’s Hands and the impact he’s made on those around him make him a deserving recipient of our Baltimore scholarship.
Zoe Lehtonen
University of Delaware
Newark, DE
Zoe Lehtonen is a Medical Diagnostics student at the University of Delaware and a devoted student volunteer in our Newark, DE chapter. Zoe’s unwavering commitment, kindness, and hard work have earned her the Lori’s Hands scholarship for Newark. Her bond with her client, Regina, has been a source of inspiration and growth. Zoe also serves as a Lori’s Hands Registered Student Organization leader, helping to coordinate volunteer efforts and inspire her peers to get involved.
Who We Are
Board of Directors
Sarah
LaFave
Board Chair, Co-Founder
Liz
Bonomo
Board Secretary, Co-Founder
Richard A.
Hynes
Board Treasurer
Christine
Gilmore
Board Member
Keith
Chan
Board Member
Kimberly
Hurme
Board Member
Mike
Smith
Board Member
Patrick
Gray
Board Member
Staff
Our Mission
Lori’s Hands builds mutually beneficial partnerships between community members with chronic illness and college students, fostering empathy, connection, and resilience. Students provide practical assistance to support community members’ independence at home, and community members share their health and life experiences to support students’ learning.
Our Vision
Lori’s Hands envisions a more equitable world in which every person can age with dignity and interconnection in their community and in which every person’s strengths are appreciated and shared.
Contact
We strive for accuracy in every detail of this report, but should you find an error—please accept our apologies. We are committed to ensuring all information is correct and will promptly address any discrepancies.
Please notify contact@lorishands.org of any corrections, and we will update our records accordingly.
