"We are always humbled by the generosity of Simone's supporters...and we love how proud Simone is when she gets her fundraising award."– Janine Roeth
Volunteer Profiles - Meet the Roeth-Hooker Family
"We are always humbled by the generosity of Simone's supporters...and we love how proud Simone is when she gets her fundraising award."– Janine Roeth
Simone Hooker is one of the top fundraisers (if not THE top fundraiser) in the Human Race year after year: the 25-year-old and her family raised more than $10,000 this year alone. The family began fundraising 13 years ago for KidQuest, a nonprofit that made an enormous difference in Simone’s life. Ever since they have been hooked by the community spirit and local focus of the Human Race.
This year the family is fundraising for Imagine Supportive Living Services, a nonprofit that makes a big difference in Simone’s life. Imagine’s mission is to empower individuals with developmental disabilities through service and advocacy and helps Simone live independently. The extra funds that Simone raises will help Imagine provide the highest quality care, strengthen their leadership, and fortify their commitment to the people they serve throughout their life. Janine Roeth, Simone’s mother, believes that these funds are especially important now, as Imagine is adapting to ensure that all of their participants have a safe, caring, and supportive environment during this current public health crisis.
The Roeth-Hooker family’s fundraising strategy is surprisingly simple. Every year for the Human Race, they contact many friends, family, and Simone’s supporters through an email outreach that gives a brief family update and calls for donations. They also do simple posts on Facebook. Janine says that they are always “amazed by the response” and “humbled by the generosity of Simone’s supporters.”
Simone and her family enjoy going through the list of donors together and are amazed by the connections: from her schools, our colleges, summers, the community, and family near and far. They also love walking in the Human Race on West Cliff Drive. They meet so many new people who are familiar with Simone and her story, and they reconnect with neighbors and friends who are working to make Santa Cruz a better place.
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