Hands of Hope Foundation

12/23/2025

Dear Pastoral & Ministry Friends- Do you, your church or organization have an inactive non-for-profit that you have kept the state of Illinois registration paid for but are not using or planning to use. Please message me or call me at 217-725-7565. We would like to talk with you about using it to launch a new organization, it makes the process much easier and I can explain the process, which is really easy. Blessings & Merry Christmas- Pastor Troy Benitone Executive Director of the Hands of Hope Foundation.

12/03/2025

Hands of Hope Foundation has been doing some amazing work locally, nationally and internationally since 2005. Today, Tuesday, December 12 is GIVING TUESDAY, and we will be receiving gifts from today until December 31, 2025 with a goal of inviting you to partner with us and help fund 6 vital areas for Hands of Hope Foundation as we get ready for 2026. GIVING TUESDAY is a day that invites people around the globe to donate their hard earned dollars toward organizations and ministries doing work they want to support.

(1) $14,500 for Medical Supplies and Medicines for our Liberian Medical-Surgical Operations.
(2) $16,000 to utilize for updating and improving Med-Surgical & Clinical Facilities, we have built and been developing since 2011.
(3) We also need to raise $8,000 to help with Pastoral Training & Church Development for our 26 Liberian COF Global Pastors & Churches.
(4) We are also working to provide about $8,500 in resources to support our 20 Local Pastors and our Lead Senior Pastors with our Thailand COF Global Churches. Funds will be used to provide support to our Thai lead pastors championing those efforts, and to provide additional on-going pastoral training and evangelism-outreach events with our team in Thailand.
(5) We are also working on a $18,000 project to start a Palm Oil Kernel Projection Facility which will function as Hands of Hope Foundation’s First Agricultural Economic Development Coop Mill Program. The plant will allow us to do work training for Liberians and utilize our pastors and students in the production facilities. The mill will process Palm Kernel Oil. The funds produced by White Oil will give us a way to economically sustain the Medical & Clinical supplies and other needs as our operations continue, while providing a daily income for our pastors and students as they serve the Lord. Paul made tents, they will process Palm Kernels. We are working to build a locally sustainable model to support our Hands of Hope Foundation work in Liberia for years to come.
(6) Finally, we are working to raise $15,000 to cover basic Hands of Hope Foundations General Operations which allows us to us maintain and do our work here and around the world.

Our total goal is $80,000. You can give generally or to a specific goal by adding a note or letting us know. Funds pledged between Tuesday 12/2 GIVING Day and Received by the end of the year 12/31/25.

Please Facebook message me, call or text @ 217-725-7565 or email me at [email protected] if you would like to set-up a time to meet locally or by Zoom if you are out of the area, so I can talk with you further about any of our listed project-giving areas for 2026.

Funds can come to us by check, by securities donation or donated through our online portal at www.hohfoundation.org/donate with the fund: Hands of Hope Giving Day 2025 Campaign. This fund is active from now till 12/31/25. By God’s grace will be able to do great things for the Lord in 2026. Thanks for your prayers and support through the years, and we invite you to join us with a gift to make this mission plan a reality in 2026.

Rev. Dr. Troy D. Benitone,
Executive Director
Hands of Hope Foundation

11/20/2025

Give us a call or email if you want a BBQ Hero Thanksgiving Ham or Turkey! Benefits the Hands of Hope Foundation!

Tender, flavorful, and made to bless the whole table. 🍖

Turkey not your jam? The COF BBQ Heroes have you covered! By arrangement with Behrmann Meats & Processing, we have a special order of custom hams from Illinois farmers. They’re semi-boneless with the shank bone removed. They will weigh 16-18 lbs., be smoked with applewood, & come with our special apple butter glaze to apply during the reheating process.

Ordering options:
-Email your order to [email protected]
-Place order forms (available at the church) in a Joash box
-Call the Community of Faith Church office at (618) 997-2940.

These holiday meats are being sold on a DONATION basis as the Lord so leads you. For reference, area restaurants sell similar size smoked hams for around $75-85. In an effort to make sure our basic costs are covered, we are asking in 2025 that your MINIMUM donation be at least $75 for a ham. All the profits go to our work in “Offering Hope in Christ.”

Comment if you'd like information on Thanksgiving turkeys as well! 🦃

09/23/2025

Please consider meeting this need if it is your power, it will change many, many lives for Christ. Let me know if you have questions Pastor Troy Benitone.

We need help. Our primary Hands of Hope Liberia vehicle has been in operation for almost 20 years and is finished. If you have and would like to donate a vehicle, please email Pastor Troy at [email protected]. We will ship the vehicle to our operations there. Or if you would like to donate money toward one, you can do that here: https://app.easytithe.com/App/Form/ea012659-54e7-4966-b4b3-08fb292de4cf

07/17/2025

Herrin House of Hope’s Family Fun Day is now a weekend of fun for the Family- Hope Fest 2025. Hope Fest is a family-oriented celebration of the Herrin Area and Southern Illinois community’s commitment to helping people in need. We will be celebrating our 14th Family Fun Day Weekend on Saturday, September 6 & Sunday, September 7 on the grounds of Community of Faith Church: Shine (Outside)/Rain (Inside) at 5208 Meadowland Pkwy, Marion, IL. Full information at www.hopefestevent.org

Get ready for an amazing weekend! In 2023, we raised a record $95,900. In 2024, we hit $79,900. Once again in 2025, all proceeds of Hope Fest Weekend benefit the Herrin House of Hope & Hands of Hope Foundation’s operations in Herrin, including the Herrin House of Hope Meal program, The Thrift Store, Food Distribution Ctr., Children’s Summer Feeding Program, AmeriCorps Job Training Program, GED Program in Partnership with J.A. Logan and the future PHASE 2 PROJECT to launch the new Hope Food Distribution Ctr, Hope Community Wellness GAP Clinic & Hope Emergency Shelter.

The new 2-day event will feature on both days and included in the $5 daily/$10 Weekend Admission (5 & Under free): free parking, music from our Hope Fest Main Stage, access to the new 2-day Hope Fest Market (Arts, Crafts, Collectibles & More Stuff Vendors). Up to 100 vendors are being invited to create an incredible shopping experience. Included on both days is the expanded Children’s Fun Zone with many added inflatables, booths and activities for the kids. As usual, Hope Fest will have their signature silent auction and cake walk going on, which is always a blast and raises great funds for our work. Our Silent Auction will be going on, and you can check out Sponsors Row along with many other surprises. Don’t forget both days will include some great food available in the Hope Fest Food Court with multiple options to enjoy from BBQ Heroes- Pork, Brisket & Wings, The Grill- Burgers, Brats & Dogs, Loaded- Fries, Nachos with great toppings, Mexican Food from Sergio’s, The Pizza Zone- featuring pies from our local restaurants, Fair Food- Funnel Cakes & Corn Dogs, The Shaker- Lemon & Orange Shakeups, The Ice Cream Box, Crown Brew Coffee & The Soda/H20 Station along with some other special food vendors.

These items are also on the grounds and will require additional cost or a special event ticket which you can get onsite. Come experience our amazing new TETHERED BALLOON RIDES and our expanded PONY RIDES & PETTING ZONE.

We also have 2 featured events taking place. On the expanded Hope Fest Saturday 9/6, we will kick the day off with our 2nd Annual Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run. Information and Pre-Registration links can be found at hopefestevent.org and guarantee you an event shirt & swag bag. You can also register onsite day of the race from 9-9:45a. Pre-Race Briefing will be held at 9:45a. The Run/Walk & Kid’s Fun Run will begin at 10:00a with staggered times beginning with the 5K Run (10a), 5K Walk (10:01a) and the ½ Mile Kid’s Fun Run (10:15a). There are many awards available in each category based on age/sex for our Run & Walk. There are special awards for the Kid’s as well, including the Finisher’s Award for every Kid that finishes. Registration for the 5K Walk/Run is $25 and $15 for the Kid’ Fun Run. Pre-Registration guarantees a race day shirt, those registering on day of will receive shirts based on availability. All registrants will receive a free Hope Fest Saturday Event Admission Wristband.

On Classic Family Fun Day, Sunday 9/7, we will hold our 5th Annual Hope Fest Auto Show & new Biker Zone. The Auto/Bike show entertainment zone will be hosted again by John Miliani’s Big Elvis Rock & Roll Show. Last year hundreds came out and voted for the favorite in show. Entry fee is $10, which includes your Sunday Event Admission Wrist Band. The Auto/Bike show grounds open at 12:00p. Judging will take place around 3:30p and awards will be announced from our main stage at 5:00p. We will have awards our featured People’s Choice Awards along with multiple special categories for autos and bikers, including a Junior Cruiser award for a special “UNDER 16” class. Proceeds of the auto/biker show all benefit the Herrin House of Hope’s 13th Year of Operation. If you have a show car or great bike, bring them out for a fun and relaxing day on the ground. Bring the family, kids and grandkids, along with some lawn chairs and enjoy all the main stage music, the Hope Fest Market, the day’s events & activities and our amazing Tethered Balloon Rides, Children Fun Zone, Pony Rides & Petting Zone and so much more on the grounds.

People can come and support activities on the grounds where proceeds support the House of Hope and/or make donations through our on-line portals. Sunday will feature our “Classic Family Funday” where we will begin at 12:30p with celebration of our 13th Year of Operation and get ready to begin our 14th year on Monday, September 8. Our opening ceremony includes the National Anthem, presentation of the colors and an opening prayer, and welcome by Mayor Steve Frattini and other local officials, then we will open up the main stage for a great variety of music led by our local churches, worship pastors & teams all throughout the afternoon. The Hope Fest Market, Hope Fest Food Court, Tethered Balloon Rides, Children’s Fun Zone, Pony Rides & Petting Zone, 5th Auto Show & Biker Zone and Silent Auction and so much more will continue till 6pm.

Join us for a weekend of family fun and hope in Southern Illinois! (Herrin-Marion Area)

07/17/2025

Herrin House of Hope’s Family Fun Day is now a weekend of fun for the Family- Hope Fest 2025. Hope Fest is a family-oriented celebration of the Herrin Area and Southern Illinois community’s commitment to helping people in need. We will be celebrating our 14th Family Fun Day Weekend on Saturday, September 6 & Sunday, September 7 on the grounds of Community of Faith Church: Shine (Outside)/Rain (Inside) at 5208 Meadowland Pkwy, Marion, IL. Full information at www.hopefestevent.org

Get ready for an amazing weekend! In 2023, we raised a record $95,900. In 2024, we hit $79,900. Once again in 2025, all proceeds of Hope Fest Weekend benefit the Herrin House of Hope & Hands of Hope Foundation’s operations in Herrin, including the Herrin House of Hope Meal program, The Thrift Store, Food Distribution Ctr., Children’s Summer Feeding Program, AmeriCorps Job Training Program, GED Program in Partnership with J.A. Logan and the future PHASE 2 PROJECT to launch the new Hope Food Distribution Ctr, Hope Community Wellness GAP Clinic & Hope Emergency Shelter.

The new 2-day event will feature on both days and included in the $5 daily/$10 Weekend Admission (5 & Under free): free parking, music from our Hope Fest Main Stage, access to the new 2-day Hope Fest Market (Arts, Crafts, Collectibles & More Stuff Vendors). Up to 100 vendors are being invited to create an incredible shopping experience. Included on both days is the expanded Children’s Fun Zone with many added inflatables, booths and activities for the kids. As usual, Hope Fest will have their signature silent auction and cake walk going on, which is always a blast and raises great funds for our work. Our Silent Auction will be going on, and you can check out Sponsors Row along with many other surprises. Don’t forget both days will include some great food available in the Hope Fest Food Court with multiple options to enjoy from BBQ Heroes- Pork, Brisket & Wings, The Grill- Burgers, Brats & Dogs, Loaded- Fries, Nachos with great toppings, Mexican Food from Sergio’s, The Pizza Zone- featuring pies from our local restaurants, Fair Food- Funnel Cakes & Corn Dogs, The Shaker- Lemon & Orange Shakeups, The Ice Cream Box, Crown Brew Coffee & The Soda/H20 Station along with some other special food vendors.

These items are also on the grounds and will require additional cost or a special event ticket which you can get onsite. Come experience our amazing new TETHERED BALLOON RIDES and our expanded PONY RIDES & PETTING ZONE.

We also have 2 featured events taking place. On the expanded Hope Fest Saturday 9/6, we will kick the day off with our 2nd Annual Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run. Information and Pre-Registration links can be found at hopefestevent.org and guarantee you an event shirt & swag bag. You can also register onsite day of the race from 9-9:45a. Pre-Race Briefing will be held at 9:45a. The Run/Walk & Kid’s Fun Run will begin at 10:00a with staggered times beginning with the 5K Run (10a), 5K Walk (10:01a) and the ½ Mile Kid’s Fun Run (10:15a). There are many awards available in each category based on age/sex for our Run & Walk. There are special awards for the Kid’s as well, including the Finisher’s Award for every Kid that finishes. Registration for the 5K Walk/Run is $25 and $15 for the Kid’ Fun Run. Pre-Registration guarantees a race day shirt, those registering on day of will receive shirts based on availability. All registrants will receive a free Hope Fest Saturday Event Admission Wristband.

On Classic Family Fun Day, Sunday 9/7, we will hold our 5th Annual Hope Fest Auto Show & new Biker Zone. The Auto/Bike show entertainment zone will be hosted again by John Miliani’s Big Elvis Rock & Roll Show. Last year hundreds came out and voted for the favorite in show. Entry fee is $10, which includes your Sunday Event Admission Wrist Band. The Auto/Bike show grounds open at 12:00p. Judging will take place around 3:30p and awards will be announced from our main stage at 5:00p. We will have awards our featured People’s Choice Awards along with multiple special categories for autos and bikers, including a Junior Cruiser award for a special “UNDER 16” class. Proceeds of the auto/biker show all benefit the Herrin House of Hope’s 13th Year of Operation. If you have a show car or great bike, bring them out for a fun and relaxing day on the ground. Bring the family, kids and grandkids, along with some lawn chairs and enjoy all the main stage music, the Hope Fest Market, the day’s events & activities and our amazing Tethered Balloon Rides, Children Fun Zone, Pony Rides & Petting Zone and so much more on the grounds.

People can come and support activities on the grounds where proceeds support the House of Hope and/or make donations through our on-line portals. Sunday will feature our “Classic Family Funday” where we will begin at 12:30p with celebration of our 13th Year of Operation and get ready to begin our 14th year on Monday, September 8. Our opening ceremony includes the National Anthem, presentation of the colors and an opening prayer, and welcome by Mayor Steve Frattini and other local officials, then we will open up the main stage for a great variety of music led by our local churches, worship pastors & teams all throughout the afternoon. The Hope Fest Market, Hope Fest Food Court, Tethered Balloon Rides, Children’s Fun Zone, Pony Rides & Petting Zone, 5th Auto Show & Biker Zone and Silent Auction and so much more will continue till 6pm.

07/17/2025

2nd Annual Hope Fest 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run. Join us Saturday Morning for our 5K Walk/Run and Kid's Fun Run. There are many awards available in each category based on age/sex for our Run & Walk. There are special awards for the Kid’s as well, including the Finisher’s Award for every Kid that finishes.

Registration for the 5K Walk/Run is $25 and $15 for the Kid’ Fun Run. Pre-Registration guarantees a race day shirt, those registering on day of will receive shirts based on availability. All registrants will receive a free Hope Fest Saturday Event Admission Wristband.

All proceeds benefit the Herrin House of Hope & Hands of Hope Foundation’s Operations in Herrin, including our Meal program, Thrift Store, Food Distribution Ctr., Children’s Summer Feeding Program, AmeriCorps Job Training Program, GED Program in Partnership with J.A. Logan and our future Phase 2 plans to launch the new Hope Food Distribution Ctr, Hope Community Wellness GAP Clinic & Hope Emergency Shelter.

07/17/2025

5th Annual Hope Fest Auto Show & Biker Zone

On Classic Family Fun Day, Sunday 9/7, we will hold our 5th Annual Hope Fest Auto Show & new Biker Zone.

The Auto/Bike show entertainment zone will be hosted again by John Miliani’s Big Elvis Rock & Roll Show.

Last year hundreds came out and voted for the favorite in show.
Entry fee is $10, which includes your Sunday Event Admission Wrist Band.

The Auto/Bike show grounds open at 12:00p. Judging will take place around 3:30p and awards will be announced from our main stage at 5:00p.

We will have awards our featured People’s Choice Awards along with multiple special categories for autos and bikers, including a Junior Cruiser award for a special “UNDER 16” class. Proceeds of the auto/biker show all benefit the Herrin House of Hope’s 13th Year of Operation.

If you have a show car or great bike, bring them out for a fun and relaxing day on the ground.

Bring the family, kids and grandkids, along with some lawn chairs and enjoy all the main stage music, the Hope Fest Market, the day’s events & activities and our amazing Tethered Balloon Rides, Children Fun Zone, Pony Rides & Petting Zone and so much more on the grounds.

07/17/2025

Be one of the 100 Vendors invited to Hope Fest! Hope Fest Market Vendor/Food Vendor Information, Online Registration Links & Application/Contract PDF

Hope Fest Market a part of the Hope Fest 2025 Weekend is committed to creating a diverse Market with a wide variety of quality products including Arts, Crafts, Collectibles and more stuff, including upcycled & refurbished items, specialty products, Handmade crafts or craft-like items, jewelry, boutique clothing or accessories, unique décor, and artistic items are encouraged, along with Information & Direct Sales type booths. We also invite Hope Fest Market FOOD Vendors to a place to have an exclusive on certain Food Entrées, Specialty Beverages or other special food items sales. Redundancy will be allowed for certain basic side items and some basic beverages. Other food items such as baked good, pre-packaged foods, snacks and other treats will be available onsite.

We have rates for Vendors both Commercial & Non-for-Profit Organizations for one space and you can add additional space for 1/2 the base price for each additional slot. See the Vendor & Food Vendor Application & Contractual Agreement for details and requirements.

07/17/2025

We invite you as a business, Corp., Organization or individual to be a sponsor by taking advantage of one of our Hope Fest Sponsorship Plans. Proceeds Benefit our operations in Herrin, including our Meal program, Thrift Store, Food Distribution Ctr., Children’s Summer Feeding Program, AmeriCorps Job Training Program, GED Program in Partnership with J.A. Logan and our future Phase 2 plans to launch the new Hope Food Distribution Ctr, Hope Community Wellness GAP Clinic & Hope Emergency Shelter.

05/17/2025

FRIENDS & MY BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST- Pastor Troy here and I need you to get up in the morning, put on some good work shoes and clothes, get your gloves on and bring your family, your crew out and help us remove the concrete rubble out of the new Herrin House of Hope Phase 2 building. If you and your crew can help us tomorrow morning at the HERRIN HOUSE OF HOPE from 7:30a-12:30 it will be GREATLY APPRECIATED. Coffee & Donuts & Lunch will be served at the End included. Again, Bring good shoes and help us clear the rubble. BRING A WHEEL BARROW IF YOU HAVE ONE AVAILABLE.