About Us
Our Journey of Love and Purpose.
Learn about Growing Hands for Brighter Futures — our story, mission, values, and the people who make it real.
School Supply Drives
Collecting and distributing bookbags and supplies to local students.
Holiday Toy Drive
Spreading joy to children every holiday season.
Youth Involvement
Encouraging local young people to volunteer and lead.
Acts of Kindness
Uplifting our community, one act at a time.
Our Story
Our Journey of Love and Purpose
When AnnMarie DiPasquale's son Julius started preschool in June 2023, she saw an opportunity to teach him something beyond the ABCs — the importance of giving back. As a former Baltimore City law enforcement officer, AnnMarie had witnessed firsthand how many children were growing up without essentials like backpacks, school supplies, and the support they needed to succeed.
This experience, combined with her desire to raise her children with purpose, inspired her to launch Growing Hands for Brighter Futures — a nonprofit dedicated to helping kids feel seen, supported, and set up for success.
AnnMarie's passion for giving back was also fueled by her work as a wine representative for ONEHOPE, a purpose-driven Napa Valley wine company. Through this role, she helped contribute over $10,000 in donations to nonprofits both locally and nationally — proving that impact can be created in everyday opportunities when purpose leads.
In June 2025, Growing Hands for Brighter Futures officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. AnnMarie's children, Braydon and Julius, are active participants in this mission — learning the value of empathy and service by helping hands-on in every project.
Our History
How we got here
First Family Drives
AnnMarie begins running family backpack and toy drives in the York community — funding and organizing entirely out of pocket with her children Julius and Braydon.
Community Grows
Local businesses and neighbors start showing up. The drives expand in reach and the family realizes this is bigger than a single household effort.
Official Organization
Growing Hands for Brighter Futures is formally organized. The mission becomes structured: school supply drives, holiday toy drives, and year-round acts of kindness.
Penn State Partnership
GH4BF establishes a partnership with Penn State Children's Hospital, ensuring hospitalized children receive toys during the holiday season.
501(c)(3) Status
In June 2025, Growing Hands for Brighter Futures receives official IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit status — opening the door to grants, institutional partners, and broader community support.
Growing Every Year
With 15,000+ supplies delivered, 1,000+ bookbags distributed, and 33+ community partners, GH4BF continues to grow its reach across York County and beyond.
Our Mission
What drives us
“To empower youth and families to serve their communities through acts of kindness like school supply drives and toy collections. Rooted in love, growing in purpose, and giving with heart — we inspire compassion and lasting impact.”
Our Values
What we stand for
Empowerment
We empower individuals and families to take action and make a difference in their community.
Inclusion
We welcome and value diversity, ensuring all voices are heard, respected, and supported.
Kindness
We lead with compassion, recognizing the power of kindness to transform lives and communities.
Community
We are committed to building strong, supportive communities where every child can thrive.
The People
Meet our team.
Founder & President
AnnMarie DiPasquale
I'm a former Baltimore City Police Officer, where I witnessed firsthand how quickly life can change and how deeply families are impacted during life's hardest moments. Those experiences shaped my commitment to service beyond the uniform.
I'm also a OneHope Wine representative — through this role, I've helped generate over $11,000 in donations for nonprofit organizations. Most importantly, I'm a mom to two boys, Julius and Braydon. They are the heart behind everything we do.
What started as a family effort has grown into something bigger. Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support helps turn intention into impact.
Julius
Heart Behind the Mission
Julius is 5 years old and the heart behind where this journey began. From stuffing backpacks with school supplies to picking out toys for drives, he's been involved since day one. He loves soccer, pizza, the beach, and dreams of becoming a chef one day.
Braydon
The Joy Behind the Mission
Braydon is our goofball — full of personality, laughter, and joy. He spent the holiday season helping drop off donation boxes and sort toys. He loves his Nintendo Switch, soccer, and trying all kinds of food. He reminds us that kindness doesn't have to be serious to be impactful.
Celeste Kaough
Secretary
Deeply devoted wife, mom to four incredible girls, and owner of Sparkle Fire Design Studio in Central Market. Through The HEY Project, Celeste brings enrichment programs to York City schools focused on social-emotional learning and empathy. Her belief in AnnMarie's vision and her own commitment to community make her an essential voice for GH4BF.
Kristy Darby
Fundraising Chair
Founder of The Sacred Center of Healing in York, PA, where she helps individuals and families release the physical, chemical, and emotional stress patterns keeping them stuck. Kristy brings a background in education advocacy and fundraising to GH4BF — believing that a child's ability to learn is inseparable from their wellbeing, and that every child deserves the tools to thrive.
Rose DiPasquale
Treasurer
AnnMarie's mom, grandmother of four, and loving wife of 40 years. A Senior Internal Audit Analyst at Safestreets (ADT) for 25 years, Rose's attention to detail and love of a good spreadsheet ensure GH4BF stays financially responsible, organized, and transparent.
The Story Behind the Logo
Their father sat with Julius and Braydon, dipped each hand in paint, and pressed them to paper. Those prints became the GH4BF logo — and the heart of everything.
Their father guides the hand
Julius presses his hand
Together for the first time
The logo is born
Every time you see the GH4BF logo, you're seeing Julius and Braydon's actual hands.
Join us in our mission.
Whether through volunteering, donating, or participating in our programs, your involvement helps us make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families.