More than $3,500 worth of toiletries, blankets, laundry essentials, and more distributed to over 80 senior citizens
What began in 2024 as a one-time leadership project by the Huntsville Leadership Institute (HLI) Class 42 has grown into a lasting tradition, now continued by Hello Huntsville.
This February, the second annual “Share the Love” donation drive provided over $3,500 worth of essential items to senior citizens at two Huntsville communities—Parkview Place Apartments and the Senior Villages of Huntsville.
Unlike traditional donation efforts, items were not pre-assigned or packaged. Instead, residents were invited to browse through a carefully organized selection of donated items, choosing exactly what they needed most.
Available items included toiletries, hygiene products, adult diapers, dish soap, laundry detergent, socks, blankets, writing pads, pens, and other practical household necessities. Volunteers sorted and arranged donations across community rooms, turning the spaces into welcoming, mini “shops” where seniors could select what best met their needs.
“The goal was to create a respectful, uplifting environment where every resident could make their own choices,” said Rob Hipp, founder of Hello Huntsville and a graduate of HLI Class 42. “This wasn’t just about giving—it was about honoring the dignity of each person.”
More than 80 senior residents participated in the shopping-style experience, many leaving with smiles, hugs, and heartfelt words of appreciation.
“You could feel the gratitude in the room,” Hipp said. “So many people told us they felt seen and cared for. That’s the heartbeat of this project.”
Hipp, along with fellow Class 42 member Liz Speer, helped oversee the sorting and delivery process. Classmate Teresa Ringo also played a key role during the drive-thru donation earlier in the month, helping coordinate procurement of many of the donated items.
“We had great leaders in that class,” Hipp said. “I’m so thankful for what our class started. I wanted to continue the tradition in a way that honors that original spirit and grows it year after year.”
Volunteers spent hours organizing and displaying the donated goods, ensuring that residents would feel welcomed and valued as they browsed.
“Last year’s project made such an impact that we knew we couldn’t let it be a one-time thing,” Hipp added. “Hello Huntsville stepped in this year to continue what Class 42 started, and we’re committed to making it an annual tradition.”
The success of the 2025 campaign highlights the ongoing needs of local senior communities—and the power of neighbors coming together to meet those needs with compassion and respect.
“This is what community leadership looks like,” said Hipp. “Small actions. Big love. And people showing up for one another.”
Hello Huntsville plans to expand the “Share the Love” initiative in the coming years, with hopes of reaching more locations and increasing the number of seniors served.
To learn more about the “Share the Love” project or find out how to get involved next year, email hello@hellohuntsvilletx.com.
