Orangevale nonprofit launching scholarship program for trade school

A community-driven nonprofit serving the Orangevale region has announced a unique program for graduating high school seniors: Scholarships for trade school. The organization Helping Hands OV, which serves Orangevale and Fair Oaks, recently announced its newest initiative with the trade school scholarship program. It will offer financial assistance not only to graduating high school seniors but to any individuals currently enrolled or seeking to enroll in trade school programs. A fundraiser to help support the program is scheduled in August with a chili cookoff. "Trade schools offer a direct and practical path to specific careers, especially in high-demand and highly needed fields," said Sydnie Anderson, president of Helping Hands OV. The announcement comes on the heels of other popular community-driven efforts. In February, the Valentines for Seniors program collected and distributed more than 10,400 handmade cards to senior care homes across the Sacramento region. In March, 157 underprivileged children received personalized Easter baskets through the Easter Baskets for Kids in Need initiative. The Spring Food Drive collected more than 4,000 pounds of food for the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank. The Spring Carnival portion of the day offered free family fun with face painting, crafts, shaved ice, photos in the OV Photo Bus, and thanks to community partners Cathy Kurtz Photography and Rose Senior Placement, the Easter Bunny greeted each guest. The Let It Snow Toy Project continues to collect new and gently used bikes, scooters, skateboards and helmets for local children in need. Meanwhile, Helping Hands OV remains dedicated to assisting low-income, elderly and disabled residents with small household tasks such as mowing lawns, fixing fence posts and changing smoke detector batteries. The new trade school scholarship program will become the focus of the 2025 Salsa Cook Off, the nonprofit's largest annual fundraiser. Applications for the scholarship program will open in 2026. To learn more or get involved with the Salsa Cook Off, visit: https://helpinghandsov.ticketspice.com/salsa-cook-off-2025