Name:  Christopher B. Hope
Email:    chris@chrishopefoundation.org
Business:  Chris Hope Foundation (non-profit)
 
What is the backstory of your business?
 
When?
In 2015, the Chris Hope Foundation, a non-profit was established - dedicated to touching patients’ lives and empowering the families of those battling childhood cancer and other pediatric illnesses.
 
Why? 
I’ve always had a desire to help others. After realizing there were other needs outside of the medical aspect, I wanted to help provide both emotional and financial support to families who were facing one of the greatest fights of their lives.
 
How? 
With a dedicated group of volunteer staff and workers, we coordinate and administer resources acquired through sponsorships, donors and annual fundraising events.
 
Tell us your role in the business?
My role in the business is CEO/Founder. I can also be found working in every aspect of the business to ensure quality performance.
 
What are your biggest challenges?
One of my biggest challenges is acquiring and maintaining the necessary sponsors and donors to help fund our efforts in assisting families.    
 
What are your biggest rewards?
I am greatly rewarded when a life has been changed, a smile has been made, and a family has been helped through the aid and assistance of the CHF foundation.
 
How does your business give back to the community?
The Chris Hope Foundation has provided people with temporary housing, granted wishes for children in hospice, offered scholarships to teenage cancer survivors and organized community events advocating for pediatric cancer awareness and research.
When opportunity presents itself, CHF is always up for the challenge. The winter snowstorm 2021 caused serious issues in the Memphis area, including a water crisis.  CHF took the necessary steps to find a supply of bottled water outside of Memphis and provided it to the St. Jude Tri Delta Place housing facility, the Le Bonheur FedEx House, and Le Bonheur’s child life Delivering the bottled water created a multitude of smiles and brought joy to these individuals and facilities that provide top-notch care for children and their families.
During that same time period of inclement weather (snow, ice and freezing temperatures), two 53' UPS trailers of meal kits were stuck in Memphis and unable to be delivered to the shipper's customers across the country. The shipper decided to donate all of the meal kits locally. Being a UPS employee, they asked me to help make it happen. The CHF team jumped into action and successfully transferred 1,700 boxes packed with over 5,000 pre-packaged meals to the Mid-South Food Bank and eight other community organizations. We felt the opportunity to help was critical at a time when so many individuals and families are facing challenges brought about by the pandemic and the extreme winter situation in Memphis.
We were happy to be of service to others in our hometown!
 
Has your business received any recommendations or rewards?
In 2016, the Chris Hope Foundation was recognized among the Top Three Nonprofits in the Memphis Community by the Tri-State Defender.
 
Recently, on February 4, 2021, I was inducted into Marquis Who’s Who – a publication that  chronicles the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor.
 
I have attributed my professional success to my passion and my caring heart.
 
How has being a Chamber member helped your business?
The Chamber has helped us with our branding efforts and has been a support to the foundation by posting CHF’s information on various social media platforms. We were also spotlighted on the Philanthropic Thursday issue with information regarding our upcoming bowling event on April 24, 2021.
 
Is there anything else you would like to add about your business?
The CHF Family House opened its doors September 5, 2020. The house is free of charge to families when they don’t otherwise qualify for hospital-provided housing.
Many hands and hearts helped create the CHF Family House and we continue to maintain to ensure every family is comfortable and enjoy their home away from home.
 
As a result of the exceptional work of the CHF team, I have proudly witnessed the foundation grow from two volunteers to more than 50 active volunteers. Looking toward the future, I plan to hire full-time employees at the Chris Hope Foundation so that we can expand our services and operate on a nationwide level.

What is the backstory of your business?
Edward Jones was founded in 1922 and has built its business around establishing offices with one financial officer and one business office administrator. Our goal is to build relationships with our clients using our established process to help them reach their life goals.

Tell us your role in the business.
I serve as the financial advisor to our clients here in Germantown and the surrounding area.

What are the biggest challenges?
Getting the message of what we can accomplish together out to the public.

What are the biggest rewards?
We very much enjoy building relationships with our clients and partnering with them to reach their goals.

How does your business give back to the community?
Edward Jones has been a long time supporter of The Alzheimer's Association, Toys for Tots, and other local initiatives.

If your business is in Germantown, why did you choose Germantown?
Germantown is a thriving, vital part of the Mid South. We feel we can walk along side residents of the area through their entire financial journey.

How has being a Chamber member helped your business?
The Germantown Chamber has been an essential part of our effort to build credibility and trust as we strive to serve everyone we encounter. 

Is there anything else you would like to add about your business?
We are proud to be an active member of the Germantown business community and look forward to many years of success together!


Learn more about Tom Shelley and how to connect with him here:
https://www.edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/thomas-shelley