Genna: When Megan first asked me to join last year’s event, I had a lot going on and didn’t feel like I could give it my full attention. When she asked me again this year, I realized life is never really going to slow down. There will always be ups and downs, and it will rarely feel like the “perfect” time. That perspective made me want to say yes and fully embrace the opportunity this year.

Jessica: When first asked, it definitely felt like something outside of my comfort zone but I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent Furnish Hope.

Genna: First of all, it’s nearly impossible to say no to Megan, and I’m fully invested in the mission. I’ve been a volunteer with Furnish Hope since 2023, and it has truly been a constant in my life through some very difficult times. It’s become my “happy place”, a place where I can surround myself with people who have the biggest hearts and who are all committed to creating hope for others. I said yes because I genuinely want to help spread the word about Furnish Hope. I’m fully invested in its mission and excited to see it continue to grow and make an even bigger impact in our community. I couldn’t be more honored to be a Hope Ambassador, especially to do it alongside my friend Jess, who I met through Furnish Hope.

Jessica: Furnish Hope to me resembles what true community should look like. Everyone involved in this organization has such a warm and loving heart and is committed to the mission of offering hope to people who are often going through a tough transition. Everyone deserves a home they feel safe in, and I'm so grateful to be part of an organization that is providing hope in Central Oregon.

Genna: I work on the Sales Team at Hydro Flask in Bend. One of my favorite parts of my job is bringing our seasonal sales meetings to life. I love working cross-functionally with different teams to create engaging events that set our Sales Reps up for success and build excitement around each new season. I also really value being able to give back to the community through company volunteer hours, which is something that means a lot to me.

Jessica: As a technical leader, I’m responsible for solving some of Amazon’s most complex, cross-organizational problems by aligning engineering, product, science and business teams to deliver large-scale technical initiatives that drive measurable customer and business impact.

Genna: I’m passionate about giving back, being involved in my community and advocating for others. My father-in-law battled brain cancer for many years, and through that experience, we leaned on the support of our community. It showed me the power of connection and how much it matters to show up for others. I would describe myself as a connector. I love staying busy, meeting new people and spending time with friends and family. Outside of work, you can often find me volunteering at Furnish Hope and getting involved with other local nonprofits, like Partners in Care. I also love saying yes to adventure - being out in nature is incredibly grounding and healing for me.

Jessica: I was a Division I and professional tennis player, so staying active has always been a big part of who I am. Now I really enjoy bodybuilding, hiking, skiing and spending time outdoors. I also recently got my motorcycle license and have always been into cars. Outside of that, I love learning. I'm always diving into topics like investing, health and performance, technology and personal development. I enjoy finding new skills to learn and am always looking for ways to keep growing, both personally and professionally.

Genna: My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader. She’s been there through every season of my life and has never stopped showing up with love and support. Our family has experienced a lot of loss and heartbreak, but she has remained incredibly strong and steady through it all. Even in the hardest moments, she never gives up, and that resilience has been a constant source of inspiration and hope for me.

Jessica: My mom has inspired more hope in my life than anyone else. She has overcome incredibly difficult circumstances and transformed her pain into purpose. Watching her choose faith, resilience and compassion through life's challenges has shown me what hope truly looks like. As the manager of Furnish Hope and Home, she inspires me every day by the way she treats every person who walks through the doors - with kindness, dignity and genuine care. She has a remarkable ability to make people feel seen, valued and loved, regardless of their circumstances. She is a beautiful example of someone who has leaned on hope during life's hardest seasons and trusted that God was working through them. Her life reminds me that hope isn't just something we hold onto - it's something we can share with others. Through her faith and servant heart, she has made a lasting impact on our family, our community and everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Genna: Hope, to me, is never giving up on your dreams and wishes. It’s finding that small glimmer each day and choosing to see it as a sign that things will be okay. Hope is also something we can give to others, a reason for people to believe again, even when things feel uncertain or overwhelming.

Jessica: Hope is the belief that today's circumstances don't have to define tomorrow. That your story is always being written and that every challenge, lesson and opportunity is shaping you into someone who can make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. In my daily life, this shows up as rising above circumstances and showing up with love, joy and peace.

Genna: I absolutely love being part of the Central Oregon community. It has such strong small-town vibes, where people genuinely show up for and support one another. I’m especially excited about the new Furnish Hope warehouse and the vision behind its growth. It creates even more opportunities to be part of something that brings hope to others and strengthens our community even further.

Jessica: This is a place where people genuinely care about living well - spiritually, physically, mentally and socially. There's a shared appreciation for the outdoors, health and building meaningful relationships, which makes it feel like a community where it's easy to belong and contribute.