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Free tax preparation will be available at the ACCA Child Development Center on February 20 - 24 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. for those with annual incomes less than $57,000.  Assistance will be available in English or Spanish. This event is sponsored by the United Way, Walmart, 1Economy Corporation and the National Disabilities Institute. Flyers are available in English and Spanish with details and information on what to bring.  

Here are other opportunities for free tax assistance:  

Deloitte LLP, in partnership with Volunteer Fairfax and Fairfax County Department of Family Services, is providing free tax preparation for low-to-middle-income individuals and families (income of $50,000 or less) at the Falls Church SkillSouce Center on Sunday, February 26, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Download this flyer for details on information on what to bring.  

Assistance also is available through AARP from now through April 17 for low- to middle-income individuals at the Mason District Government Center at 6507 Columbia Pike. Hours are: 1 - 8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays; 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

John G. Hofbauer, a long-time volunteer and financial supporter of ACCA, died on February 12. A Mass of Christian burial was offered at St. Anthony of Padua on February 17. The Hofbauer family requested contributions to ACCA in lieu of flowers. John served ACCA in several ways: as Treasurer for many years, often from his desk at the Child Development Center, and as a volunteer for ACCA's Furniture ministry, for which he provided a truck and drove for pick-ups and deliveries. May John Hofbauer rest in peace and be fondly remembered for his service and philanthropy.

During January, ACCA distributed more than $20,000 to assist 44 households with rent, utilities, medical and miscellaneous expenses. More than 85 percent of this amount was spent to prevent homelessness:

An elderly disabled, homeless man needed to stay in a motel for two nights before the County was able to secure other housing.

A single mother whose husband died recently, lost both her job and her home and was diagnosed with cancer; ACCA paid her utility bill to have the gas reconnected. 

ACCA also assisted in paying rent for a family of five, in which the father is a day laborer and mother is a nanny. The father had little work during December when the boss of his crew went on vacation.

Ice and snow prevented pick-ups and deliveries during the third weekend in January. However, basic furniture was delivered to 32 households comprised of 127 men, women and children during the other three weeks.  

In spite of a generous donation of 25 mattresses from Goodwin House Baileys Crossroads, there is a continuing need for single and double mattresses and box springs. If you can help with this or donations of other basic furniture, contact the DiSpiritos at 703-256-9513 or  ddmld@verizon.net.

The fourth annual Winter Clothing Drive for the needy in our area yielded 30 large bags of quality outerwear items. The clothing was distributed to day laborers gathered at Little River Turnpike/Hummer Road, women and children in the Fairmont Gardens Apartments, residents of the Bailey Crossroads Shelter, and families at the ACCA Child Development Center. Arnaldo Borja, community organizer for the Legal Aid Justice Center of Virginia assisted with coordination of distribution. Donated clothing items were gathered by the ACCA Furniture Committee from seven ACCA churches:

St. Michael's Catholic, coordinated by Brian Vaccaro and Joyce Bermingham

St Alban's Episcopal, coordinated by Fred Holmes

Peace Lutheran, coordinated by Ron Maree

Providence Presbyterian, coordinated by Mary Lee Di Spirito

John Calvin Presbyterian, coordinated by Diane McEldowney

Lincolnia Methodist, coordinated by Nancy Moy

The clothing drive started with a substantial contribution of outerwear from St. Mark's Catholic Church in Vienna coordinated by Paul Renard with assistance from two ACCA members: Dave and Pat Donohue. This annual clothing drive was initiated by the late Bob Bermingham of St. Michael's Catholic Church working with the ACCA Furniture ministry.

If you can serve as a back-up driver to take individuals to medical appointments in Northern Virginia, call 703-256-2342 or 703-573-9171.

ACCA will participate in Rebuilding Together, the largest volunteer housing repair program in the United States, on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Since 1990, ACCA has repaired and rehabilitated 109 homes and non-profit housing facilities enabling low-income seniors, persons with disabilities, and families with children have a safe and decent place to live.

The ACCA Rebuilding Together effort is seeking volunteers to help rehabilitate selected homes in the Annandale and Bailey's Crossroads communities and monetary donations for building supplies and materials. The work on each house costs about $3,500. To volunteer time, donate resources, or receive more information, please contact Marie Monsen at 703-354-9408 or mamonsen@verizon.net.

The ACCA Child Development Center is in need of additional sheets for the cots on which the children take naps. The dimensions are 21-1/2" wide by 51-1/2" long. Use a 10- 1/2" piece of 1/4" elastic, 5 inches in from each corner to the diagonal so the sheets can be attached around each of the four cot legs (see a drawing, here). If you are handy at sewing, please make a few and deliver them to the ACCA Child Development Center at 7200 Columbia Pike in Annandale.

We encourage sharing of this e-newsletter with friends, neighbors and community members. Ask your parish webmaster to post a link to the ACCA newsletter on your parish website or in your parish email. Here's an example of how Providence Presbyterian incorporated ACCA news in its parish e-mail.  

Help Wanted: ACCA E-Newsletter Editor

ACCA is very grateful for the assistance in launching our E-newsletter provided by Joan Nagle, a retired professional editor who has moved on to other volunteer projects. This leaves an opportunity for another community member with writing skills to volunteer their services. If you are interested, contact Martha Romans to learn more.