United Community Ministries
Community Connection
                                                                                             September  2010
Dear Friend,  Cynthia N. Hull, Executive Director
This is an extremely busy time here at UCM! We have just completed our back-to-school supply drive and distribution to nearly 800 children, and already it's time to gear up for distribution of holiday gifts to at least 1,000 children in December.  
 
We are also dedicating lots of time and effort to Help the Homeless mini-walks and fund raising for scholarships for 3,000 children and youth who will walk in support of UCM. Three thousand walkers!  It's a challenge, but one we are meeting with a great deal of excitement. You can read more below about how your involvement can help us reach our goal.  Please join us! 
  
To each of you, thank you for your steadfast support!  Together we are all helping individuals and families in our community live a better today and build a brighter tomorrow.
 
With gratitude,
 signature




 
Cynthia N. Hull
Executive Director
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schoolBack Packs Distributed to Almost 800 Kids!
backpacks
Thanks to tremendous support from churches, local businesses and many, many generous donors, UCM was able to provide nearly 800 local children with backpacks filled with the school supplies they needed to start off the new school year on the right foot.
 
The school supplies program would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of UCM volunteers.  For more than two weeks, volunteers sorted through bags of donated pencils, notebooks, pens and much more. Next, the backpacks were filled with grade specific supplies so that children would have age-appropriate tools for school. When kids came into UCM with their parents on August 25th and 26th, UCM volunteers helped them pick out their backpacks. Says volunteer, Vanessa Fujimoto-Gomez, "It was great to see all of our hardwork pay off, but the best part was the kids' smiles when they got their bags!"


hthTime to Put on Those Walking Shoes!
Get ready to put on your walking shoes and join UCM as we take steps to end homelessness and raise funds for UCM through Fannie Mae's 2010 Help the Homeless Program. 
 
Help Us Get to 3,000 Walkers and Reach Our Goal of Raising $140,000!
 
Mini-walks are underway in our community and we would love to have you join a walk to take steps forward to end poverty. Registration is $25 for adults and $15 for children. Below are just a few of the walks we have scheduled. Mark your calendars and join one--or to start your own! Don't feel like walking, but still want to help out? Contact Sarah Stone for more information.
 
Host:                        Mount Vernon Chapter of AAUW
Location:                 920 Emerald Dr., Alexandria VA 22308
Date:                       Saturday, September 25, 2010
Time:                      10:00 a.m.
Contact:                   Elaine Kolish
 
Host:                        Creekside Village Neighborhood Center
Location:                 7939 Janna Lee Avenue,  Alexandria, VA 22309
Date:                       Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Time:                       5:00 p.m.
Contact:                   Blanca Vasquez 
 
Host:                         Mount Vernon Jazzercise/ Hollin Hall Senior Center            
Location:                  1500 Shenandoah Rd, Alexandria, VA 22308-1100
Date:                         Friday, October 8, 2010
Time:                        6:00 p.m.
Contact:                    Joni Koons for Jazzercise or Julie Ellis for Walking
 
Host:                         Sacramento Neighborhood Center            
Location:                   8792E Sacramento Drive, Alexandria, VA 22309
Date:                         Saturday, October 23, 2010
Time:                        11:30 a.m.
Contact:                    Sally Waller 
 
Host:                         Heritage Presbyterian Church          
Location:                  8503 Fort Hunt Rd., Alexandria VA 22308
Date:                         Sunday, October 24, 2010
Time:                        12:30 p.m.
Contact:                    Joan McLellan

Host:                         Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church           
Location:                   2001 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306
Date:                         Sunday, October 24, 2010
Time:                        12:30 p.m.
Contact:                    Cathy Dickstein 
 
Host:                         UCM/Bryant High School
Location                    2709 Popkins Ln, Alexandria, VA 22306-1819
Date:                         Friday, October 29, 2010
Time:                        11:00 a.m.
Contact                     Sarah Stone


eventsUpcoming Events in September
You are invited! Join us for these upcoming events:
 
Friends of UCM Wine Tasting 
Join the Friends of UCM for an afternoon of wine tasting and cheese. Cost is $40 per person. Tickets are limited -- call now if you're interested! 
 
Host:                          Friends of UCM            
Location:                   Home of Joe Viar                           
                                  7827 Southdown Rd., Alexandria, VA 22308
Date:                          Sunday, September 19, 2010
Time:                          4 - 7 p.m.
Contact:                      Maureen McGuire-Kuletz 
 
Restaurant Night Fundraiser
Pick your favorite noodle and let your the counter staff know you are there for UCM!
 
Host:                         Noodles & Company
Location:                  7702 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22306                 
Date:                         Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Time:                         5 - 9 p.m.
Contact:                    Sarah Stone


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