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Reston Interfaith helps people build more stable lives by connecting them to vital resources that solve their needs for housing, childcare, food or financial assistance.
January 2011 | |
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 As we feel the deep chill of winter, your contribution allows Reston Interfaith to reach out to the community to support our clients and ensure that all those in need are given the opportunity to enjoy the warmth of the holidays. This work ultimately helps to improve the lives of those less fortunate and the community we call home.
Here are some of the ways Reston Interfaith is working to spread the warmth:
- Over 1,550 children will smile this holiday season when they receive gifts from their personal wish lists. This was made possible through the support of our generous volunteers, donors, and staff.
- During the month of November, the Emergency and Self-Sufficiency Services Program was able to assist 1,079 families by giving them food and financial support to reduce any immediate danger of losing their homes or the comforts of home.
- Dominion Virginia Power employee volunteers assisted Reston Interfaith by completing weatherization improvements to eleven transitional townhomes located in Herndon and at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter. This work allows our clients to reduce their energy bills and eliminate the choice of buying food or paying their electrical bill.
- During the winter months, Reston Interfaith serves all persons in need of shelter from the cold. Since December 1, the North County Hypothermia Prevention Program for single adults has been running at full capacity and maintains a "no turn away" policy. The Embry Rucker Community Shelter has accommodated any overflow or families that are in need of a warm place to spend the night.
- The Embry Rucker Community Shelter staff continues outreach efforts to find unsheltered people who are living in the woods. Staff offers them the opportunity for shelter or gives supplies to help them find some warmth while living outdoors. | |
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| Applause Applause | |
To Susan Foose for graciously coordinating a warm and welcoming holiday party for the ERCS residents featuring entertainment and a dinner. Shelter guests were also given gifts that Susan purchased throughout the year and handmade crocheted scarves and hats.
To Ginger Mahon for showering ERCS clients with holiday wishes. Ten years ago Ginger founded Wish List Project, a community outreach program that provides gifts to local homeless families and foster teens by matching them with donors. Once again the gifts she provided will bring joy to our 70 shelter guests.
 To the thirty 6th grade girls from Floris United Methodist Church who fulfilled a challenge to come up with and carry out a service project. These outstanding girls collected 150 large bags filled with blankets, sheets, and towels and donated these items to the ERCS and a few other local charities.
To Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, Kathleen Wind, the Tagliareni and Chapman Families, Anna Waycaster, MallowDrama, Floris United Methodist Church and the Front Porch Singers for a wonderful holiday party celebrating all the families in Reston Interfaith's Transitional Housing Programs.
To St. John Neumann Knights of Columbus, Flor Graves, MallowDrama, Jane Norton and Friends, and Hernan Ninovar for pulling together to create a wonderful holiday evening for young families participating in our Healthy Families Fairfax Program.
 To Melissa Showalter and her son David for supporting Gifts for Kids. For over 16 years, Melissa has volunteered with this drive and she has provided outstanding organizational skills.
Hats off to all the organizations that held FriendRaisers to support Reston Interfaith:
- UNO's of Reston, Turkey Bash
- German Armed Forces Command United States and Canada, German Christkindlmarket
- Midtown Jewelers, Holiday Trunk Show
- Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, Alternative Gift Market
- P+R Architects, Food Drive in Reston Town Center
- Reston Community Center, Gifts from the HeArt Fine Art Exhibit |
| Amazing Volunteers | |
Volunteers do amazing work through Reston Interfaith. Here are just a few highlights of what our volunteers made possible in 2010:
- 12 new financial literacy mentors
- A refurbished playground at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter
- A golf camp for Laurel Learning Center students
- A Fun Day for over 300 residents in the Stonegate Village Apartments
- 6 tireless English instructors for 40 ESL students in Herndon
- Over 2,000 boxes of food distributed to families for Thanksgiving
- More than 5,000 coats handed out throughout the winter
- Mommy and Me Yoga classes for new mothers
- Weekly citizenship classes at Cedar Ridge Apartments
Every day we are encouraged by and thankful for the generosity of the volunteers in our neighborhood and we can't wait to see what wonderful work we will be reflecting on next year.
Interested in volunteering with this great group of people? Click here to learn more about our Volunteer Opportunities. |
| Best of Reston's Dynamic Duo | |
 A great team has come together to chair the 2011 Best of Reston. Karen Cleveland and Casey Veatech are utilizing their
years of experience and creativity to make this very special annual event. The Best of Reston honors individuals, organizations and businesses that have put forth tremendous effort in their commitment to community service and improving the lives of others. Click here to learn more about the 2011 Best of Reston event.
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| Support our Annual Appeal | |
 Supporting Reston Interfaith will mean the difference between homelessness and a home of one's own, between waiting lists and immediate help, between helplessness and self-sufficiency. Invest in our community by making a contribution to Reston Interfaith today. Click here to print the Annual Appeal or make your gift online.
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Capitol Steps - Feb. 13 | |
The 28th Annual Capitol Steps Benefit Performance returns Sunday, February 13, 2011. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Reston. The silent auction opens at 6:15pm and the show begins at 7pm.
Plan now to enjoy an evening filled with live entertainment,
decadent desserts, and wonderful wines. This event is a great way to have a fun night out and support your community at the same time. In addition, you will have a chance to bid on one-of-a-kind items in silent and live auctions. Click here for more information on reservations and sponsorship opportunities available. |
| Motivating Others to Give |  What would you do to motivate people to support Reston Interfaith? Recently one instructor in the American Culture and Language Institute at the Northern Virginia Community College - Loudoun Campus offered to shave his head if his ESL students gathered over 200 food items to donate to the ESSP/Food Pantry. 93 students met the challenge and reached the goal. As promised, Duane Fitzhugh delivered on his word and had his head shaved in front of excited students on the Tuesday preceding Thanksgiving. |
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| Reston Interfaith - 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston, VA 20190
571-323-9555
Click here to donate to Reston Interfaith |
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