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Reston Interfaith Newsletter - Summer 2011
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Reston Interfaith Builds Community Every Day
Reston Interfaith's Community Building Initiative aims to create connections and integrate cultures in order to diminish crime in low-income housing neighborhoods. Our dedicated staff develops close relationships with members of the community, encouraging self-sufficiency and stability.
The Stonegate Village Community celebrated its 2nd Annual Fun Day event with a tropical theme. The event was hosted by Reston Interfaith and Quantum Property Management. More than 400 community residents celebrated and dined on a buffet of Ethiopian, Pakistani and American cuisine. Rohana Raufi, the Stonegate Teen Association's President commented that, "we worked really hard to put it together; it was really fun and turned out to be a really successful event!"
Down the road with the Southgate Initiative, residents along the Glade Corridor are splashing in the local pools with pool passes donated by the Reston Association. Over at Dogwood Elementary School, our outreach, organizing and bilingual skills have assisted with the enrollment of 32 children in an early intervention pre-kindergarten program.
Around the corner at the Cedar Ridge Community Center, 40 youth are being served a hot meal Monday through Thursday as part of the Fairfax County Summer Lunch Food Program. This successful program is run by both the emerging youth leaders in the community and Reston Interfaith volunteers.
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It Takes a Community to End Homelessness
According to highlights presented by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Ending Homelessness, on January 26, 2011 there were 1,549 people who were literally homeless in the Fairfax-Falls Church Community. The number was 5 more people than the 2010 total of 1,545 people. The number of homeless people remains stable in spite of our challenging economy, high unemployment, foreclosure crisis and record levels of poverty in our cities and suburbs. Reston Interfaith works with volunteers, donors, businesses, the faith community and county agencies to address homelessness.
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Teeing off for a Cause
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported the 17th Annual Rucker Memorial Golf Tournament, presented by ClearIT. The event raised over $112,000. These funds will support the programs and services provided by Reston Interfaith.
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Upcoming Events to Benefit Reston Interfaith
1. Stand United Against Hunger Food Drive, Friday, August 12, 11am - 8pm at the Reston Town Center Pavilion.
2. One More Night -
A New Musical Comedy, Saturday, August 13, 8pm at St. John Neumann Auditorium. No tickets needed - donations accepted.
3. Mayflowers Anniversary Celebration - Open House, Thursday, September 15, 2011, 11am - 2pm. Proceeds of a special Surprise Bouquet promotion will benefit Reston Interfaith Help the Homeless Walk program.
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Take Steps to End Homelessness
Join in the Help the Homeless Walk Program and raise public awareness of the issues surrounding homelessness, while providing support to prevent and end homelessness in your community.
5 ways to get involved:
1. On Sunday, October 23, join us for our 8th Annual Help the Homeless Community Walk at Festival on the Square at Reston Heights - the Sheraton & Westin Hotels. Registration starts at 12 noon and the Walk will begin at 1:30pm. After the Walk enjoy live music, entertainment, and children's activities. The registration fee is $20 for youth (25 & under) and $30 for adults. Click here to register. Our walk is named Reston Interfaith Community Walk. Register by October 17th to receive your t-shirt at the Walk.
2. Plan your own mini-walk. Pick a date that works for your group. Click here to learn more.
3. Sponsor walkers. If you cannot participate, make a donation of $20 to sponsor a youth. Please contact Kitta Crawley or call 571-323-9570 to make a donation.
4. Sign up for the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall, Saturday, November 19, in Washington, D.C. Click here to register and please select Reston Interfaith (VA035) as your designated beneficiary.
5. If you are unable to attend these events but still want to help, you can also register as a Virtual Walker, fee $35. Click here to register and please select Reston Interfaith (VA035) as your designated beneficiary.
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| Unique Ways of Giving Back
Our donors are creative! Here are a few ways people are giving back.
The Power of the Traveling Purse - Linda Mallison, Georgia Graves, Lynn Gilmore, Suzanne Powers, Theresa Goudie, Pat Williams, Debra Biely, and others are paying it forward by donating money to Reston Interfaith each time they borrow a sought-after purse, which was recently auctioned off at the 17th Annual Rucker Memorial Golf Tournament. The purse is a Chocolate/Black "The Uptown" by Beijo and it is worth all the fuss.
A gift that gives back - at Ellen Graves' recent birthday celebration, guests showered her with non-perishable food, rather than the traditional gifts. Ellen donated all the food to our food pantry.
Cooley, LLP staff located in the Reston office, held a competition to raise funds to support Reston Interfaith and the Help the Homeless Walk Program. Congratulations to the 11th floor for raising the most funds!
On July 14th the Melting Pot Fondue Restaurant of Reston dedicated all the proceeds from the Grand Opening of their new location in Plaza America.
A special thanks to all our donors, who reach out to their friends, family, and coworkers to support Reston Interfaith.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you to all the volunteers who donated their time this past fiscal year. When we added up all our volunteer sign-in sheets - over 2,536 individuals volunteered. Reston Interfaith appreciates the backing, care and attention our volunteers provided each and every day to our clients.
Donate the most precious gift - your time. The benefits of volunteering are endless.
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Applause Applause
To the children living on Inlet Cluster for donating the proceeds of their lemonade stand.
To AMC Dental Spa for donating dental cleanings for our clients.
To King of Kings Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School for providing support at Stonegate and Cedar Ridge events.
To St. Anne's Episcopal Church for handing out summer lunches at Cedar Ridge.
To NII for sponsoring the kids at Southgate to go to Hemlock Overlook Ropes Course.
To Front Porch Singers, Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, Knights of Columbus - Family of Man Council, Floris United Methodist Church, and Tweety Dong & Woody (Robert) Woodis - an extra big thank you for supporting different aspects of the Transitional Housing Summer Kick-off Party.
From the Embry Rucker Community Shelter:
To Ingrid's Hair Salon for providing haircuts to clients.
To Freddie Mac volunteers for planting flowers and mulching.
To Floris United Methodist Church for taking on a second meal catering event each month.
To Seasons 52 Restaurant, Tysons Corner, for joining the Harvest Program to donate food.
To Gina Crovato, Corey Thoesen and friends from WAKA Dominion Kickball for their donation to improve the playground.
To Bharat and Avani Parikh and their friends from Fannie Mae for doing a wish list drive.
To Dave Craven and the Knights of Columbus for catering a summer BBQ.
To David Carson for running a 6 week long goal setting workshop for our clients.
To Kristin Foose and employees from Brittenford Systems for weeding, planting flowers, and mulching.
To Cooley, LLP associates for catering dinner.
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