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Reston Interfaith Newsletter - 

November  2011

 

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 Partnering to Provide Fall Fun

 

Reston Interfaith's core focus is to help people in times of crisis obtain resources that solve their needs for housing, childcare, food or financial assistance. To help individuals and families heal, our staff provides opportunities for our clients to leave their worries behind and enjoy a simple family outing or experience the joys of gardening - when they are homeless.

 

This past summer the children at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter (ERCS) got to learn first hand the delights and responsibilities of being backyard gardeners. Hidden Lane Landscaping & Design staff members planted a childrens' vegetable garden. The youngsters were responsible for watering and weeding the garden and they learned these new skills from ERCS and Hidden Lane staff. Throughout the summer the children would retreat to the garden to inventory the growth.  A few weeks ago, there were many smiles when the children got to harvest sweet potatoes, carrots and squash and then shelter clients got to enjoy fresh homegrown vegetables.

 

Clients of our Partnership for Permanent Housing enjoyed an action-packed day at Cox Farms for a traditional fall festival, which provided a true piece of "Americana" for all participants. As the sound of Bluegrass music belted from the bandstand and a train whistle blew in the background, clients had the opportunity to milk a cow, swing from a rope into an enormous pile of hay, crawl through a hay maze, take a hay ride through a pumpkin patch, pet baby farm animals and indulge in apple cider. The parents enjoyed a fun-filled day with their children and for a few hours they were able to escape their current life challenges. As they left the grounds, each client was given a small pumpkin as a remembrance of pure, outdoor fun with their family.  

Volunteer Opportunities

 

As we get ready for the holiday season, please consider donating the most precious gift - your time. The benefits of volunteering are endless.

 

Reston Interfaith appreciates the support, care and attention our volunteers provide each and every day to our clients.  

 

Click here to learn more about our current volunteer opportunities.

 

Thanksgiving and Gifts for Kids Drives

 

Plan now to support the 2011 Thanksgiving and Gifts for Kids drives. We are collecting Thanksgiving meal boxes and gifts for local families in need. 

 

To support either of these important drives, please contact Nate King or call 571-323-9569.    

 

Click here for Thanksgiving Drive details.          

 

OR 

   

Click here for Gifts for Kids Drive details.  

 

Thank you for helping make the holidays a little brighter for all of the families we serve.

 

Shelter Needs

As the temperatures start to drop the shelter needs some specific items to support our clients and local unsheltered adults. Please consider donating the following items:

                    

-  New and gently used blankets

-  Sweat pants and sweat shirts

-  Sports bras - larger sizes

-  25 gal. plastic storage containers

 

For more information, contact Susan Alger or call 571-323-1383. 

 

Upcoming Events

5th Annual Underwear Ride 

Sat., Nov. 12

Leesburg, VA

Click here to learn more.  

 

Winter Coat Closet  Opens Sat., Nov. 12, 2011 at Hunter Mill District Supervisor's Office (North County Govt. Center). Stop by and donate new and gently used coats, hats, and gloves.  Click here to learn more. 

 

Devotion to Children  

Red, Heart & Soul Gala

Wed., Nov. 16, 2011. 

Click here to learn more.

 

Reston Community Center Thanksgiving Food Drive will be held Nov. 1-21. Click here for more information.

 

 

 

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Successful Help the Homeless Walk

 

The 8th Annual Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Community Walk to benefit Reston Interfaith was held on October 23, 2011 and the event was a success.  Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude go out to all of our supporters who joined us to take steps to end homelessness in the Reston/Herndon community. Click here to see photos of the Community Walk.

 

If you missed the walk, there is still time to get involved and make a difference. Fannie Mae will award Reston Interfaith with additional funding based on our number of walk participants. Our goal for 2011 is to engage over 1,500 walkers, and while we are well on the way to that goal, we still need your help. 

 

Please consider participating in one of the following ways:

- 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. 

 

- Register as a Virtual Walker for the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon. Please select Reston Interfaith (VA035) as your designated beneficiary.  Click here to register.

 

For more information about the Walk to Help End Homelessness program contact Kitta Crawley or call 571-323-9570.


 

Calling for Nominations for the 2012 Best of Reston

 

bestof restoncircleThe Best of Reston Awards is a collaboration between Reston Interfaith and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce that celebrates individuals, organizations and businesses that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to community service and improving the lives of others in the Greater Reston area.

 

We invite you to assist by nominating those who have made extraordinary contributions to the Greater Reston Community. There are four nomination categories: Individual Community Member, Civic/Community Organization, Small Business Leader (2 - 100 employees), and Corporate Business Leader (101+ employees).

 

Click here for nomination forms and names of previous awardees. Nominations are due by 5:00 pm on Monday, November 14, 2011.

 

Plan to join us next April 12 at the Hyatt Regency Reston as we honor the 2012 outstanding awardees during a very special evening.

 

If you have questions, please contact Cathy Hoskinson at 571-323-9566 or Judy Redpath at 703-295-9322.


 

Applause Applause 

 

- To NII Holdings, Inc. for once again naming Reston Interfaith as the beneficiary of its 4th Annual Charity Golf Outing. More than 30 sponsoring businesses gathered at the "19th Hole," when Steve Dussek presented the proceeds to Kerrie Wilson, RI CEO. "Ten years ago, NII Holdings donated some food to Reston Interfaith. Every year since then, NII has continued to expand their involvement with our organization - supporting drives, sponsoring activities at our community centers, organizing team building activities to benefit our families. Your investment and that of your partners who participated in this event will benefit our community for many years to come," exclaimed Kerrie Wilson.

 
To Cbeyond for taking Laurel Learning Center preschoolers to Cox Farm.

 

To Reston Tennis and Reston Association for donating the proceeds from their first doubles tennis tournament. 

 

To the Giving Circle for sponsoring Help the Homeless walkers. 

 

To Ben and Jake Freeman for raising funds to support the Help the Homeless Walk program.

 

To Mayflowers of Reston Town Center for donating the proceeds of a specialty bouquet celebrating their one year anniversary open house.

k here to learn more. 

From the Embry Rucker Community Shelter:

 

To Mohammed Safiani and the Hyatt Hotel at Fair Lakes for donating linens.

 

To Booz Allen Hamilton employees for hosting an end of summer BBQ and bingo night.

 

To Peter Murray and Anthony Piselli of Hidden Lane Landscaping for working with the children to foster a love of gardening from planting to harvest.

 

To the generous donor who provided funding to purchase a new vehicle to be used for client transportation.

 

To Janet Bolton for providing sewing alterations and repairs for clients' clothing.

 

To the Junior League for leading monthly activities for the children.

 

To the Giving Circle of Hope for leading a monthly craft and snack time for children.

 

To Kettie Houck and friends from McLean Bible Church for doing cleaning projects.

 

To Kathleen Wind for providing funding to help a client get her "behind the wheel" driving training, putting her on the road to self-sufficiency.

 

To the nursing students of Marymount University for administering flu shots.  

 

To Lalitha Duddey for providing tickets for 19 clients to attend Disney on Ice at the Patriot Center.

 

To Ursula Jackson and the ladies of FOCUS for providing a children's Halloween Party.

 

To Let's Help Kids for providing Halloween costumes for children staying at the shelter.

 

To Freddie Mac for providing meals, special projects, bagged lunches, and more during their annual Mac Month.

 

To Eli Lily Pharmaceutical Company for doing a fall cleaning service project.

 

To Fox Mill Elementary School Student Council for taking the time to learn about ERCS needs and better promote their giving efforts to their school mates. 

 

To Edna Howard for doing facials and makeovers for our clients. 

 

 

In the News 

 

 

Reston Interfaith

11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston, VA 20190 

571-323-9555    

Click here to donate to Reston Interfaith