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Reston Interfaith Newsletter 

January  2012

 

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Dan Pizzo, Case Manager at ERCS, Hoyt Nelson Chick, Michael Britt, Case Manager for Fairfax County Intensive Community Treatment Team, and Jean Boston, Graceful Spaces

Starting the New Year in a Stable Home

 

Hoyt Nelson Chick has lived and worked in Fairfax County for over 50 years.  Like numerous military veterans, "Chick" as he is known by many, became homeless after a series of traumatic events. Beginning in 2004, he lived outside in the woods adjacent to the Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride lot in a tent in a makeshift camp. He worked part-time jobs and kept in touch with his ex-wife and two children. 

 

For the past seven years Chick has been a familiar face around the Embry Rucker Community Shelter (ERCS). He would come to the shelter to have a meal, shower, wash clothes, and receive medical care once or twice a week.

 

"The nurse at the shelter became my primary care physician," said Chick. The ERCS outreach staff who spent time visiting Chick at his campsite offered opportunities to stay at the shelter, but he resisted. The outreach staff continued to make sure he had what he needed to sustain himself outdoors.  Due to increasingly serious health issues, he eventually accepted assistance to locate housing. Click here to read more...

New Art in the Shelter

 shelter art  

An 18 foot long mural brightens the shelter main dining room. A special thanks to an anonymous donor for paying for the supplies to create the mural and to Ken Hinkel,  Resident Services Manager at the Shelter for designing and painting the mural. It took Ken about three months to complete the mural.

 

Volunteer Opportunities

 

Did you make a resolution to give back? Please consider donating your time to Reston Interfaith. The benefits of volunteering are endless.

 

Click here to learn more about our current volunteer opportunities. 

 

Gifts for Kids Drive Was Amazing 

momandchildreading   

Thank you to all the donors and volunteers who supported our 2011 Gifts for Kids Drive. Reston Interfaith collected gifts for over 1,300 children. 

Please know that your support is making a tangible difference to the families we serve. Receiving gifts and gift cards allow our neighbors in need to give something to their children and still have resources to pay bills and remain in their homes. 
 

 

Shelter & Community Center Needs

 

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It is easy to support our neighbors in need. Please consider donating the following items:

 

The ERCS Shelter needs:

 

- New and gently used blankets

- New sweatpants and sweatshirts

- New underwear for adults 

- New insulated socks

- $5 Target gift cards 

 

For more information, contact Susan Alger or call 571-323-1383. 
 
 
Donate Your Used Vehicle 
 
Do you have an extra vehicle and want to help transform one of our clients' lives? Donate your vehicle to Reston Interfaith and it will be given directly to a neighbor in need who needs transportation to get to work. 
 
For more information, contact Abby Kimble or call 571-323-9585.  

 

 

 

United Way Campaign -

Above and Beyond Response from RI Employees

 

Every day, Reston Interfaith employees see firsthand the critical need for resources and funding to support our programs and services. This year's United Way Campaign clearly illustrates their concern and commitment to helping others. Employee participation in the annual United Way Campaign is up 50 percent and giving is up 30 percent. Thanks to all the Reston Interfaith staff who gave generously! 

 

In Memory: Vade Bolton - Former Board Chair, Community Leader and Tireless Advocate

 

Vadeandjanet

Vade Bolton, one of Reston Interfaith's most dynamic volunteers, recently passed away. Vade and his wife Janet have been volunteers with Reston Interfaith and the Embry Rucker Community Shelter for many years. Vade served as the Chairman of Reston Interfaith Board of Directors from 2006-2008 and led the organization during a time of significant growth and visibility. Together, Vade and Janet have contributed thousands of hours of support to their community.  

 

Vade was a big picture leader and a compassionate hands-on volunteer. He worked at the front desk of the Embry Rucker Community Shelter and organized hypothermia prevention efforts in central Fairfax County with FACETS. He knew the faces of homeless families and individuals and was always there to offer support and friendship. With their contributions to Reston Interfaith, FACETS and many other organizations that help people in need, they have given the homeless a better chance to escape the despair of having no food or shelter, finding a job and a better chance at recovering the dignity and self-respect that comes from knowing someone cares. 

 

Vade, along with Janet, have been active members at Congregation Beth Emeth in Herndon. They helped raise $10,000 for the synagogue's "Acts of Loving Kindness" fund to address the medical and dental health needs of persons who are homeless. Funds have been used primarily for dental care for residents at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter and those living on the streets. 

 

Vade is survived by his wife and four children. Click here to donate to a memorial fund, which will support the health care needs of shelter clients and please note your donation is in honor of Vade Bolton.  


 

Capital Steps Benefit Performance - Laughing Never Helped So Much 

 

The 29th Annual Capitol Stepscap steps 2 performance to benefit Reston Interfaith returns Sunday, February 12, 2012. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Reston. The silent auction opens at 6:00pm and the show begins at 7:00pm.

 

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 seat reservations and sponsorship information. 


 

Keep the Giving Season Going All Year Long
 

During the holidays we receive an overwhelming amount of food and other donations of goods from our generous community.  It's very much appreciated, and quite heartwarming to see. Please keep in mind, homelessness is not a one season problem. As you make plans for the new year, consider giving and/ or volunteering with Reston Interfaith this spring and summer. June, July, and August are months when donations fall off drastically and the need is just as great for supplies, funding, and food.

 

 

Click here to learn ways to donate or click here to learn about our volunteer opportunities. 


 

Applause Applause gingerbread

 

Reston Interfaith is especially grateful during this time of year for all the amazing help provided by the community which is essential to support our clients.

 

To the Lopez Studios for donating the proceeds from their holiday CD sales and for providing a matching gift.

 

To the German Armed Forces Command US and Canada for donating the proceeds from their annual Christkindlmarket.

  

To the Bike Lane for accepting donations to assemble bikes and helmets for local RI children.

  

To Exxon Mobil for donating 30 bikes and other gift items. 

  

To Hyatt Regency Reston for donating funds from their holiday gingerbread display.

  

To the Colvin Run Elementary School 4th graders for creating bags filled with personal hygiene items.

 

To St. John Neumann Catholic Community, Knights of Columbus and Meredith Lindsey for helping with the Healthy Families Holiday Party.                            

 

To Front Porch Singers, Amerigroup, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, MallowDrama, Floris United Methodist Church, and Brush & Beret for supporting many different aspects of the Transitional Housing Holiday Party.

 

To Time Warner Cable & NISH Employees for helping sort holiday gifts.

 

To Potomac School for the ice skating and pizza party for the Herndon Enrichment Program kids.

  

From the Embry Rucker Community Shelter:

 

To Ginger Mahon and friends of the Wish List Project, which provides customized holiday gifts.

 

To Kathy Brennan, Wee Play, and the caring moms of the Wee Play network for supplying and running the Shelter's Elf Store and Santa's Workshop, and providing baby items for an expectant mother in need.

 

To Steve Timberlake and the staff and residents of the Paramount  for providing wish list items. 

 

To Girl Scouts from Service Unit 51-7, Ann Parrish and Theresa Howe for conducting a blanket drive.

 

To Anne Marie Pastro and friends for providing gifts from our wish list.


To Sonia Abbaspour and friends for catering a dinner.

 

To Navy Elementary School for the mitten and glove drive.


To Deltek for the hypothermia prevention bags.

 

To the Herndon Towne Square Singers and the Herndon Council for the Arts for providing clients tickets to their holiday concert.

 

To the Classical Ballet Theater of Herndon for providing tickets for their performance of "The Nutcracker."


To Patricia Wood and Long and Foster for coordinating a drive and providing holiday gifts. 

 

To Ingenix for donating cold weather items for our clients.  


To U.S. Geological Survey employees for participating in a wish list drive.


To St. Anne's Episcopal Church for providing 178 "bags of warmth."


To Swati Damle for providing drop-off catering.

 

To Susan Foose for hosting a holiday party.

 

To Heritage Fellowship Church for providing Christmas Dinner.

 

To Barnes and Noble of Reston and their terrific clients for all the wonderful book donations.

 

To Stuart Cohen for donating his extensive baseball card collection.

 

To the Holsten Family for donating the funds they raised caroling in their neighborhood.


To Joe Egan and Our Lady of Good Counsel for donating wish list items and gift cards.


To Alden Davidson and friends for the donating of holiday gifts and a generous contribution of wish list items.


To Dulles SHRM for a donating funds to buy tables and other needs.


To St. John Neumann Catholic Community for hosting a holiday party.

 

To Jean Pacelli, Mike Sneed, and Thuli Katerere for volunteering throughout the holiday season to organize and disburse community donations. 

  

 

In the News  
 
Reston Interfaith Mourns Former Chair Bolton
  
Making Holiday Wishes Come True Wish List Project for 2011 Holiday Season Wrapping Up 

    

'Tis The Season to Be a Good Neighbor 

   

Vietnam Veteran Gets a Home for the Holidays 

 

Reston Interfaith

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

571-323-9555    

Click here to donate to Reston Interfaith