Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc
WINTER NEWSLETTER

In This Issue
President's Report
Join Us for an Evening of Fun
Holiday Parade
United Way Grant
Baywood Hotels
A Record Year
Thanks to Our Major Supporters
Food/Gift Baskets
The People we Help
Bargain Loft
Volunteering

President's Report 

February, 2013

 

We are so fortunate to have our highly skilled & dedicated volunteers. You enable Herndon Reston FISH to provide for those in our community who need help. This past Holiday Season we were able to provide over 260 families with food & gift baskets at both Thanksgiving and Christmas because of our generous community support and the leadership of Robyn Kampf.

 

Individual and corporate donations were at an all time high as we ended 2012. The Bargain Loft had record setting sales, and a great many customers were able to obtain things to make their holidays special while providing income for our ongoing assistance work. FISH provides financial assistance to over 100 families each month, distributing an average of $25,000 per month to meet rent, utility, medication & transportation needs.

 

Recently, the Washington Post had an article on the challenges of being a volunteer in Russia, where the government disapproves of people voluntarily helping others. Thankfully, it is not that way here in the United States. I will be participating with a Fairfax County task force which will review the process by which County Grants to non-profits are decided. The value of volunteers is so recognized by our government, that we may review the process through which they distribute funds.

 

Preparations for FLING 2013 are moving along. Read the article below for more information.

 

Most sincerely, 

Janet Hyman, President

Join Us For An Evening Of Fun

 

Fling-sign   

    

The 8th annual FISH Fling will be held Saturday, April 20 at the Crowne Plaza Dulles Hotel in Herndon. This is our main fund raising activity for the year and we hope to raise $60,000 to help those in need in the Herndon/ Reston area. Please plan to join us for a fun evening of dinner, dancing, games, raffles, and silent and live auctions. Once again the Free Tom Band will donate their time and provide lively dance music. Over 100 items will be available for the silent auction and some treasures, will be offered in the live auction after dinner.

 

Invitations to the Fling will be issued in March. If you do not receive an invitation and would like to attend, please email [email protected] or call 703-582-3260 after March 15. Tickets will be $85.00 per person until April 10th. After that they will be $100.00.  

 

We encourage Sponsorships with recognition in the program for corporations, civic groups and individuals. Consider being a ---

            King FISH for $10,000 (includes 10 tickets)  

            Angel FISH for $5,000 (Includes 10 tickets)

            Big FISH for $2,500 (includes 8 tickets)

            Gold FISH for $1,000 (includes 6 tickets)

            Sail FISH for $500 (includes 4 tickets)

            Sun FISH for $250 (Includes two tickets)

Find more details about the Fling and Sponsorship levels by going to www.HerndonRestonFISH.org and click on Events.  

(Note: Unfortunately, due to earlier contributions, our Virginia State income tax credits offered through the Neighborhood Assistance Program for contributions over $500 will not be available.)

Holiday Parade

    Parade 2012

  
Once Again, FISH participated in the Reston Town Center Parade.  With the help of Board members, friends, and Juniors and Cadets from Reston Girl Scout troop 1931, a good time was had by all as we let the public know about FISH. A truck in the parade carried musicians who played music along the way. We thank Tom Cooper and Christine Hortung on trumpet, Wes Amonett on tuba, and Mary Kay Stine on euphonium. 

United Way Grant

Fairfax County 2013 Grant      

In January, our Executive Director, Gale Napoliello, accepted a grant for FISH from the United Way Community Impact Fund.  FISH was one of 20 grant recipients participating in the award ceremony at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors conference room. Gale is holding the right side of the check.

Baywood Hotels Donation

 

Baywood Properties Donation 

 

Thanks to Amanda Sellman (on the right), FISH was entered in a regional competition sponsored by Baywood Hotels in Maryland. Each region had activities to raise funds. FISH was selected as the winning nonprofit for this region, competing with three other nonprofit groups. Shown receiving a check from Baywood Hotels, from the left is Beau Athia, June Campola-Priesner, Mia Merin (FISH), Janet Hyman (FISH President), Ryan Lee and Amanda Sellman.

President - Janet Hyman 

Executive Director - Gale Napoliello 

Newsletter Managing Editor - Mary Jo Baedecker   

 

FISH is a member of the following campaigns: 

 

United Way Campaign No. 8359

UW Logo

Combined Federal Campaign No. 83534

 CFC Logo

A Record Year

BL 2012 Xmas 
  Our thrift shop, the Bargain Loft had the "best ever" year in sales during the holidays thanks to our managers Barbara Williams and April Elliott. Holiday shop sales and donations were $25,687 from November 20 - January 5th.  As usual the store was beautiful. 

Thanks to Our Major Supporters

 
Thanks to the following groups and individuals for contributions over $1,000 received this quarter.
  
Gary & Josephine Brown
J. Timothy Bryan
Marcia Di Trapani
Haze Hanna
Diane & Philip Hunter
Babette Husson
Evea Newsom
Eric Newsom 
Carolyn Olson 
Exxon Mobile Foundation
JV Schiro Zavela Foundation
National Rural Telecommunications Corp.
The Closet
John & Hilda Arnold Foundation
Sallie Mae, Inc.
United Christian Parish
United Way of the National Capital Area
Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, Inc.
Reston Community Center
Volkswagen Group of America,
Bradley Farm Homeowners Association
Nelson J. and Katherine Friant Post Foundation
Kendall Philanthropic Gift Fund
United Way Community Impact Fund
Baywood Hotels, Maryland 

Food/Gift Baskets

  

Food/Gift Baskets 2012  

Robyn Kampf (left) and JoAnn Bordeaux sorting toys
  
For the holidays FISH provided food baskets and a $20 grocery gift card for perishable food to 261 households, helping 669 people. Toys were provided to 257 children and $25 gift cards were given to 59 teenagers. 
  
Thanks to
National Realty
Fairfax County Motorcycle Squad
Reston Quilters Unlimited
United Christian Parish
Robyn Kampf, Coordinator
44 Volunteers 
  

The People We Help

A client was released from the hospital and required several expensive medications. Her social worker asked FISH for assistance with one of the medications. We agreed to cover the medication and no other requests were made.

 

A client resident of one of the Fellowship Houses suffers from multiple allergies and requires a special air filter in the room to minimize reactions. The existing equipment failed and FISH was asked for assistance to purchase a new unit.  Because the cost was over our limit, FISH was able to pay rent for 3 months so the individual could afford the new unit. 

 

A single mother of 3 children under 18 asked for rent assistance. Three trips to the emergency room for her children depleted her savings.  FISH paid part of the rent after the client paid her portion.

The Bargain Loft

Please continue to donate your unwanted items to the Bargain Loft.

 

 The hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 10-3 and Saturday 10-4. 

Call 703-437-0600 for questions about donations.

 

Volunteering

  Volunteers are needed to:

 

-work at the Bargain Loft as cashiers or sorting merchandise.

 

-help with Family Assistance to receive telephone calls and process the information.

 

-drive those in need  to medical appointments.

  

To volunteer call 703-391-0105 and leave your name and contact information.

Quick Links

Find us on the Internet

www.HerndonRestonFISH.org


FISH and The Bargain Loft are on 
Facebook.com

 
If you're on Facebook, be sure to show us to your friends by "liking" us
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The Bargain Loft sells on eBay!

 

under the name


 DownstairsUpstairs