Greetings

 

Autumn 2013 is filled with many activities important to the functioning of Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. In October we held our second annual event honoring all of our volunteers and donors. I am looking forward to handing out prizes at the Bradley Farms Haunted House in Herndon later this month. Plan to bring your family and friends as all proceeds are generously donated to FISH Assistance. Preparations are under way to provide food baskets for the upcoming holidays to those in need in our area.

 

Two weeks ago we distributed over $11,000 in assistance, the highest one week total in FISH's 44 years of serving the community. Within our service area there are a great many people who face economic difficulties and it is good that we can be a part of the safety net and make a difference. Please spread the word about Herndon-Reston FISH to your family, friends & neighbors to help us grow support.

 

At the October Financial Workshop, which is provided for individuals who have received assistance from us, a new Paper Management Mentoring program was introduced which offers 6-12 months of one on one help in learning to handle finances and other important things in an organized manner. Anne Strange, of Graceful Spaces, developed this program and has trained a few mentors. Eight people signed up for this assistance and we will need to train additional mentors to keep it going. Please let us know if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.

 

The pie charts below indicate how our heavy reliance on volunteers keeps our administrative expenses to a minimum. We would love to have additional people join one or more of our volunteer functions. The reward in serving as a volunteer is incredible, it is an opportunity to serve others, feel useful, and increase your friendship group all rolled into one.

 

Mark your calendar for FISH Fling 2014, our primary fund-raising event, which will take place on April 26, 2014!

  

Most sincerely, 

Janet L. Hyman

President

     

 

The Fall concert to thank FISH volunteers and donors was held
in October at Dominion Electric Power in Herndon. In addition to excellent food provided by the Board of Directors, the 50 attendees were entertained with outstanding music provided by Beverly Cosham and Felicia Kessel Crawley.

 

 

Jim O'Donnell

Jim has been taking FISH clients to medical appointments for approximately three years. He formerly was a FISH volunteer at the Bargain Loft, repairing and pricing electronic equipment. He made the switch to driving because of a desire to work more closely with people in the community, a decision which has been more than validated by his experiences over the years. It's obvious to Jim and others working with the Driving Program that it meets a very real need in both Herndon and Reston. For a number of the Program clients, it can literally mean the difference between getting to see their doctors or not. In addition, it can provide clients with an assurance that they are being served by caring, dependable people who are there to remove one of the many obstacles to their getting needed medical services.

 

Thanks to the following groups and individuals for contributions of $1,000 or more recently to FISH

  

Frank J. Abrams, Jr.

America's Charities

Nancy and David Cary

Tony and Marcia Di Trapani

Janet Hyman

Evea Newsom

Larry and Mary Kay Stine

The Closet in Herndon

United Christian Parish

United Way of the National Capital Area

RealNetworks Foundation  

 

FISH regrets the death of Michelle De Cou-Landberg, who was President of FISH from 1982-1985 and was honored at the 2006 FISH Fling for her service as past president. She volunteered for 7 years in the capacity of furniture coordinator and was the Thanksgiving basket coordinator for FISH. Michelle and her husband Erik have been yearly Fling sponsors with the Fran and Jim Grady Founders Group. Michelle was instrumental in setting up ESOL in FairfaxCounty elementary schools and in 1986 was honored as Reston Citizen of the Year. She was a wonderful, giving person who will be missed.