See something in this newsletter you like? ACCA encourages members to distribute the newsletter via a link on your website or e-newsletter. If you are not on our mailing list and want to continue receiving updates from ACCA, please 
|
Please Like ACCA on Facebook
(click the button)
|
|
Reminder - support ACCA through your workplace: |  Combined Federal Campaign CFC #58934
United Way #8058
Commonwealth of Virginia #8233
Or Give Online:
|
Contact Information | Mailing Address 7200 Columbia Pike Annandale, VA 22003
Information 703-256-0100
Emergency Assistance (Fairfax County) 703-222-0880
Donations (except furniture) 703-256-0100
Furniture Donations 703-256-9513
Email accacares@verizon.net
ACCA Website www.accacares.org
|
ACCA's Mission |
The Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA), is a non-profit coalition of 26 Annandale-area churches which has been helping the needy in our community for more than 44 years. To learn more about ACCA, visit our website at www.accacares.org.
|
 |
Annual Report for
FY 2013. Click to View
|
|
Next Meeting |
The next meeting will be on
December 3 at
Warner Baptist Church
3613 Lacy Blvd. Falls Church, VA 22041
Refreshments and fellowship - 7:30 p.m.
Meeting - 7:45 p.m. Open to all visitors. |
|
|
|
ACCA Hosts Pastors & Partners
| Don Di Spirito, Chair of the Furniture Ministry, welcomes the Rev. Leopoldo M. Vives, pastor of Queen of Apostles Catholic Church. Click the photo to see more pictures from this year's luncheon and while you are there, please like the ACCA Facebook page. |
Clergy and other representatives from at least 16 local congregations were present at ACCA's annual Pastors and Partners luncheon, held October 17 at Annandale United Methodist Church. Also in attendance were Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross, Deputy County Executive Patricia Harrison, Mason District Police Capt. Carol Wilhite and representatives of the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, Falls Church Service Council, Baileys Community Shelter, Shelter House at Seven Corners, Annandale High School, Rebuilding Together, and Annandale Rotary Club.
ACCA Child Development Center Director Isabel Ballivian and staff members presented an inspiring presentation on the history of the ACCA CDC. Founded in 1967 as a response to the critical need for safe, affordable child care for low-income working families, the CDC now serves 183 children daily and has earned a 4-Star rating from the Virginia Star Quality Initiative.
ACCA is grateful to Annandale United Methodist Church for hosting the luncheon and Giant Foods Annandale for donating the food.
|
Challenge Grant Launched
November marks the beginning of ACCA's annual Challenge Grant Campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise $3 for every dollar already committed by our generous donors -- the Washington Forrest Foundation ($18,000) and anonymous donors ($21,000) - for a total of $156,000. Funds raised will be used to support ACCA's mission of providing affordable child care, food, rental assistance, furniture and other services to low income families in the Annandale/Baileys Crossroads areas.
Donors can give with confidence that your dollars will be put to work close to home. And all services, except for the Child Development Center, are provided by volunteers. This keeps overhead low and helps build a stronger community. There are various ways to give: send a check payable to ACCA, 7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 22003 or give online via the Catalogue for Philanthropy. Please note "Challenge Grant" on your donation. The campaign runs through January 2014.
|
Clip and Save Food Pantry List
In October, the Food Pantry assisted 98 families.The following food staples are always needed by the Food Pantry. Clip and save this list to carry with you when you grocery shop so you can pick up a few needed items. Drop them off at any ACCA member church.
· Dried beans
· Rice
· Spaghetti sauce
· Cereal
· Canned fruit
· Cookies
· Tomato paste
· Cooking oil
· Flour (small bags)
· Sugar (small bags)
|
Catalogue Envy
Hundreds of organizations vie for inclusion in a local catalog that features only the best community-based charities in the metro-DC area. Organizations go through a three-stage evaluation process so that donors can be assured the included organizations are vetted, excellent, and trustworthy. There is only one Catalogue for Philanthropy and ACCA is pleased and proud to be included again this year. You can request a copy of the Catalogue here or make a donation to ACCA through the Catalogue's website here.
|
Combined Federal Campaign Extended
Due to the partial government shutdown, the Combined Federal Campaign will be extended to January 15th. If you have not yet pledged, please consider donating to ACCA via the CFC. Our agency code is 58934. ACCA also participates in the Unite Way, agency code 8058.
|
New Meals on Wheels Coordinator
Ms. Cheri White was out for a routine walk with her dog when she happened on a weekly bulletin from St. Anthony's Catholic Church lying on the ground. That's where she saw the notice that ACCA was looking for a new coordinator for the Meals on Wheels program. The rest is, as they say, history.
Retired after 32 years as a legal secretary, Cheri says she is concerned about hunger in our country. "I don't understand how so many people can be hungry in this county. If everybody did one thing, we could fix this problem," she said. Cheri also volunteers for the Capital Area Food Bank. And she helps transport rescue dogs to their new homes. Welcome, Cheri.
We thank to Donna Casey, a long-time and very dedicated volunteer, for minding the program until a new coordinator could be identified. In October, the Meals on Wheels program served 20 people who received a hot meal and food for a cold supper. In all, volunteers made 411 deliveries of 822 meals.
|
Family Emergency Assistance
ACCA provided $20,800 in assistance to 51 households in October. Sometimes, extraordinary expenses result in clients being referred to ACCA for assistance. Among those served this month was a person who had two deaths in the family and large funeral bills to pay. ACCA was able to help with rent for this individual. Another client recently relocated to this area in order to escape domestic violence and needed help with rent while searching for employment. Yet another client got a new job, but was unable to afford the required uniforms and shoes. ACCA assisted with the cost of the uniforms, enabling this client to earn an income. On behalf of all who are served, thank you to our donors who made this assistance possible.
|
During October, ACCA Furniture crews made deliveries to 24 households, representing 106 individuals, in addition to making 26 pickups of donated furniture.
ACCA also delivered three truckloads of furniture to Queen of Apostles for its annual furniture drive to the poor in Appalachia. This is our fourth year participating in the annual drive coordinated by Queen of Apostles in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus.
Churches and organizations providing volunteers included St. Michael's, Holy Spirit and St. Anthony's Catholic Churches, the Annandale Rotary Club, St. Alban's Episcopal, and Annandale United and Immanuel Methodist Churches.
|
Outerwear Clothing Drive
Preparations are underway for the annual outerwear clothing drive for day laborers and shelter residents, coordinated by the Furniture Program. The clothing drive will be collecting winter coats (jackets only), hooded sweatshirts, winter sweaters, gloves and hats (no dress hats please). Donated clothing will be collected Monday through Thursday, December 2 - 5, by appointment, or may be dropped off at the ACCA furniture warehouse on Nov. 30, between 10 a.m. and noon. The warehouse is located at the Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike (next to the white historical chapel).
To arrange a drop-off at the ACCA warehouse or pick-up of donated clothing please call Don or Mary Lee Di Spirito at (703) 256-9513. Clothing should be arranged in bags and marked "men" or "women," depending on the contents. Thanks for helping those in need!
|
Transportation
ACCA volunteers provided 24 rides for 10 clients to medical appointments in October.
|
Thanksgiving Worship Service Save the date for the annual community ecumenical Thanksgiving Worship Service to be held Tuesday, Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m. at Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale. The offering will be donated to the Challenge Grant for the work and ministry of ACCA. For details, click the image or download the flyer here.
|
|
|
|