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2014 Making a Difference Winner   

Ms. Abigail Belayneh received the ACCA 2014 Making a Difference Award on June 5 during the senior awards ceremony at Annandale High School. Abigail's essay on volunteerism focused on her service at Lincolnia Senior Center and the Wegene Ethiopian Foundation, which assists families in poverty in Ethiopia. Ms. Jina Kim of Evergreen Title Company in Annandale sponsors the ACCA award, which includes a plaque and a check for $500. Abigail will attend the University of Maryland Easter Shore in the fall. You can read her essay online.

Weed Warriors Wanted    

The all-volunteer ACCA Food Pantry garden donates its fresh harvest to needy families served by the Food Pantry. Since the labor is great and the workers are few, we invite individuals and churches that don't have their own gardens to participate in ACCA's garden ministry. Currently we need workers to assist with harvesting and packaging the vegetables for distribution, watering and weeding. The garden is located near the Food Pantry on the grounds of the Child Development Center. Email Amy Metzel, abmetzel@gmail.com, if you are interested in helping out.  

Independence Day Celebration at CDC  

Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Anne Lecos    

Mary Anne Lecos has served ACCA in a variety of roles.

On June 30, Mary Anne Lecos completed almost 15 years of service on the ACCA Board as an Official Representative (OR) from St. Anthony's, Development Committee Chair, Vice President and President. In a recent interview, she reflected on her the importance of serving others, her long career in Fairfax County, and ACCA.

While growing up in a federal housing project and attending Catholic schools and DePaul University in Chicago, Mary Anne learned that "many people needed help and we have a moral responsibility to care for them."  (Continued. Read the full profile here.)  

Thanks to Lake Barcroft Women's Club  

The Lake Barcroft Women's Club recently gave ACCA a donation of $4,700. Mary Anne Lecos were on hand to accept the donation. The Women's Club has donated to ACCA in the past and we  appreciate their generous support! 

Family Emergency Assistance 

In May ACCA provided $11,850 and in June $7,960 in assistance for rent, utilities and medical expenses. In May, we were still seeing the effects of this year's very cold winter. A grandmother who takes care of her two grandchildren had high utility bills coupled with the need for automobile repairs. She was unable to pay her electric bill. ACCA stepped in to prevent the electricity from being shut off. In June, ACCA served a family with five small children. The father, a limo driver, had suffered a stroke and lost income while recovering. He has now returned to work and ACCA was able to assist the family by paying their overdue rent. 

There were numerous examples in May and June of how your gently used furniture has provided new life and hope for others. Volunteers recently delivered a dining table and chairs to a special shelter that houses six families including eight children. More recently, they provided furnishings for an apartment in Falls Church for a refuge family who were moving from a county shelter to a sponsored apartment. This family had endured many trials and interim homes, but now has a furnished apartment to call home.

On August 23, the annual Furniture Program review and planning meeting will be held at St. Alban's Church on Columbia Pike, beginning with breakfast at 10:00 am. The 2014-15 calendar will be distributed. County representatives and other partners who support the program will join volunteer coordinators and warehouse managers in planning for next year.

In May transportation volunteers served seven clients. In June, 10 rides were provided for 10 clients.

The Annandale Meals on Wheels volunteers made 399 deliveries to 20 clients in May, and 404 deliveries to 21 clients in June. If you know of someone who could benefit from Meals on Wheels, please contact Cheri White at cwhite8333@gmail.com.