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December 2016
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United Way: #8099
CFC: #79645
Jam With Us Tonight!

Join us this evening at 7:30 p.m. for a Music Makes Life Better show at Jammin Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna, VA 22180). The evening is headlined by Mama’s Black Sheep, Christine Havrilla and Naked Blue. Net proceeds benefit NVFS. While you are jamming, participate in a 50/50 raffle, bring much-needed cleaning supplies and paper products to be entered into a drawing for awesome door prizes, and more. Purchase $20 tickets here.

Shelter Made Festive!
We would like to thank a special group of military officers and enlisted women who helped decorate the Hilda Barg Shelter for the holidays. Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Sorority is an organization dedicated to support programs that service veterans and offer assistance to the local communities in which they live. Thanks to your generosity and giving spirit, Hilda Barg shelter residents are now enjoying a festive environment during a very difficult time in their lives.
Young Men’s Service League: Ultimate Gift

For the second year in a row, NVFS has been the very grateful recipient of the Ultimate Gift from Young Men’s Service League’s (YMSL) Oakton Chapter.

“Ultimate” is the perfect word to describe what they accomplished at the SERVE campus. Not only did YMSL purchase and assemble a much-needed new storage shed, but they also cleaned and organized the existing sheds, power-washed the sidewalk in front of the Hunger Resource Center, cleaned and sanitized the Early Head Start classroom, landscaped the entrance and front circle, and cleaned out our attic.

We are so thankful for the 110 moms and teenage sons who gave their Saturday to SERVE us with this Ultimate Gift!

Operation Turkey Brings Thanksgiving to 700 Families

More than 700 low-income families in Prince William County shared a special holiday meal together on Thanksgiving because of tremendous support from the community. More than 400 volunteers worked tirelessly the week leading up to the holiday to sort incoming donations, assemble and distribute meal packages, pack surplus food into boxes, and load surplus food into an 18-wheeler trailer (filled top to bottom, front to back). It was truly a remarkable effort and it ran so smoothly that you would think the volunteers did this every week of the year.

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered or donated to Operation Turkey – we are so grateful for your support! We would also like to extend a special thank you to just a few of those who went above and beyond:

  • Western Prince William Boy Scout troops for collecting and delivering more than 18,000 pounds of food, as well as every household that left packed Scouting for Food bags on their doorsteps.
  • Prince William County, Manassas City and Manassas Park City public schools for collecting xx,xxx pounds of food through food drives in all their schools.
  • Able Moving & Storage, Vulcan Materials Company and A1 Flood Tech for driving miles and miles to all the schools to pick up their donations and bring them to our Operation Turkey site.
  • Laura Marsh, incoming Friends of SERVE president, for volunteering more than 35 hours of her time during a five-day period with positive energy and enthusiasm that spread to all the volunteers making it a fun time for everyone. 
Fit Volunteering Into Your December Calendar

‘Tis the season of giving. If you want to volunteer during the December holiday season, here are a few special opportunities for you:

Holiday Party Helpers

Santa Needed!

Unstuff-a-Truck

Gifting for Families

Barnes & Noble Gift Wrapping and Book Drive

Hypothermia Season Is Upon Us

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Although many of us are able to go home every evening to a warm meal and a roof over our heads, not everyone in our community has this luxury. 

From Dec. 1 through March 31 each winter, our Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter (BCCS) operates the Hypothermia Prevention Program serving unsheltered homeless adults in the Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners areas.

This is only made possible through the joint effort of more than 50 faith, business and civic partners who provide shelter, food and resources to protect our most vulnerable neighbors during the coldest months of the year. Last year, with their generous support, we were able to protect 144 unsheltered individuals from the harsh winter elements.

Each night, BCCS transports Hypothermia Prevention guests to local faith communities where they stay overnight in the care of two BCCS staff members. The overnight host site rotates weekly among partnering faith communities, many of whom generously offer onsite meals, supplies and fellowship in addition to overnight accommodations. Their efforts literally save lives.

To learn more about supporting this vital winter program, check out our frequently updated list of donation needs or contact Meagan Perkins, Community & Volunteer Engagement Specialist, at mperkins@nvfs.org or 703.820.7621.

Only 31 Days Left for Year-End Giving!

Thank you for donating your time, talents and enthusiasm to NVFS. Every day, NVFS is giving people throughout Northern Virginia the chance to transform their lives, and building a stronger community for all of us. We truly could not do this without the help of our volunteers.

If you’re looking for other ways to make a difference, please consider making a year-end contribution today. You have an opportunity to maximize your impact by supporting all NVFS programs with a monetary donation or by asking family and friends to donate in your honor as their holiday gift to you.

Everyone deserves hope and a second chance. Our families dream of getting better jobs, helping their children excel academically, and finding a safe place to call home. With their hard work – matched with your investment – their dreams will become reality.

Please make a gift today. It’s easy – just visit us online at give.nvfs.org.

Volunteer Opportunities
Shelter Support Services – Do you enjoy a fast-paced environment with an endless variety of activities? Shelter Support Services volunteers at SERVE embrace the role of trouble-shooter as they greet and assist visitors and clients, field incoming calls, fill client supply requests, assist staff, and perform various administrative tasks. Times are flexible between 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Must be 18 years old. Contact Navara Cannon at 571.748.2536 or ncannon@nvfs.org.

Habla Espanol? Want to Help the Hungry? – Bilingual English/Spanish volunteers are needed to greet and check in clients coming for food assistance, updates their information and help them complete forms. Volunteers also monitor the food assistance line and return calls to schedule appointments. Volunteer hours are flexible Monday-Friday and include one evening shift on Wednesdays. Must be at least 18 years old. Good customer service skills are also important. All training is provided. Contact Navara Cannon at 571.748.2536 or ncannon@nvfs.org.

Meals at BCCS – NVFS Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter needs your help to feed our shelter residents and hypothermia guests’ dinner on weekday evenings, and lunch and dinner on weekends. What you can do:

  • Assemble a small group (maximum of 8 people, ages 12 and up) to provide and prepare dishes to serve family-style, donate individual bagged/boxed meals, or donate a catered meal.
  • Bring the meal to the shelter or prepare onsite in the shelter kitchen.
  • Join us in the kitchen to serve your meal to residents; or simply drop it off for our staff to serve!

We serve dinner from 6 7 p.m. and weekend lunch at 12:30 p.m. We welcome your donation! Contact Meagan Perkins at 703.820.7621 or mperkins@nvfs.org.

Interpreters Volunteers are needed to translate for clients in our mental health services office. We urgently need Spanish interpreters. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, able to maintain confidentiality and submit to a criminal background check. Contact Jamie Johnson at 571.748.2621 or jajohnson@nvfs.org

 

Northern Virginia Family Service
3110 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22042

571.748.2500

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