Help the Homeless Mini-Walk for Reston Interfaith

It's not too late to sign up for or donate to the Reston Interfaith Community Walk. This mini-Walk will be held on Sunday, October 23, at the Reston Heights - Sheraton & Westin Hotels. Registration starts at noon and the Walk will begin at 1:30 PM. After the Walk, enjoy live music and children's activities. The registration fee is $20 for youth and $30 for adults. If you cannot attend, please consider sponsoring a walker. For more information: Click here

Complete the Circle Event and Food Drive

This sounds like great fun and an excellent way to raise awareness about hunger right in our community: Our Daily Bread is hosting a community event this Sunday, October 16, from 2 to 5 PM in Fairfax City. Dozens of schools, civic groups, and faith communities will participate in a "living logo" and be photographed from 80 feet above ground. In addition to the Art for the Sky photo shoot, a live band will provide entertainment and refreshments will be provided. Tell your friends... and don't forget to take canned food for the food drive! For details, visit http://www.odbfairfax.org/CTCeventpage.

Helping Hungry Kids - Food Drive on August 20

A few volunteers are needed for our Food Drive this Saturday at the Fox Mill Giant. If you can help for just one hour, please contact Sandy at smamato@verizon.net or 703-405-2631. We have committed to preparing 200 packets per week this year -- quite a challenge, but one that makes a big difference for each and every child that receives extra weekend nourishment.

Grant Opportunities

New Grant Opportunities

The Community Foundation of Northern Virginia's annual Community Investment Grant cycle kicks off on August 2, 2011 for grants to be awarded in February, 2012. The Foundation is accepting applications from nonprofits serving Northern Virginia in the following fields:

• Poverty Relief
• Child and Youth Development
• Education
• Health, Mental Health and Aging
• Military Personnel and Families

Detailed information about these priorities for funding and a link to the online application are posted at www.cfnova.org. Applications are due October 7, 2011. 

Please note that organizations serving children and youth will have a second grant application opportunity this fall. The Future Fund, the Community Foundation's giving circle for young professionals, has chosen Child and Youth Development as the focus for grant making in 2011-2012. The Future Fund's grants committee will be seeking proposals for two grants of $25,000 each. 

Donations Needed for Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic

Please consider donating adult or children's multi-vitamins, calcium or Vitamin D supplements, pill sorters, Advil, baby (81mg) aspirin, bandages, antibacterial gel, gauze pads, alcohol pads, toothbrushes/toothpaste, personal care items, or almost any other first-aid or medical supplies for clients of the free clinic. Call 703-481-8160 or visit http://www.jsfreeclinic.org/.

Volunteers Needed for Flashes of Hope Camp Shoot-June 18

Our chapter of Flashes of Hope organizes photo shoots for kids with cancer and their families all year round, but during the summer a VERY SPECIAL photo shoot for the Reunion Family Weekend is held near Front Royal, VA. It is a fun and amazing day as families gather and our wonderful volunteer photographers and makeup stylists are on hand to commemorate the event. We need at least 5 volunteers to help out from 9AM-1PM (add an hour for travel time each way). Water and snacks will be provided. Contact Virginia at 703-476-4685 or bertnesv@aim.com. This is a great one-time volunteer opportunity!

Walk for Hope: May 21

Giving Circle of HOPE grant recipients Just Neighbors and the Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic are among six organizations who will host the first annual Walk for Hope on Saturday, May 21, at 9AM for the organizations at Connections for Hope in Herndon. Connections For Hope is a partnership of nonprofit organizations and other service providers that operate under one roof in Herndon to provide individuals and families in need with access to an integrated array of services.

After the 3mile/1mile Walk, learn about the important work undertaken at Connections for Hope while you enjoy music, awards, raffles, and kids activities.  Pre-registration for the walk is $30 for adults and $15 for kids.  For more information, please visit: https://bos.etapestry.com/fundraiser/HelpingChildrenWorldwide/walkforhope/.

Support Kids!

Kids R First, a Reston-based nonprofit, helps over 15,000 kids a year by providing school supplies or mini-scholarships. Here are some ways that YOU can help THEM help OTHERS:

• Volunteer for 2 hours to wrap gifts during May 6-8 at Appalachian Spring at Reston Town Center
• Sign up to play in their Golf Classic fundraiser on May 16 OR be a sponsor for the tournament
• Buy raffle tickets ($5 each or 5/$20), to be drawn at the Golf Classic
• Participate in the 2nd Annual Courtney Schilling 5K Walk/Run held at Forest Edge Elementary School in Reston on May 21

For more information, visit www.kidsrfirst.org or call 703-850-3639.

Alternative House Shop & Dine Benefit - May 2

Enjoy a private shopping event at the Dandelion Patch and wine pairing dinner at Bazin's on Church (both in Vienna) on May 2, while supporting Alternative House and their programs for at-risk children, teens, and families. A $25 donation provides admission to the private shopping event at 6 PM with hor d'oeuvres & champagne and 15% of sales also go to Alternative House. The 3-course dinner begins at 7:30 PM and costs $125 (including tax & gratuity), 10% of which goes to Alternative House. For more information, contact Gina_Cocomello@TheAlternativeHouse.org.

Countdown to Empty Bowls

The Giving Circle of HOPE will host its fourth annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for hunger relief on Friday, April 29, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Planning began months ago and now we're down to the final countdown (easy to remember since it's the same day as the Royal Wedding!). 

Tickets will sell out again this year, so buy them soon: simply send a check ($20 minimum donation per ticket), made out to Food for Others, to Giving Circle of HOPE, P.O. Box 8832, Reston, VA 20195, and they will be waiting for you at the door.

Your ticket entitles you to choose a beautiful, handcrafted bowl made by local potters and enjoy a simple supper of soup, bread, beverage, and dessert donated by the area's best restaurants and bakeries. We appreciate their generosity! 

Food for Others is the largest distributor of food to the needy in Northern Virginia. This event typically raises approximately $20,000 and every penny is important as more and more people need help in this economy.

Our cookbook, Soups From the Village, will be on sale at the event for $10. For more information, visit www.givingcircleofhope.org.

See you in 21 days!