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!