by Rod Kuckro
The Del Ray Citizens Association is probably best known for a being a voice of reason on local development issues and protecting the Town of Potomac Historic District.
But if you’re not a member (and why aren’t you?), you might be surprised to learn that a large part of what DRCA does is raising money to support donations for both capital improvements in the neighborhood and one-time civic events such as Art on the Avenue.
The money is raised from events such as the biennial Del Ray House and Garden Tour, the Annual Chili Cook-Off, and from payments from the city for cleaning up Del Ray’s local parks as well as from annual dues paid by DRCA members.
In the past two years, here’s a rundown of DRCA’s contributions:
• $15,486 for the Del Ray Gateway Project and the Nancy Dunning Memorial Garden that are planned for the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Aves. For more information, see www.delraygateway.com
• $2,584 for Rebuilding Together Alexandria;
• $2,000 for the Alexandria Scholarship Fund;
• $2,000 for the Del Ray Halloween Parade;
• $1,000 for La Bella Strada;
• $500 for the Children’s Holiday Party;
• $500 for First Night;
• $500 in memory of Patsy Ticer;
• $500 to the Turkey Trot;
• $400 to Art on the Avenue;
• $400 to Kick the Habit;
• $250 to the TC Williams grad party; and
• $100 to the We Live Big project.
That does not include a donation in late 2016 of $12,000 toward the upcoming renovation of the Mt. Vernon Community School playground.
The association takes a summer break before meetings resume on Wednesday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the basement of the Del Ray United Methodist Church at the corner of E. Windsor Ave. and Clyde Ave. Watch the website www.delraycitizens.org for news and updates.
On Tuesday, August 7, DRCA will be sponsoring National Night Out at the Mt. Vernon School ballfields. Come out to meet and thank your first responders.
The DRCA has new officers. Annie Ebbers is President; Ellen Patrick is Vice President; Virginia Amos is Membership Director; Treasurer is TBD; Activities Director is Tom Ortiz; Secretary is Sean Crumley; Chief Information Officer is Skyler Yost; and Past President is Rod Kuckro.
Congratulations to Melanie Oliva, a bright, poised T.C. Williams senior and former Del Ray resident who is the recipient of the $1,000 2018 Del Ray Citizens Association scholarship.
She will attend George Mason University in the fall to study nursing.
Are you a member of the Del Ray Citizens Association?
Dues are only $25 per household, $20 for seniors (62 and older). And paying is simple using PayPal or a credit card. JOIN HERE!
See you around the neighborhood!
