The Twig, Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital Donates $100,000 to the Inova COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Fund

Alexandria, VA — On Friday, May 22, The Twig, Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital presented $100,000 to the Inova COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Fund. Twig’s contribution to this fund helps Alexandria meet the escalating needs of COVID-19 patients by providing for additional staffing, personal protection equipment for our front line heroes, specialized equipment for the unique needs of COVID-19 patients, increased services for homebound families, and other resources to address the rapidly changing situation. The Twig’s contribution will be used exclusively for use at Inova Alexandria.

In attendance to receive the funds were Dr. Stephen Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer at Inova Health Systems; Dr. Rina Bansal, President of Inova Alexandria Hospital; Shannon Hiskey, Executive Director, Philanthropy – East Region, Inova Health Foundation; and Emily Chuma, Philanthropy Office at Inova Health Systems.

Since its founding in 1933, The Twig has donated over $4 million to the hospital for a variety of projects, and provides an annual Nursing Scholarship to a member of the nursing staff to advance their nursing career. The Twig operates a Thrift Shop in Old Town, Alexandria, located at 106 North Columbus Street, and contributes to other areas in the community. Its voucher program provides clothing to the Lazarus Program at Christ Church & St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Carpenter’s Shelter, Vietnam Veterans and Central Union Mission. Additionally Twig provides blankets and linens to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) for animal bedding.

The Twig also hosts the Historic Alexandria Homes Tour in September each year providing patrons with the opportunity to view beautiful historic homes in Old Town. Unfortunately, the tour has been cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Twig, Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital is an organization of women dedicated to providing financial aid, volunteer service, and support to Alexandria Hospital. The Twig was founded by a group of twenty-four women who gathered at the home of Mrs. Julian T. Burke to form the organization. They took the name “The Twig” from a contest entry by Mrs. Nellie Sommers Blackwell; this described the organization as a small branch of the “tree” which supported the hospital.

The Twig is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization located in Alexandria, Virginia.