COVID-19 Has Stolen Much from Alexandria
A year in, volunteers and nonprofit organizations have been doing a tremendous job serving those who are impacted the most. Read this touching letter from Marion Brunken.
By Marion Brunken, Executive Director, Volunteer Alexandria
Alexandria, VA – Dear Community Members,
I hope you are safe, warm, and well after a very tough year. Alexandria has adapted to the reality of a pandemic that will have a long-lasting impact. I want to update you on how Volunteer Alexandria is helping our community through this.
A year in, volunteers and nonprofit organizations have been doing a tremendous job serving those who are impacted the most. COVID-19 has taken so much, but it hasn’t stopped volunteers from serving individuals and families. We have not missed a single day recruiting and placing compassionate neighbors helping others in need.
This year, we made more than 10,500 connections and recorded 14,000 hours of service. We are currently assisting with vaccinations, mobilizing volunteers to bag and distribute groceries, delivering snacks and lunches for our school children, and much more.
The need is still there. The community still needs your help! Visit www.VolunteerAlexandria.org to review the opportunities and register to help.
I am sure that you agree that the volunteers in 2020 rocked. Volunteer Alexandria will celebrate all volunteers in April. We couldn’t do what we do without those who donate their time, talents, and skills. From April 18 through April 24, we will thank and honor the work of volunteers who support our nonprofit partners and our community. After all, Volunteers are the Heart of Alexandria!
With Spring2ACTion coming up on April 28, we ask for your financial support. A donation of $28.46 (the value of one volunteer serving for one hour) or any amount will enable us to mobilize the people our community needs. Visit www.spring2action.org/organizations/volunteers-alexandria to make your donation.
I hope you will join me in keeping Spring2ACTion alive. Please support our neighbors and community and donate to support Volunteer Alexandria’s efforts at this challenging time.
Thank you for your support, and stay well.
All the best,
Executive Director Volunteer Alexandria
Volunteer Alexandria Needs Help to Feed 1,000 Families
By Grace Billups Arnold
Starting now through June, Volunteer Alexandria needs 15 volunteers every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, to distribute school meals at curbside pop-ups and make home deliveries.
“We need volunteers who are committed and dedicated to this,” says Marion Brunken, executive director for Volunteer Alexandria. “We need people who can commit to a month, a week, or even one day. We just need people to commit,” she explains. Register to volunteer at www.volunteeralexandria.org/calendar, where you can choose days, times, and locations.
There are five distribution sites: curbside sites at Jefferson Houston School and T.C. Williams High School and three mobile sites. The curbside sites need two to three people each and the mobile sites need four people each. Distribution begins at 8:30 a.m.
Volunteer Alexandria has existed for 40 years; this year, volunteers’ efforts have been pivotal to the Alexandria community’s success. “We are better and stronger together,” Marion says. “It takes a school system, takes media, takes us all to serve those who suffer most. We would truly appreciate everyone coming out and supporting our community. Our work is not yet done.”
