Alexandria, VA – As fall approaches, the streets of Alexandria will soon be alive with festive gatherings, and the city’s famed knack for throwing spectacular parties will be in full swing. But our parties and events are rarely without purpose. Whether it’s a whiskey tasting or a car show, behind the revelry lies a deeper mission—to give back. Charity is at the heart of Alexandria’s festive spirit.
But have you ever wondered where the money from these charitable events goes? Many of us trust in good faith that our donations will make it to those in need. Yet, how often do we get to trace the impact it makes?
Zebra Press went along with Community Lodgings this summer, a local nonprofit serving low-income families, and saw it firsthand. Here, the effects of generosity are lived and felt daily. We met Nazareth, a ten-year-old coming to the organization’s learning center every summer for extra help with schoolwork.
“I love school, but I love coming here even more,” she said, beaming with pride. “They help me with everything—math, science, even writing short stories and poems. My parents work hard, so when I come here, it feels like my second home. I get to dream about my future—whether I want to be a doctor or a lawyer.”
Nazareth’s message to Alexandrians who contribute is simple but profound: “Please don’t stop. Don’t leave anyone behind.”
The community center is not just a place for academic support—it’s a lifeline for working families like Nazareth’s. Parents, often working long hours, find relief knowing their children are in a nurturing, supportive environment. And for Nazareth, it’s a place where dreams begin to take shape, unburdened by the distractions of home or the weight of life’s challenges.
Stephanie, another beneficiary of Alexandria’s charitable spirit, had a different journey. Homeless for several years, Stephanie found her way to Community Lodgings through a transitional housing program. Now 40, she pays 30% of her income for a unit provided by the nonprofit, but it’s much more than a roof over her head. For Stephanie, it was the start of reclaiming her dignity and finding a future for her family.
“I didn’t have a stable start,” she admitted. “I had kids young and wasn’t financially literate. When I lost everything, I was terrified of how it would affect my children. The worst part of homelessness is feeling powerless to protect your kids.”
Stephanie and her family now live in a fully furnished unit, and she’s making strides to rebuild her life step by step. With the help of a budget mentor, she’s learning financial skills she was never taught and planning for a stable future. “Community Lodgings helped me get past the fear and anxiety. Now, I’m an assistant teacher working toward becoming a lead teacher. My daughter feels normal again—she has friends, she has fun, and for the first time in a long time, we’re dreaming about the future.”
For Stephanie, the support from the Alexandria community didn’t just give her shelter—it gave her the strength to climb out of the darkness.
What makes Alexandria unique is its metropolitan feel blended with a deep sense of community. The charitable spirit here is impossible to miss. Every dollar donated has a tangible impact, from small events to city-wide fundraisers. As Lynne, the director at Community Lodgings, put it, “I started with humble beginnings, and I’m where I am today because of the kindness and support I received. I want to pass that on.”
Charitable donations in Alexandria give people like Stephanie their dignity back. They give children like Nazareth the tools to envision a future beyond today’s struggles. In doing so, they remind us all that charity isn’t just about giving money—it’s about giving hope, security, and the chance to dream again for those who fall through the cracks in our society.
As the holiday festivities draw near and the city comes alive with celebration, let’s remember the real magic behind Alexandria’s generosity. Every act of giving, every donation, helps transform a life, creating ripples of change that go far beyond what we can see.
