SCAN’s first ever Croquet Day is almost here! On May 18th from 12:00 - 5:00 PM at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, teams will gather for some friendly competition and to enjoy a variety of games, food and drinks. If you haven’t registered your team yet, now’s the time! No worries if you haven’t played since you were a kid – no experience is required!
Friday April 12, Carpenter’s Shelter experienced a fire. We were very fortunate to identify the fire quickly thanks two of our fearless volunteers who alerted the staff immediately. Fortunately no one was injured.
We have had an amazing outpouring of concern and support from the community. While the fire damage was minimal, the shelter experienced extensive smoke and water damage. The total cost of the damage is estimated to be over $42,000. Carpenter's Shelter is fortunate to have insurance cover a portion of the cost, however, the restoration of the shelter will cost the shelter over $10,000 in out of pocket expenses.
Sadly, Spring2ACTion is officially over. But today, we get to celebrate the results and the amazing generousity of our community. With your help, we raised $659,591 from 5,872 givers in just 24 hours! Thank you, thank you, thank you! None of this would be possible without YOU!
ACT for Alexandria and ACTion staff are deeply saddened by the tragedy yesterday at the Boston Marathon and extend our deepest sympathies to all affected.
It’s kitten and puppy season and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is hosting a baby shower to collect items needed for its foster care program. Animal lovers and prospective foster parents are invited to attend the shower at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter to learn more about the foster care program, meet current foster parents, and donate items from the Foster Care Wish List
It's puppy and kitten season and the doors of the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter are open to the unplanned and unwanted litters. You can help our puppies and kittens start life on the right paw by coming to the AWLA Baby Shower with a gift from our Foster Care Wish List.
Originally posted by Patrick Boyle at SparkAction.
As more community leaders around the country see the value of creating a youth master plan, many of them wonder about the critical task of getting good public input—that's why Alexandria is inspiring its residents to get involved.
Well, it’s done! The apartment building at 612 Notabene Drive has been turned into a building that any of us would be proud to call home. Through the thorough plans of architect John Savage and the magic of Pulte Homes and their amazing vendors and sub contractors, our old building is new again. The transformation began on September 12th and the building is now completely beautiful, inside and out. The furnishings are brand new thanks to Fran and Gant Redmon, who hosted a fundraiser that helped to cover that cost.
Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market's Mission
The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provides an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strives to reflect the diversity of the community, and improves the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run Park and the surrounding neighborhood.
Hmm...what was going this weekend again? Oh, right! National Day of Service and the Inauguration!
It's going to be a cold week, but Saturday is looking good which is the perfect opportunity to volunteer and do service for National Day of Service. Monday, President Obama will be sworn in. How many of you are going?
If you don't have any plans this weekend, here are some events that'll get you out and about.
The City is writing up their first Alexandria Youth Master Plan - a road map that ensures all youth from 0 to 21 thrive!
Be part of the process at any one of the planned community dialogues in February. We want as much input from the community as poosible, so there are three dates that you can come to participate:
Saturday, Feb. 9, 10am - Noon TC Williams Cafeteria, 3330 King St.
Monday, Feb. 11, 6:30pm - 8:30pm Charles Houston Center, 901 Wythe St.
At Home in Alexandria is an all in one stop for information and services for Alexandria's senior citizens. AHA! provides members of the program with service ranging from doctor appointments to home repair to grocery shopping. Senior citizens are able to receive assisstance from the program to live their daily life, while still independent and not relying on family or friends to do every task for them.
This popular fundraiser returns for the 19th year, with all proceeds to benefit United Community Ministries, which provides comprehensive assistance programs for low-income individuals, families, and neighborhoods.
For more than 25 years, The Child and Family Network Centers has been working to prevent at-risk children from failing out of school. The CFNC belives that the success of students starts at a young age and therefore provides a free and fully accredited preschool for poverty stricken families in Northern Virginia. Currently over 200 children and families receive support from The Child and Family Network Centers throughout there six sites in Alexandria and Arlington.
Rebuilding Together Alexandria brings volunteers, communities, and resources together to improve the homes and lives of Alexandrians in need. Their vision for Alexandria is a vibrant community where people of all income groups and cultures live in safe and healthy homes. Their goal is to impact the overall quality of life for residents in the City of Alexandria in many ways including maintaining affordable housing, revitalizing communities, and stabilizing low- and moderate-income areas by eliminating blight in many neighborhoods. They are dedicated to repairing and rehabilitating homes free of cost for those in need, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, military veterans, and families with children.
Oh, SNAP! Newark mayor, Cory Booker, is doing the SNAP Challenge to help educate locals on what it's like to live off of food stamps (SNAP) for a whole week and raise awareness about poverty. We're looking forward to doing the challenge, too. But this challenge is also a lesson on health and nutrition.
You can give our homeless cats the gift of comfort this holiday season by donating a cat bed from Kuranda. We're collecting 100 cat beds before the end of the year, and donating through Kuranda earns you a 28% donation discount! Donate today at www.Kuranda.com/donate/2274
Tenants and Workers United builds the power of the low-income community of color – primarily immigrants – to create changes that positively impact the quality of their (our!) lives in Northern Virginia. They organize and support people to be agents of change in their own lives, addressing the issues of most importance to them. They address, lack of quality, affordable healthcare, inequities in public education, immigrant rights, affordable housing, the rights of low-wage workers.
Every year, Fund for Alexandria's Child tries to extend the season of giving to hundreds of people in need in Alexandria. And you can help just by giving a little of your time!
This year, you can sponsor a family, senior citizen or disabled individual, foster child, or foster teen. You can help with your time by volunteering or with your resources by donating gifts.
“When you are truly sharing with no expectation of your kindness being returned, it doesn’t matter whether you get credit. In fact, it’s better if you don’t. Your spirit is expanded by anonymous generosity.”
This quotation inspires us as we begin our outreach for the annual Holiday Sharing Program.
With regular season ended, this Sunday, 4MRMarket morphs into the Four Mile Run Holiday Market.
THIS JUST IN: C&T Produce has offered to donate 10% of sales to the Red Cross to aid Hurricane Sandy storm relief!!
Come look for us inside the Four Mile Run Park building. While smaller than the regular season, there will be plenty of produce and specialty items available to help you prepare for Thanksgiving in a couple weeks.
Thanks to your generosity and the RunningBrooke Fund, we were able to give 85 coats to 85 kids in need!
As temperatures drop and we reach for our coats, it’s a good time to remember that for hundreds of children in Alexandria, having a warm winter coat is not a given.
Virtual Walkers Needed! ALIVE! is thankful to everyone who participated in Sunday's East End Congregations' Community Walk and Meet and Greet at ALIVE! House. This was the last community walk to help us raise funds under this year's Fannie Mae Help the Homeless program. The bad news is ...
Sandy is still pounding her way northward into to Canada as millions here on the eastern seaboard and Carribean are still recovering. Although the DMV area had significant damage, the Carribean, New Jersey, New York, parts of Connecticut and West Virginia are devastated.
Some quick facts about the aftermath:
More than 65 people lost their lives in the Carribean
74 people were killed in the US
More than 1 million people are displaced after evacuating the area
In New York, 6,100 people stayed in shelters
More than 6.2 million people are still without power
We at ACTion Alexandria hope that you are safe at home and with friends or family. Unfortunately, over a hundred thousand Northern Virginians lost power and too many had trees fall on their homes or cars. The entire East Coast was devastated by Hurricane Sandy - most notably in New Jersey and New York.
If you've got a smart phone, you might want to download some of these apps to keep you informed on Hurricane Sandy and get alerts from local and national government.
A lot of damage can happen during a storm and we want to make sure you all stay safe. So we've compiled a list of advice for you on what to do. If you have any other tips please add them to the comments and we'll update this post.
Be prepared this weekend as Sandy, also known as "Frankenstorm" is coming up the Eastern Seaboard
The National Capital Region has the potential for impacts from Hurricane Sandy beginning sometime late Sunday into Monday.The National Weather Service anticipates a Sunday into Monday change in weather to include some rain (1" to 2" depending) and NNW winds 15 to 20 MPH.The storm is expected to impact us overnight Sunday into early Monday, continuing into Tuesday, bringing us higher winds and rainfall.NWS forecasters note the main concerns are wind damaged trees and downed power lines. Please note: this storm has made several changes in the past 24 hours so any shift further West could bring more significant rainfall and much greater wind gusts.
Stunning orange, yellow and red leaves hang from trees and are beginning to fall. Soon these glorious fall days and those leaves will be a distant memory. Whether sweltering in the summer or freezing in the winter, on the last Saturday of the month, there is a local Alexandria nonprofit called ALIVE! that is out in full force with an army of volunteers. This is a story about a community coming together for the sake of the most vulnerable.
Helping the homelessness at Carpenter’s Shelter is so much more than giving those in need a warm place to sleep. At Carpenter’s Shelter we work to identify and correct the root cause of homelessness. We are dedicated to the success of our residents while they’re living in the shelter but more importantly, once they are living on their own in the community. Statistically, 28% of individuals’ recently experiencing homelessness become homeless again within a year. Thanks to your continued support, last year, only 5% of our residents became homeless again. This is a tremendous step toward our mission to help the homeless achieve sustainable independence.
Autumn is a season of transition, and each year we marvel at the leaves changing color and falling to the ground. It is only fitting that October, the peak period of fall foliage, is Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month. While each season is temporary, the change you will make in a dog’s life by adopting is forever. But don’t take our word for it. See why the kids in the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s Youth Volunteer Program think you should adopt!
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Founded in 1990, we are headquartered in Arlington, VA. We build homes in Arlington and Fairfax Counties as well as the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax.
The Child and Family Network Center is once again asking for help so they can provide each of their kids a new coat.
There are 136 kids that need a coat --just sign up below and a CFNC coordinator will send you a child's name, size and even what color they prefer. All you need to do is buy it and drop it off at A Show of Hands.
Invite family, friends, and neighbors to Lone Star Steakhouse (3141 Duke Street) on Saturday, October 20th, anytime for lunch or dinner and Lone Star will donate 15% from your dinner receipt to ALIVE! in memory of Ian Daughtrey. Ian had been an ALIVE!
Invite family, friends, and neighbors to Lone Star Steakhouse (3141 Duke Street) on Saturday, October 20th, anytime for lunch or dinner and Lone Star will donate 15% from your dinner receipt to ALIVE! in memory of Ian Daughtrey.
Fall is here and the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market is in the homestretch. We have a great year of fantastic products and now we head into another season with more to offer.
Adopting a shelter animal is an amazing way to change lives. Not only are you rescuing a homeless animal in need, but your life and the lives of your family members are sure to change as well. Many of us want to help homeless animals in any way possible, but the reality is that adoption simply isn't an option for everyone. However, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria's foster care program is an excellent alternative for animal lovers that are able to provide temporary care.
ACTion Alexandria is proud to announce we're cosponsoring an Alexandria mayoral and City Council Candidate Forum Sponsored with the Alexandria Branch of the NAACP and Patch on Monday, October 15, 2012 at George Washington Middle School’s auditorium from 7:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M.
Even better than sponsoring a candidate forum, we're giving you an opportunity to be a substantial part of it.
This week we have an interactive, kid-friendly show by the Kate Moran Band from 11am-noon plus a second collection for St. Rita's Annual Clothing Drive. See below for more details on both.
Dine at Del Ray Pizzeria this week (September 16–22, 2012) Starting Sunday, and with your donation of at least $3, DRP will give you a free dessert. Donations will support NOVAM’s Kids Kloset, which provides new mothers affected by HIV with infant layettes, baby equipment and monthly diapers.
What’s the best way to help Alexandria’s homeless animals? Obviously, adoption is the best and most immediate solution for the current residents of the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, but what about the next generation of unwanted and abandoned animals? And if you’re like most of the staff and volunteers at the shelter, or most of Alexandria for that matter, what do you do if you already have a home full of animals?
The inaugural Alexandria Shelter Walk for Homeless Animals is less than two months away, and you can join us by registering online today. Create a Walk team, register as an individual walker, or find a team to join. No matter how you choose to participate, you'll be helping Alexandria's homeless animals receive the love and care they deserve until they find permanent homes.
What's Next, Alexandria? is a City of Alexandria initiative to begin a conversation about how Alexandrians can best participate in shaping Alexandria's future.
On Tuesday September 4th, the transformation of one of Community Lodgings’ five apartment buildings will begin – a full-fledged renovation! When I took over as Executive Director seven years ago, I set a long-term goal to ensure all our families lived in safe, comfortable homes. Over the years, out of sheer financial necessity, I was forced to take a “band-aid” approach to building repairs. Seven years later, with help from HomeAid Northern Virginia, Pulte Homes and the City of Alexandria, our long-term goal becomes reality.
Savor the flavors of Alexandria’s distinctive collection of eateries, from fine dining establishments to casual neighborhood favorites, with special offers available exclusively during this event. For 10 days and two weekends, enjoy tantalizing multi-course meals as you sample the inventive culinary diversity offered throughout the city.
Come one, come all, to an electrifying performance this Sunday from 11am-Noon this Sunday at 4MRMarket!
Wytold Lebing, an acclaimed electric cellist, and a Strathmore Artist in Residence, has volunteered to play the market this weekend, so come on out and experience a very eclectic and electric sound for a song. Donations will be accepted, but the performance is totally free! Find a music loving neighbor who has never stopped by our little neighborhood market that could and bring them along.
Carpenter’s Shelter partners with the city of Alexandria and the greater Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area to eliminate homelessness through respect, responsibility and results. Through its many programs, they advocate self-reliance through education and provide programs and services as needed.
The only program of its kind in Northern Virginia,Friends of Guest House has offered structure,supervision, support and assistance to women who sincerely want to improve their lives and break the cycle of incarceration for over 35 years. Residents receive the physical and emotional tools they need to begin a new life through self-sufficiency, and leave with hope and a brighter future.
Carpenter’s Shelter is Northern Virginia’s largest homeless shelter, serving over 1,000 homeless and formerly homeless men, women and children each year. More than just a roof, Carpenter’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner 365 days a year. With a food budget of $0, we rely on the generosity of the community to fill our pantry.
On Saturday, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum will offer a night of delicious foods and drinks all of which were inspired by the museum's own spices and herbs. For 75$ a ticket, one will support the preservation of the Apothecary's unique collection and will do what citizens of Alexandria have been doing for centuries - indulging in the Apothecary's exotic flavors.
ALIVE! needs 4 or 5 volunteers to help sort and distribute food on Saturday, May 26 at 8:15am for their Last Saturday Food Distribution at the Church of the Resurrection site. If you can volunteer, please send an email to volunteers@alive-inc.org or call 703-837-9300 ext. 2.
Taste everything Del Ray has to offer in one afternoon. Vote for your favorite food destination, along with Celebrity Chef Rock Harper from season three of Hell’s Kitchen. Foodies get ready to munch!
After adding on the almost $700 in cash donation made at Alexandria branches of Virginia Commerce Bank, our presenting sponsor, Spring2ACTion 2012 raised more than $320,000 for Alexandria nonprofits in just 24 hours! Spring2ACTion is the biggest Alexandria fundraising event ever thanks to you!
What your contributions mean for local nonprofits
Casa Chirilagua can now start an after-school middle school program for kids living in the Chirilagua area of Arlandria.
The Art League can build a new art facility to continue to provide affordable art education.
YMCA Alexandria can provide 21 more kids scholarships to summer camp.
Friends of Guest House can continue parenting classes for women coming out of incarceration to help them transition successfully back into community and family life.
Senior Services of Alexandria is able to extend its Meals on Wheels Program to serve seniors on more Saturdays and Sundays.
ACTion Alexandria's biggest action of the year, Spring2ACTion, begins at midnight on May 2, and we urge you to help us make it a record breaker. Last year, we all worked together to raise $104,000. This year, our goal is to help local nonprofits raise $200,000 in just 24 hours!
Civic engagement is what ACTion Alexandria is all about and what's more civic than voting? It's been a boisterous year in city politics, and with more than a baker's dozen worth of candidates running for City Council, it's hard for a lot of us to figure out which candidates best represent our vision for our community.
So, we are turning the tables on traditional political debates by giving YOU the starring role in our online forum.
On Wednesday, May 2nd, our community will come together for 24 hours of unprecedented giving.
Spring2ACTion is one extraordinary day to support the organizations that make Alexandria amazing. ACT and ACTion Alexandria, in partnership with our sponsors, are offering up to $30,000 in cash and prizes to help increase fundraising efforts by participating organizations and individual fundraisers. Real-time tracking will be displayed on the leader board at www.Spring2ACTion.org on May 2.
Friday April 12, Carpenter’s Shelter experienced a fire. We were very fortunate to identify the fire quickly thanks two of our fearless volunteers who alerted the staff immediately. Fortunately no one was injured. 
Last weekend saw the opening of 4MRMarket. We saw a good turnout and lots of people happy to see the market back at 4109 Mt. Vernon Ave. 
ACT for Alexandria and ACTion staff are deeply saddened by the tragedy yesterday at the Boston Marathon and extend our deepest sympathies to all affected. 
Hey Alexandria - this looks like a job for YOU! 
Well, it’s done! The apartment building at 612 Notabene Drive has been turned into a building that any of us would be proud to call home. Through the thorough plans of architect John Savage and the magic of Pulte Homes and their amazing vendors and sub contractors, our old building is new again. The transformation began on September 12th and the building is now completely beautiful, inside and out. The furnishings are brand new thanks to Fran and Gant Redmon, who hosted a fundraiser that helped to 
Hmm...what was going this weekend again? Oh, right! National Day of Service and the Inauguration!
What Is At Home in Alexandria?
What Is The Child and Family Network Centers?
What Is Rebuilding Together Alexandria?
Oh, SNAP! Newark mayor, Cory Booker, is doing the 
What Is Tenants and Workers United?
It's the Season of Giving and we hope that you'll take the time to give back to members of the Alexandria community who need your help. 
With regular season ended, this Sunday, 4MRMarket morphs into the Four Mile Run Holiday Market.
If you've got a smart phone, you might want to download some of these apps to keep you informed on Hurricane Sandy and get alerts from local and national government. 
A lot of damage can happen during a storm and we want to make sure you all stay safe. So we've compiled a list of advice for you on what to do. If you have any other tips please add them to the comments and we'll update this post. 
Be prepared this weekend as Sandy, also known as "Frankenstorm" is coming up the Eastern Seaboard
Stunning orange, yellow and red leaves hang from trees and are beginning to fall. Soon these glorious fall days and those leaves will be a distant memory. Whether sweltering in the summer or freezing in the winter, on the last Saturday of the month, there is a local Alexandria nonprofit called ALIVE! that is out in full force with an army of volunteers. This is a story about a community coming together for the sake of the most vulnerable.
Adopting a shelter animal is an amazing way to change lives. Not only are you rescuing a homeless animal in need, but your life and the lives of your family members are sure to change as well. Many of us want to help homeless animals in any way possible, but the reality is that adoption simply isn't an option for everyone. However, the 
Come one, come all, to an electrifying performance this Sunday from 11am-Noon this Sunday at 4MRMarket! 
