Young Men’s Service Group Helps Loudoun Families During Pandemic

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — The Youth Men’s Service League South Loudoun Chapter is partnering with the Dulles South Neighborhood Closet on a holiday project by donating new socks, underwear and winter hats as well as new and secondhand winter coats, mittens and gloves.

YMSL, a national nonprofit with chapters across the country, brings mothers and their teenage sons together to volunteer in their local communities during their sons four years in high school. The South Loudoun chapter includes more than 105 mothers and 115 young men from Freedom, John Champe, Light Ridge, and Paul VI high schools in the South Riding area of Loudoun County.

Created in 2019, the Dulles South Neighborhood Closet assists those in need in the Dulles South and neighboring areas with clothing and other non-food essentials.

“I need to express my thanks and my deep gratitude to all of the YMSL families who supported the outerwear and underwear drive," Charlene Jones, board president of the Dulles South Neighborhood Closet, said in a statement. "Over 1,200 pounds of clothing and $200 in gift cards was donated and more is still coming in from YMSL families."

The Dulles South Neighborhood Closet will be providing gently used clothing and toys to families and individuals on Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon at J. Michael Lunsford Middle School in Chantilly.

Appointments are open for families with a referral from the Dulles South Food Pantry or a parent liaison from one of the elementary, middle or high schools in the Freedom, John Champe, Lightridge, Independence, Rock Ridge or Briar Woods clusters. Face coverings are required at the event.

The local chapter of YMSL also plans to purchase and put together new clothing racks to help the Dulles South Neighborhood Closet with organizing its facility over the next few weeks.