Assistance League of Northern Virginia Completes An Active Year

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Assistance League of Northern Virginia was able to complete a banner year and touched the lives of thousands of local children and their families. With schools closed, the charity suspended its Weekend Food for Kids program, and instead provided a total of 4,834 $20 grocery gift cards to needy families at 6 area schools. In addition, the program was expanded to include distribution of gift cards during the summer months. For its New Clothing for Kids efforts, the organization provided children with 1095 new clothing items and shoes. The chapter also distributed 690 toiletry kits and numerous other items, such as face masks and essential paper products, along with 86 child-sized, handmade quilts and blankets, most packaged with a new book.

Assistance League could not conduct its usual tutoring services for first graders at two partner schools. However, through its Literacy for Kids program dedicated volunteers prepared and distributed 2917 books to students at each of its 11 partner schools. Two of the schools received a new book for every student, six schools received books for their summer reading programs, and the other schools received books at various points during the school year. Through its Hugs Pillow Program, the charity distributed 914 pillows to several community agencies and many of its partner schools. The chapter added books to the pillows going to schools where teachers used them in classes for grades 2 and below to help the young children deal constructively with stress and build self-esteem. As seen in the photo, the Hugs Pillows were a hit with kindergartners,

In June, Assistance League installed its new board members for 2021-2022. The slate of officers for the coming year includes: Gina Glenn - President; Jerilyn Woelfel - Vice President for Membership; Kathy Jackson - Vice President for Resource Development; Nancy Treanor - Vice President for Philanthropy; Nannette Henderson - Treasurer; Mary Gronlund - Secretary; Nancy Spinosa - Education Chair; Lynn Barron - Public Relations Chair; and Judy Sutton, Strategic Planning Chair. Assistance League of Northern Virginia is extremely proud of its dedicated members who ensured the charity could continue to make a difference in the community during the past challenging year and thanks its many supporters for their generosity in making the philanthropic programs possible. The new board members look forward to another productive year.

For more information visit www.alnv.org