Multiple Assistance League Programs Support Local Children

The weather has turned cooler, and the days are getting shorter, but Assistance League of Northern Virginia has been as busy as squirrels gathering nuts for the winter. In the past month, they have sponsored two "Build a Child's Library" events, packed 1840 bags of "Weekend Food for Kids," and hosted a Thank You Breakfast for volunteers at the Dunbarton Community in Bristow.

Happiness abounds when you combine elementary children, dedicated volunteers, and piles and piles of books. In the past month, two FCPS Title 1 schools, with populations totaling over 1300 children, received the joy and benefits of a Build a Child's Library event funded and sponsored by the non-profit organization. ALNV volunteers assisted the students with choosing a book and then helped the children put their names inside the book covers, giving them a bookmark and assuring them that the books were theirs to keep. So many smiles all around!

Each month, Assistance League volunteers pack 1840 bags of "Weekend Food for Kids" for students in 6 Northern Virginia Title 1 elementary schools. ALNV partners with Dominion Energy to pack and then deliver the food. While children are offered breakfast and lunch at school during the week, some families struggle to provide enough food for their families over the weekend. This bag of nonperishable food helps families make it through the weekend. Allstate Insurance and Sandy Spring Bank joined us this month. At the beginning of the packing event, a generous donation of $10,000 was presented to ALNV by The Allstate Foundation. ALNV, an all-volunteer organization, runs on heart power and relies on fundraisers and generous monetary donations from individuals and groups like Allstate.

Finally, Assistance League volunteers hosted a thank you breakfast this month for residents of the Dunbarton Community in Bristow. These wonderful volunteers donate their time and talents to sew and stuff heart-shaped pillows for ALNV. These pillows are packed with two books, a toothbrush, and toothpaste to help promote a healthy bedtime routine for Kindergarten children. Some Dunbarton volunteers also knit or crochet baby blankets, bonnets, hats, and scarves that Assistance League uses in other programs they sponsor for children in Northern Virginia Title 1 elementary schools.

Assistance League of Northern Virginia is making a difference for children in need in Northern Virginia. If you want to know more about the organization, join us, or donate to help us continue providing these services, please check out their website at alnv.org or find them on Facebook and Instagram.