Big Dig Day, Gifting for Families, Give Impact, Save the Date, CARE, 100th Did You Know, Top Needs, Volunteers Needed
























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Monthly Newsletter of Northern Virginia Family Service


























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Breaking Ground: NVFS Early Childhood Education Center in Loudoun County

On November 19, NVFS proudly broke ground on our new Early Childhood Education Center in Ashburn, VA, a transformative space designed to provide critical early education and support services to local families. The event featured inspiring remarks from key leaders, including NVFS President & CEO Stephanie Berkowitz , Chair Phyllis Randall of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Dr. William A. Hazel, Jr. of the Claude Moore Foundation, Tony Howard , President of the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, and PNC’s Sonia McCormick. Their words underscored the importance of investing in our community’s youngest learners.

In addition to the groundbreaking, volunteers worked together to build the Out Teach Outdoor Learning Lab , a hands-on, nature-focused learning space for children. This innovative lab, made possible by the generous support of PNC’s Grow Up Great initiative and Out Teach <[link removed]>, will provide children with the opportunity to explore and learn in an interactive outdoor environment. This space is a testament to the power of community collaboration in creating opportunities for growth and discovery.

Learn more about the lifelong impact Head Start and Early Head Start makes in the lives of children and their families in our newest blog <[link removed]> penned by Stephanie Berkowitz, NVFS President and CEO.












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Brighten the Holiday Season for Local Children and Families

Help make the holiday season brighter as we distribute more than 2,000 toys to children and their families in Northern Virginia. There are many ways you spread the cheer:

* Donate toys in person at a NEW location this year, NVFS Headquarters, Main level Conference Room at 3110 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, VA 22042. More information on the holiday drive and toy list <[link removed]> can be found at the NVFS website <[link removed]>.
* Monday, December 9th, 1 pm - 6 pm
* Tuesday, December 10th, 9 am - 2 pm
* Donate toys virtually using the Amazon wish list <[link removed]>. Toys purchased from this list will be shipped to NVFS. The wishlist will close on 12/4/2024.
* Donate funds <[link removed]> to help us purchase any additional toys, gift cards, as well as grocery store gift cards.
* Create your own online team fundraising page <[link removed]> for your office or community group.
* Donate gift cards. Gift cards can be dropped off on one of the toy drop off dates or mailed to NVFS at Northern Virginia Family Service, ATTN: Holiday Initiatives, 3110 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22042.
* Teen gift cards are often the items we need most. We suggest Target, Walmart, Amazon and Visa in the amount of $ 25.
* Supermarket gift cards are appreciated for our families to use for holiday meal purchases.
* Sponsorship opportunities <[link removed]> are available for the holiday drive.

However you choose to spread the cheer during this season, thank you!












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Community Rallies for Fall Food Drive

Thanks to YOUR help and generosity, we've recieved more than 16,000 pounds <[link removed]> of food to help stock the shelves at our Hunger Resource Center (HRC) this holiday season!

Although the Fall Food Drive has come to an end, the fight against hunger continues year-round. Hunger knows no season, and we invite you to make a difference by donating food, contributing funds, volunteering your time, or organizing your own food drive <[link removed]>. Together, we can ensure our neighbors have the nourishment they need to thrive every day of the year.

Thank you!














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Gift the Gift of Impact this Holiday Season

Looking for a meaningful gift for the hard-to-buy for person on your list? This holiday season, give the gift that will help a family build a strong foundation for a better life!

Instead of a material gift, honor a friend or family member by making a donation <[link removed]> to NVFS in their name. It’s a unique and thoughtful way to celebrate the season while helping those in need. When you donate, simply include your honoree’s name and a personal message. We will send them a special note letting them know about your generous gift made in their honor.

Embrace the true spirit of giving and check one more gifts off your list by making your donation today!






















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2024 CARE Award Winners Celebrated

On Wednesday, November 13, NVFS honored the 22 winners <[link removed]> of its 2024 CARE (Companies As Responsive Employers) Awards at a special reception at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. More than 130 people representing nonprofits and businesses from across Northern Virginia were in attendance.

“The CARE Awards spotlight the exceptional culture and employee engagement strategies that create the D.C. area’s best places to work,” said Stephanie Berkowitz, president and CEO of Northern Virginia Family Service. “This year’s 22 CARE Award winners not only make a meaningful impact through strong commitments to employee health and wellness, but also strengthen our region with their inclusive, supportive, and equitable policies and cultures.”

NVFS thanks all those in attendance for making the Washington, D.C. region a better place to work, live, and play.













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Did You Know? Fun Facts About NVFS' 100-year Journey

We weren’t always known as Northern Virginia Family Service. In 1924 we were founded as United Charities of Alexandria and provided coats, coal, and fuel to our neighbors in the cold winter months. In the 1940s, the name changed to Alexandria Family Service to reflect expanding programs including free school lunches, a day nursery for working parents, legal services, and a mental health clinic for those returning from World War II. In 1964, we merged with Family Service of Northern Virginia and took up the moniker we all know and love, Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS). The merger also increased our service area to what we recognize today Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William. We may have gone by different names but the same spirit of helping our neighbors by serving as a rallying point for the community, is the same.

Learn more and celebrate NVFS’ 100 years with us at nvfs.org/100 <[link removed]>.


























Top NVFS SERVE <[link removed]> Shelter Needs

* Walking cane (metal, regular or with a balance foot)
* Full size toiletries for men and women (body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, deodorant)
* Loofahs/body scrubbers
* New bed pillows
* New fleece blankets (throw size or full size)
* Cleaning supplies (multi-purpose/surface, toilet bowl, window, microfiber towels)
* Laundry detergent (free and clear)








Top Hunger Resource Center <[link removed]> Needs

* Flour
* Sugar
* Cooking oil and spray
* Canned meat
* Beans (canned and dry)
* Low sodium vegetables
* Cereal
* Pasta and pasta sauce
* Rice
* Soup
* Fruit cups






























Top Multicultural Center <[link removed]> Needs

*
Beans (canned and dried)
* Oil
* Canned tuna
* Canned vegetables
* Pasta
* Pasta sauce
* Rice (white and brown)
* Oatmeal and cereal
* Peanut Butter
* Jelly









Top Early Head Start <[link removed]> Needs

* Board books
* Costume/imaginative items
* Diapers (sizes 3-6)
*
Wipes

Top Healthy Families <[link removed]> Needs

* Diapers (sizes 3-6)
* Wipes
* Board books
















Top Volunteer Needs

* HRC: Food recovery drivers <[link removed]> (Contact Navara Cannon <mailto:[email protected]> for more information)
* SERVE Campus: Maintenance Personnel (Contact Vicky Bonilla <mailto:[email protected]> for more information)
* SERVE Shelter: Kitchen Assistant <[link removed]> (Contact Vicky Bonilla <mailto:[email protected]> for more information)







Did you enjoy this edition of the Insider? Have a suggestion? Send us an email. <mailto:[email protected]?subject=Insider suggestion> We love hearing from our readers and are continually striving to provide relevant content.











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3110 Fairview Park Dr., Suite 500 (We've moved!), Falls Church, VA 22042