Neighborhood Expert: Charity spotlight — Women Giving Back

Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or Laura@GuidingYourMove.com.

I’ve seen lots of spring cleaning posts on the various Vienna Facebook groups, that timed nicely with the luncheon I was invited to attend on Friday in honor of one of our very active local organizations: Women Giving Back.

What they do: Provide women and children in crisis clothing, diapers, shoes and other basic needs at no cost.

How you can help: donate clothing, donate hours volunteering, or donate money

Where you can donate: Donate at their office at 20 Export Drive, Sterling, VA 20164 or one of their partner locations.

This Friday (April 1), they held their annual luncheon at Westwood Country Club to help raise funds for their mission.

They had a phenomenal speaker, Linda Rabbitt, of Rand Construction who gave the most vulnerable, authentic and inspiring speech I’ve heard in a long time. I was left in tears.

The other very moving quote I hear was this:

“Clothes aren’t going to change the world. The women who wear them will.” — Anne Klein

Imagine how a new, correctly fitting suit empowers you to go on a job interview. Or leaving a domestic abuse situation with nothing but the clothes you’re wearing could leave you depressed, but a bag of new clothes could give you hope. Instead of selling random clothing online for $5, consider donating it instead.

Also, I want to give a huge, public shoutout to the woman who owns, First Excel Title, Lauren Kinnard. Lauren is one of the most philanthropic humans I know. She serves on multiple boards, including Women Giving Back, and she also handles many of my real estate settlements. She’s kind, generous, and really good at her job.

If you need a title company recommendation for a refinance, settlement, or deed transfer, please consider this local Vienna women-owned company.

Follow Women Giving Back and First Excel Title on Facebook!