A fundraiser originally planned to support Alzheimer’s disease research has expanded its mission to include families in Burke affected by Monday’s thunderstorm.
Local resident Kim Pollard has partnered with Bunnyman Brewing in Burke (5583 Guinea Road) to collect donations this Sunday (June 28) for both her Walk to End Alzheimer’s team fundraiser and nine families who lost their homes in the storm on June 22.
The fundraiser will take place rain or shine from 2-5 p.m.
“The brewery will donate 15% of sales to the fundraising effort,” a press release said. “The event will include craft beer and slushies (non-alcoholic options available), raffle prizes and giveaways, cornhole, the Killer Tomato Pizza Truck, and the opportunity to support two great causes.”
In addition to Bunnyman and the Alzheimer Association’s National Capital Area chapter, raffle prize sponsors include Great Harvest Bread Company, Fitness Together’s Fairfax location, Oh George! Tables and Taphouse, George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, the restaurant Villa Bella and Yellow Frog Boutique.
At its peak, more than 25,000 residents and businesses in Fairfax County lost power during the storm that swept through the D.C. region on Monday. However, the Burke area was hit especially hard due to what the National Weather Service identified as a microburst — a column of air pushed down by the storm that produced winds of up to 90 mph and left tornado-like devastation in its wake.
The Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management has established an online page where affected residents can find updates and resources, including contacts for agencies that can provide assistance and disaster recovery guidance:
Households experiencing issues can call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880 for assistance with emergency food, resources and possible financial assistance.
Residents displaced by the recent storm in Fairfax County can also call the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for immediate assistance with shelter, food and other support.
Official support services are being supplemented by community and charitable efforts to help affected residents. The nonprofit World Central Kitchen, for example, set up operations in the local Taco Bamba on Tuesday (June 23) to provide free meals to those still waiting for their electricity to return or otherwise unable to access food.
On top of reconfiguring her Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraiser, which she organized in honor of her grandmother, Pollard has established an online fund to assist the Burke families displaced by the storm through her nonprofit Nancy’s Toy Drop.
According to the Burke Storm Recovery Fund’s description:
Nine families have been displaced by the severe storm that ripped through the Burke, VA area on June 22nd. They are now working to recover from the storm’s aftermath, and secure temporary housing for themselves and their children. As we know, the recovery process can be slow and cumbersome, despite the best efforts of our emergency management services and county resources.
The Burke community is a wonderful place to live, work, and play in large part because we take care of one another. We have the opportunity to lift up these families in their time of need – and your monetary contribution will help to do exactly that! Every dollar you donate to the Burke Storm Recovery Fund will go directly to these families.
At Sunday’s fundraiser, attendees can also still donate to Pollard’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s team. Organized by the Alzheimer’s Association, the annual charity walk will take place across the country on Sept. 26, with funds going to support research and resources for patients and caregivers.
