nonprofit | FFXnow

Sen. Mark Warner sees Covid relief funds in action at Western Fairfax food pantry

Published June 21, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated June 22, 2023 at 10:32AM

(Updated 3:45 p.m.) Local charitable organization Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (4511 Daly Drive J) welcomed Sen. Mark Warner through its doors last week.

On Friday, June 16, Warner toured WFCM’s food pantry and warehouse in Chantilly and participated in a roundtable discussion with WFCM leaders and partners, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services, Fairfax County Public Schools, Wegmans, Boy Scouts and Kings of Kings Lutheran Church.

News

McLean Volunteer Fire Department to upgrade ambulance with donation from home tours

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 21, 2023 at 11:00AM

The McLean Volunteer Fire Department is planning to replace one of its ambulances (courtesy MVFD)

The McLean Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) will soon get a new and improved ambulance, thanks in part to the success of a recent “Kitchen and Garden Tour.”

The Woman’s Club of McLean, a local charitable group, presented a check with the $13,000 raised by the tour to the fire department on Monday (June 19), fulfilling a promise that got deferred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Countywide

Grassroots organization Hamkae Center celebrates ‘Asian American joy and glow’ on 10th anniversary

By Vivian Hoang

Published June 8, 2023 at 3:00PM

Hamkae Center members holding signs at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic with ADAMS Compassionate Healthcare Network in 2022 (courtesy Sookyung Oh)

Today (Thursday) marks a decade of community service, youth leadership, political activism and civic engagement in Virginia by the Hamkae Center.

Over the last 10 years, the local nonprofit has dedicated itself to achieving “social, racial, and economic justice” through Asian American mobilization and advocacy at both the state and local levels, per its website.

Countywide

Rise in child welfare cases puts strain on Fairfax County’s volunteer court advocates

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 5, 2023 at 11:45AM

Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates get sworn in (courtesy Fairfax CASA)

Fairfax County’s child welfare system has seen abuse and neglect cases surge over the past year, taxing the dozens of volunteers charged with advocating for those children in foster care and court.

As of May, over 188 new kids have been placed in foster care or under a protective court order since July 1, 2022 — nearly double the 98 cases added the previous year, according to Fairfax CASA, a nonprofit that trains and supervises volunteer, court-appointed special advocates for children.

News

Regional food bank seeks to double capacity with expanded Newington warehouse

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 23, 2023 at 10:30AM | Updated May 24, 2023 at 10:27AM

Officials attend a ceremonial groundbreaking for Capital Area Food Bank's warehouse expansion in Newington (courtesy Capital Area Food Bank)

(Updated at 10:25 a.m. on 5/24/2023) Construction has begun on a new warehouse for the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) in the Newington area.

The organization, which supports nonprofits and provides meals to residents throughout the D.C. region, broke ground on the 43,000-square-foot distribution facility at 6833 Hill Park Drive, Lorton, on May 15.

Around Town

Student percussionists to celebrate 10 years of Vienna Jammers with a bang at Capital One Hall

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 9, 2023 at 2:15PM

The Vienna Jammers backstage for the Big Jam at Capital One Hall in 2022 (photo by David Reynolds Jr.)

In the beginning, there were the Brute Red Trash Cans.

The simple, plastic buckets were among the first instruments utilized by the Vienna Jammers, along with PVC pipes, bits of metal and other construction materials lying around Vienna Elementary School.

Countywide

Fairfax County library’s annual food drive kicks off, as need continues to rise

By Matt Blitz

Published April 5, 2023 at 1:30PM

Patrick Henry Library in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Library’s annual food drive “Read and Feed” is now underway, replacing the “Food for Fines” program.

The county library system is asking residents to drop off “unexpired, commercially produced food items” as well as new, reusable grocery bags and kitchen tools to any of its 23 branches during their regular operating hours.

News

Therapeutic riding nonprofit seeks expansion to horse barn in Great Falls

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 5, 2023 at 11:45AM

The nonprofit organization seeks to use existing barns on the site (Image via Google Maps).

A local nonprofit organization is hoping to expand its therapeutic riding services for people with disabilities in Great Falls.

Based at 9700 Georgetown Pike, Lift Me Up hopes to extend its services to a new horse barn with eight stables across six acres at 1051 Kelso Road near Difficult Run Stream Valley Park.

News

Reston entrepreneur to ski to North Pole to raise funds for kids with cancer

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 20, 2023 at 3:30PM

Len Forkas plans to ski to the North Pole to raise money for his nonprofit organization (Photo courtesy Hopecam).

Len Forkas, a Reston-based businessman, is skiing to the North Pole in a few weeks to break the ice on support for kids with cancer.

The 63-year-old — who is described as an “ultra-endurance athlete” — plans to ski 60 miles to the North Pole in order to raise money for Hopecam, a nonprofit organization he founded that connects children undergoing cancer treatment with their friends.

Around Town

Nonprofit offers native trees for McLean residents to plant in their yards

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 10, 2023 at 2:30PM

McLean homeowners pose with a tree planted as part of the Neighborhood Tree Program (courtesy McLean Tree Foundation)

With the first day of spring drawing ever closer, the McLean Tree Foundation is gearing up for another season of sprucing up the area’s tree canopy.

For a $100 fee, the local nonprofit is offering to help McLean homeowners plant growing native trees in their yards as part of its Neighborhood Tree Program, which is now in its ninth year.