New Community Outreach in Alexandria

Dear Neighbors:

About a month or so back, many of you so generously expressed interest in a new community project that would bring new and/or gently used items from our community to the disadvantaged Parker Gray community near the Charles Houston Recreation Center and Sugar Shack Donuts. 

After meeting this morning with the Director of Programs at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, I'm happy to provide more specific details below. Every little bit counts, so thank you in advance for any assistance that you can provide. 

Friday, October 16th: Please drop off any unused or gently used clothing, children's gear, small household items, etc. that you are willing to donate at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA to the manager on duty between the hours of 2 p.m and 9 p.m. If you are unable to drop off on this day or during these times, please email me and we can make other arrangements. We are also looking for a handful of volunteers this evening to help sort through and arrange donated items between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact me directly.

Saturday, October 17th: Parker Gray community residents will be invited to the Charles Houston Recreation Center between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. to receive any donated items that they may be in need of but unable to afford. We are looking for a small group of volunteers on this day to help facilitate the collection of items between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. We are also looking for a group of volunteers to haul away any uncollected items and drop them off to the Salvation Army. These volunteers will need to be available promptly at noon since there is an afternoon event in the same space that we will be using that morning. (Unfortunately, because this is our first time doing this and because we put the event together rather quickly on the good advice of a neighbor who suggested that the greatest need is before the holidays and cold weather hit, we did not have sufficient time to arrange for uncollected items to be picked up at the distribution site by local non-profits. Should this event be a success, we will better prepare next year). Please contact me directly if you are interested in volunteering on Saturday, October 17th.

Many, many thanks once again in advance for any help that you may be able to provide!!! An item that may seem insignificant and appropriate for trash collection could make a difference in the lives of our neighbors just down the road. More importantly, our donations of time and goods will let them know that we see them, and that we care.

Sincerely,
Jessica Wszalek