Alexandria Student Launches School Pantry

Dear Neighbors: 
I am forwarding the attached on behalf of my daughter and a project she is launching for our community. She appreciates your consideration. 

ALEXANDRIA STUDENTS LAUNCHES A SCHOOL SUPPLY PANTRY FOR ALEXANDRIA K-12 STUDENTS

My name is Mary Kate Mull and I am a 7th Grade Student at St Mary's School. A few months ago, I noticed that I was running low on school supplies -- thankfully my mother was able to replenish me but I wondered about other students in Alexandria who might not have the same support I do.  

After doing some research and visiting Alexandria locations like the Alexandria - Dunbar Boys and Girls Club -- I confirmed there was need for school supplies throughout the year. To address the issue I am creating aSCHOOL SUPPLY PANTRY at the Boys and Girls Club that will offer their students, currently ---- over 140 students from 8 Alexandria Public Schools ---- the supplies they need to be the best they can be. 

Why the Boys and Girls Club? That's easy -- it is home every school day to over 140 students from 8 public schools. This vibrant Club supports the students with many school based programs. and its the perfect way to reach students from across Alexandria. And their Executive Director Alston Waller had an awesome response to the project!!  

What is needed? I surveyed the students themselves and the list if very similar to what you would expect: Three Hole Punch paper; ballpoint pens; pencils; markers in all shapes; spiral notebooks; composition notebooks; 3 ringed binders; presentation folders; rulers; index cards; flash drives; erasers (we all make mistakes) pencil cases; copy paper; construction paper; crayons; presentation boards; poster boards; glue; glue sticks -- whatever you can imagine would be helpful.  

How Can I Help?: Pick up a few items and drop them at any of these locations --  

1430 Russell Road, Alexandria 22301 (any day or time) or the Boys and Girls Club 401 N. Payne Street, Alexandria, VA ( 2 - 6 pm M - Friday)

Prefer to order and mail supplies?: The link below will take you to an Amazon Wish list below and Items can be shipped to Alexandria Dunbar Boys and Girls Club. 401 N. Payne Street, Alexandria, VA https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/15KHUWZ8VJIUL/ref=topnav_lists_1

Can I forward this email? YES, BY ALL MEANS YES!! SPREAD THE WORD!!! or contact me to set up a sub drive or drop location. 


Need a tax deduction?: Just send the receipt and a note to alexandriaschoolsply@gmail.com 

It is our hope to make this an ongoing project that will support Alexandria Students for years to come.

Thank you for helping our future!!!!!

CFC and United Way Designation Campaign
October 1st-December 31st
Remember to designate BGCGW
CFC #44919 or United Way #8047 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. Great Futures Start Here.



From Neighborhood Listserv

Heart of Del Ray Award - VOTE NOW

The “Heart of Del Ray Award” is annually presented by the Del Ray Business Association during the Valentine’s Day holiday to the business that serves as the heart and soul of Del Ray. We want to thank everyone that nominated a business -- over 35 wonderful businesses were nominated making it very tough to narrow it down to just five. Many of you also expressed your continued strong support for past winners which is a tremendous compliment to them and reaffirms how lucky we are to have such great businesses in Del Ray.

We are excited that you, our neighbors, customers and friends will determine the winner of this prestigious award. Selection should be based on which business best demonstrates their warm and welcoming attitude to the community/customers, their commitment and generosity to the community, and to their overall contribution to what makes Del Ray the best place in the world to live, work and shop! In other words, what business warms your “heart” when you here its name?

We congratulate and are honored to list the following five businesses that have been nominated for the “2016 Heart of Del Ray Award”:
1)      Affordable Signs & Banners    http://affordablesigns.com/
2)      Caboose Cafe & Bakery    http://caboose-cafe.com/
3)      Holy Cow/Pork Barrel BBQ      http://www.holycowdelray.com/ http://www.bbqdelray.com/   
4)      Taqueria Poblano        http://www.taqueriapoblano.com/
5)      Truly-Life Eco Gifts   http://truly-life.com/

Each person is only allowed one vote by emailing heartofdelray2016@yahoo.com.  If we get more than one vote per email, none will qualify & be counted.   You can vote anytime between now and 5:00 pm on Wednesday, February 10th.  Once votes are calculated and a winner is determined, a large heart shaped award will be displayed on the winning business on Friday, February 12th to greet them for the Valentine’s Day holiday. We will also notify the various list serves of the winner so you can stop by and congratulate the winner.
Last year over , 1,600 neighbors, friends and customers voted so we encourage you to tell your neighbors to be sure and support their favorite nominee. A business can only win once and we congratulate our past winners which include: A Show of Hands, Jen Walker McEnearney Associates, Bobi Bomar Homes of Alexandria, The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray, Greener Cleaner of Del Ray, Del Ray Pizzeria, and Mind the Mat.

Happy Valentine’s Day & be sure to shop for that special Valentine at one of Del Ray’s many businesses!!!

The "Heart of Del Ray" seeking Nominations

The “Heart of Del RayAward” is annually presented by the Del Ray Business Association to thebusiness that the community feels serves as the heart and soul of Del Ray.   On February 4th, we willannounce the 5 finalists and open up voting by the community.  Beforethe voting process to select the winner begins, we would like to getYOUR nomination for who you think should be one of the five businesses on theballot. The Del Ray Business Association Board will then take into consideration all the nominations and comments in order to determine the five finalists.

Nominations should bebased on which business best demonstrates their warm and welcomingattitude to the community/customers, their commitment and generosity tothe community, and to their overall contribution to what makes Del Ray the bestplace in the world to live, work and shop!  In other words, what businesswarms your “heart” when you here its name?   
Former winners of theHeart of Del Ray Award are as follows:   
2009                 A Show of Hands
2010                Jen Walker McEnearney Associates
2011                 Bobi Bomar, Homes of Alexandria,Weichert Realtors 
2012                TheNeighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray
2013                The Greener Cleaner of Del Ray
2014                Del Ray Pizzeria
2015                Mind the Mat

Nominations must be besubmitted by 5 pm on February 3rd by sending an e mail to gtrdelray@yahoo.com
with the subject line: Accepting Nominations for Heart of Del Ray Award

*Remember - we are just soliciting nominations - we are NOT voting yet. The five finalist will be announced on February 4th and voting will begin at that time.

Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you. 

Local Author Launches New Book at Hooray for Books!

A new children’s book is coming out next week called PEEP and EGG: I’m Not Hatching. It’s the first installment in a new series featuring the eternally optimistic Peep and shyly hesitant Egg.

Egg’s resistance to hatching—and the delay tactics she uses—will be hilariously recognizable to toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents! Author Laura Gehl, a neuroscientist by training and mother of 4 from Chevy Chase, MD, developed the character with an eye toward helping children overcome the fears at the root of stubborn behavior.      

The PEEP and EGG series will officially hatch on February 10 at Hooray for Books in Alexandria.  

check out this cute trailer for the book 
 https://youtu.be/lHjZ6_W1I_4

Come listen to local author Laura Gehl read her new picture book, Peep and Egg: I'm Not Hatching! There will be crafts, treats and games at 4 pm, followed by a special 5 pm story time.

When: Wednesday, February 10^th at 4 pm

Where: Hooray for Books, 1555 King St. in Alexandria, Virginia

More information is available at http://www.hooray4books.com/events.htm