In response to everything happening with the COVID-19 pandemic, several local groups decided to raise money to feed medical workers at local facilities.
Though Hearts of Empowerment, the P.U.S.O. Foundation and Mighty Meals all typically serve different purposes in the community, they began a joint GoFundMe campaign to feed health care workers throughout the Tysons area, according to a press release.
Since the campaign’s kick-off on March 24, the organizers have raised $4,250 and counting. So far, more than 85 people have donated to the cause.
Hearts of Empowerment is a non-profit organization that wants to ensure that no charity is forced to close its doors due to a lack of funding, its website said, adding that it will donate $750 of the company’s own funds in addition to what is raised on the GoFundMe page.
The P.U.S.O. Foundation, which stands for Purposeful Unconditional Service to Others, works to empower people in underserved areas of the world, according to its website. The foundation will donate an extra $1,000, on top of what is crowdsourced, according to the GoFundMe campaign.
Mighty Meals — the group that will cater the food — was founded on a platform that everyone should have access to healthy and fulfilling meals, its website said. Mighty Meals will match the total donation amount by 25%, according to the GoFundMe.
“To date, we have delivered over 200 meals and our efforts will continue on a weekly basis as we have made it our goal to feed the staff of a new hospital every week,” a spokesperson for Hearts of Empowerment said.
On top of the funding for meals, Trophy Body Personal Training will be sponsoring free social distancing outdoor workouts for doctors and nurses, according to the GoFundMe.
Photos courtesy Hearts of Empowerment
Editor’s note: Are you a restaurant in the Vienna, Falls Church, Tysons, Merrifield and McLean areas that has a fundraiser? Email us at [email protected].
Many eateries in the Tysons area are turning to fundraisers to help them stay afloat financially during the coronavirus panoramic or to help support laid off staff.
Tysons Reporter has been keeping track of GoFundMe pages for local restaurants and their staff. Here are the latest fundraisers we found:
Rocco’s (1357 Chain Bridge Road) is looking to raise $25,000.
“We have been serving our community since 1977, and we don’t want to lose Rocco’s because of this pandemic,” the GoFundMe page says.
The Italian restaurant in McLean is currently offering pick-up and delivery options, according to its website.
Over in Falls Church, Loving Hut (2842 Rodgers Drive) is looking to raise $10,000 to help with operating costs and paychecks for employees.
The vegan chain offers Asian-accented cuisine. The Falls Church location is regularly screening employees for illness, selling vegan hand sanitizer and offering carry out, according to the eatery’s Facebook page.
Agora Restaurants, which has a location in Tysons, is raising $5,000 for their staff.
“Both of our locations have switched to Delivery/Carryout thus leaving us to make the difficult decision to layoff over 100 of our dedicated and loving team members,” the GoFundMe said. “We have decided to setup a fundraiser to support our staff that can be beneficial for them during this period of uncertainty.”
The Tysons location (7911 Westpark Drive) is currently offering delivery and pickup from noon-9 p.m. daily, according to its website.
Photo via Rocco’s/Facebook
Editor’s note: Are you a restaurant in the Vienna, Falls Church, Tysons, Merrifield and McLean areas that has a fundraiser? Email us at [email protected].
As local eateries adjust to declining sales and people staying indoors, several have turned to fundraisers to help keep their doors open and employees paid.
Like last week, Tysons Reporter has rounded up GoFundMe pages for local restaurants. Here are the latest fundraisers:
Pulcinella, a McLean restaurant that serves up southern Italian cuisine, has started an employee relief fund. The restaurant is looking to raise $25,000.
“During these past few days, Pulcinella has had to face unthinkable challenges due to the global health crisis,” the GoFundMe page said. ‘Unfortunately, this has impacted our industry along with many others, very negatively.”
The manager at the Lost Dog Cafe in Tysons is looking to raise $2,500 to support the restaurant, which is known for its sandwiches, local history-themed murals and animal rescue.
“Our sister cause, Lost Dog and Cat rescue, gets a piece of the pie each time you stop by, which is why we’ve managed to find more than 30,000 animals a loving home,” the GoFundMe said.
Chris Lefbom and Adam Lubar of Vintage Restaurant Group are looking to raise $5,000 to assist employees at Dogwood Tavern in Falls Church.
The restaurant temporarily closed due to coronavirus concerns, along with Vienna-based Bear Branch Tavern, which is also a part of the Vintage Restaurant Group.
“All funds raised here will be distributed directly to our hourly employees — fairly and equally — based on full- and part-time employee status,” the GoFundMe said.
The manager of Ireland’s Four Provinces in Falls Church wants to raise $30,000 for the restaurant’s staff.
“Many of our employees depend entirely on tips earned from service; with that income gone, even the current gov’t relief measures won’t address some of their most immediate needs,” according to the GoFundMe page.
The restaurant’s owners have pledged to match donations up to $10,000, according to the GoFundMe.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn is encouraging residents to give back to their communities as growing concerns about the coronavirus prompt event cancellations and working remotely.
Alcorn, who represents Vienna and Reston on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, took to social media last week to let local organizations and nonprofits know that his office wants to connect them to volunteers and needed assistance.
“Whenever we have the opportunity to step up and help, we should,” Alcorn told Tysons Reporter. “There’s a lot of concern in the community.”
Alcorn said that local organizations are expecting higher demands for food and assistance, especially from people who work in the service industries who have limited or no sick leave and for seniors, who are at a higher risk of getting more severely ill from the virus.
“The anxiety level, particularly for seniors, is very high,” he said, noting that there is a “sizable” elderly community in the Hunter Mill District.
As of Sunday, March 15, the Virginia Department of Health says there are 10 presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Fairfax County — a number that officials say is expected to grow.
“I think we can do a lot as we get through this public health challenge by reaching out to our more vulnerable communities and our neighbors and let them know that we care,” he said.
By Friday (March 13), Alcorn’s office had created a “How to Help Your Neighbors” list on the Hunter Mill District page on the Fairfax County website.
“Locally, specifically in Hunter Mill, we’re focusing on giving folks something to do,” he said.
Several organizations in the Vienna area are asking for financial help instead of volunteers, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Second Story, which assists young people struggling with homelessness, poverty or domestic issues in the Vienna area, is asking for gift cards.
“Gift cards help meet our immediate needs and can also be used for online ordering, for example, if young mothers need diapers but don’t want to risk going in public with their babies,” Christine Bartell, Second Story’s resource management director, told Tysons Reporter.
Bartell noted that Visa gift cards are the best option, but Second Story will also accept grocery store and Amazon gift cards via mail to “Attn: Christine Bartell, PO Box 694, Dunn Loring, VA 22027.”
“Since we’re limiting contact between youth and volunteers, gift cards for food will be especially important,” Bartell said.
Meanwhile, the Committee for Helping Others is urging people to donate online, send a check to “CHO, P.O. Box 233, Vienna, VA 22183” or to select “CHO Inc.” as the charity to support while shopping on Amazon Smile.
Alcorn added that he is frequently discussing the coronavirus with Town of Vienna officials and communicating with them about the needs of organizations in the town.
Alcorn emphasized “one overall need that also we want to make sure gets out there” — blood donations.
“A lot of folks donate blood to Inova,” he said. “We don’t want to get into a situation where [there’s] a low blood supply.”
People interested in the local organizations’ opportunities focused on the coronavirus can also check out Alcorn’s email newsletter and social media accounts.
“You can contact any of the organizations or call [my] office,” he said. “We’re going to continue expanding the list of needs.”
Additionally, Alcorn is urging people to take “normal precautions,” like practicing good hygiene and frequent hand washing.
“My hope and expectation are that our community will rise to the occasion,” he said.
After volunteering with Food for Others, Christine Kenny founded Fairfax Diapers in the Vienna area to help at-risk mothers in Fairfax County by supplying clean diapers.
Diaper insecurity is more prevalent than people realize, Kenny said. She hopes the organization will raise awareness and boost diaper donations.
“I have experienced people try to bargain with me at the food bank, willing to trade their food for diapers,” she said about her time spent volunteering with food banks around the area. “I have fielded calls from frantic new moms desperate for enough diapers to get them through the weekend.”
Organizations that offer diaper support for parents end up giving away roughly 10,000-12,000 diapers a month in Fairfax County, she told Tysons Reporter. Fairfax Diapers is run by Kenny, who is the director, and four other members.
Diapers collected through Fairfax Diapers will be given away locally through organizations such as Food for Others and the Fairfax County Visiting Nurses Association.
The Fairfax County Visiting Nurses Association will check in on around 300 new mothers per month, Kenny said.
Until Tuesday (Feb. 18), the group is hosting a drive at Crunch Fitness Tysons (8371 Leesburg Pike). Anyone who brings in a pack of diapers will receive a free day-pass to the studio and anyone who brings in a case will receive a complimentary pass for the week, according to Crunch’s Facebook page.
From March 2-6, the group will also be hosting a drive at Westbriar Elementary School in coordination with parents, teachers and the student council, according to Kenny.
Though the group does not have a website yet, since the project launched last June, Kenny said people can stay up-to-date by following Fairfax Diaper’s Facebook page.
Going forward, she is trying to find other organizations that want to host drives and form partnerships.
Photo via Fairfax Diapers/Facebook
Shoppers who bring their own bags to Whole Foods can help raise money for the Foundation for FCPS.
From now until June 30, Whole Foods’ “Nickels for Non-Profits program” will donate to the foundation every time shoppers re-use a bag.
The Nickels for Non-Profits program donates a nickel to a chosen local non-profit every time shoppers bring a reusable bag to discourage the use of new bags and to support local organizations.
Participating stores include the ones in Tysons (1635 Boro Place), McLean (7511 Leesburg Pike) and Vienna (143 Maple Avenue E.), along with the Whole Foods in Fair Lakes and Springfield.
The foundation helps provide teacher grants, employee recognition and funding for kids in need and for music education, according to its website.
To prepare for the upcoming election, Tysons Reporter looked into how Board of Supervisor candidates in Fairfax County are funding their campaigns.
Both Democrats in the races for the Providence and Dranesville District Supervisor seats have much larger war chests than their Republican opponents by thousands of dollars.
Tysons Reporter took a look at where the donations to the four candidates’ campaigns are coming from.
Providence District Supervisor Race
Democrat Dalia Palchik has raised just roughly $110,000 in monetary campaign contributions.
Major donors include the Jefferson Village Association LP — real estate developers in Bethesda, Md. who have donated $25,000 — and Alison Georgelas, a managing consultant at IBM, with $5,000.
Palchik also received smaller amounts from individuals or organizations like the Fairfax County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics — IAFF Local 2068, who donated $1,500 and openly endorsed her.
Karl Frisch, who is running for the Providence District seat on the Fairfax County School Board, assisted Palchik with in-kind donations including campaign buttons costing $260.
According to the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), around $34,000 of Palchik’s campaign funds came from construction or real estate groups.
Besides political consulting, one of Palchik’s largest expenses was a $1,700 food tab at Inca Social for a fundraiser.
Republican Eric Jones only reported one $200 donation to his campaign from Andrew Finlayson, a retired veteran and member of the Republican Party in North Carolina. Jones told Tysons Reporter that he paid for the rest of his campaign expenses out of his own pocket.
So far, he spent $7,880 of the roughly $9,700 going towards his campaign.
Jones did not report any in-kind contributions and reportedly spent money on a P.O. box in Merrifield, political consulting and signage, among similar things.
Dranesville District Supervisor Race
This year, Democrat John Foust received $81,000 in monetary campaign contributions, according to campaign finance reports.
About $20,000 came from lawyers, according to VPAP.
Foust’s biggest donors so far include Fairfax County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics, who donated $5,500, and several McLean couples.
One couple has donated $9,500 — Sophia Lynn, the head of Crow’s Nest Research Center, gave $4,500, while appellate attorney David Frederick donated $5,000.
Wedding designer and decorator Prabha Bhambri, while Inder Jit Bhambri donated $4,000.
Karen DuVal, who owned a McLean property connected to the War of 1812 and the Civil War, donated $3,500.
He also received $3,000 from Felipe Rodriquez, the CEO of Sterling-based Aeronautical Systems.
Back in September, Foust spent about $1,200 on photoshoot expenses and about $2,300 on the production and design of walk cards.
Meanwhile, Republican Ed Martin — who has missed campaign finance deadlines — told Tysons Reporter that he’s raised about $3,000.
Two campaign finance reports covering April to the end of August say he didn’t raise or spend anything. A new campaign finance report, which was filed yesterday, says that he received $50 in September.
Martin provided Tysons Reporter photos of checks showing the Virginia Republican Victory Fund gave him $500 and the Patriot Republican Women’s Club gave him $50.
The election is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Catherine Douglas Moran contributed to this story.
People in McLean and Tysons have the chance to help others through a series of upcoming donation drives.
With the holiday season approaching, Toys for Tots has set up a drop-off area for toy donations in Tysons, while Soles4Souls will collect gently used shoes in McLean.
Toys for Tots is organized through the United States Marine Corps to help struggling families afford Christmas gifts for their children. Around 97% of proceeds go to families in need, according to the website. The remaining 3% covers administrative costs.
Anyone wishing to donate toys can bring them to Meineke Car Care Center (1524 Spring Hill Road). The last day for donations to Toys for Tots is Dec. 12.
Soles4Souls is a non-profit based in Nashville that fights poverty, according to its website.
Shoes will be accepted at the Joy Deevy Relator Office (6849 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 400) until Dec. 1.
Photo via Toys4Tots/Facebook
For the nearly 56,000 students in Fairfax County Public Schools living at the poverty line, obtaining school supplies can be difficult.
In an attempt to change this, FCPS is partnering with roughly 20 nonprofits and businesses to ensure that students will have the supplies they need this fall for its “Collect for Kids” campaign.
“Every school in FCPS is touched by need — some schools have as little as 1% of their students in need, while others have over 80% of students in need,” Kathy Ryan, an FCPS spokeswoman, said.
Community members can drop off new backpacks to various locations in the Tysons area, which FCPS will then hand out to kids for the start of the school year in August.
Backpack drop off locations include any Apple Federal Credit Union, the FCPS Gatehouse Administration Center (8115 Gatehouse Road), and a few other places. Some in the greater Tysons area include:
- Apple Federal Credit Union in Falls Church (1118 W. Broad Street)
- Freedom Bank in Vienna (502 W. Maple Avenue)
- Alya Salon (139 Park Street SE)
FCPS also has a goal to raise $25,000 dollars — monetary donations are accepted online.
“Increasing the awareness of the number of students in FCPS that need this yearly support is also a goal,” Ryan said.
Photo courtesy FCPS
If you didn’t get your ice cream fill on Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s, you can stop by Häagen-Dazs tomorrow (Tuesday) for more.
The Häagen-Dazs on the second floor of Tysons Corner Center is set to participate in the chain’s Free Cone Day. From 4-8 p.m. tomorrow, one mini-cone per customer will be given away for free, according to the Tysons Corner Center website.
The event also serves as a promotion for the chain’s Häagen-Dazs loves Honey Bees Initiative, a fundraising effort to develop solutions for Colony Collapse Disorder, which is placing the future of the food chain at risk. Donations to the fundraiser can be made online.
Photo via Facebook
