When you think about getting involved with nature, it’s natural to imagine sunshine giving way to lush forests. Instead, the Plant NOVA Trees Coordinators Margaret Fisher and Heidi Allen say that winter is the best time to get out with the trees.
The seasonal chills encourage us to huddle close to those we care about. As November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, it’s also about the gift of today.
As the last leaves fall and the holidays rise, it’s the season for home.
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“So many people know there’s a problem, they want to help, but they don’t know what way will be most effective,” said Oakton Pantry Founder Cathy Jaquette. When Jaquette founded the Pantry at Oakton High School, she built a way for the community to help each other.
“Every day we are innovating,” Naina Narayana Chernoff said as co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit trade school Inclusive Pathways to Success (IPS). IPS welcomed its first cohort of students in October as part of a four-week pilot carpentry program.
Rounding out Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Side-Out Foundation Executive Director and Founder Rick Dunetz focuses on advocacy over awareness. “We’re aware. It’s not good,” he said.
“I’ve learned to trust… When people know there’s a problem, they can be very generous,” said LINK Food Pantry Manager Bob Ashdown. That generosity is why the large organization celebrated their 50-year anniversary in Herndon on Oct. 16.
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Ronald and Lisa Suddarth are celebrating their 35th anniversary this month in the comfort of their Fairfax home. The home isn’t new–it was built in 1979 and they’ve lived there since 2006–but the comfort is since they’ve ended their four-year stint without heating or air conditioning.
"I was tired of holding it in my mind and I just had to get it out and build it together and, if nothing else, see what would happen,” said Lorton resident Tiffany Hamilton. Hamilton launched the activewear brand Victor Wear with her son Isaiah this past April.
Fairfax County Police 2nd Lt. Roger Henriquez has been friends with Armstrong Elementary Kindergartener Vivienne (Vivy) since she was 18 months old. Henriquez caught Vivy’s attention while filling in as a crossing guard at the school when they were short-staffed.
Kevin Koerner is a 23-year-old high school math teacher from Elkton, Md. who is “really good friends” with Colton Higgins, a 9-year-old Springfield resident. Koerner met Higgins and his family for the first time at halftime during the match between Nashville Soccer Club and Austin FC at GEOD…
Among pandemic passion projects, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) seniors Jaya Gupta and Thrisha Sakamuri co-founded Girls and Literature (GAL) to drive female literacy worldwide and at home.
Stephen Markle is one of two recipients of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board’s 2022 Elly Doyle Park Service Award. The award goes to volunteers who left a positive mark on county parks. Part of the reason Markle is being recognized is for leading invasive plant management.
Vienna resident Holly Seibold can recall an article she read in early 2015. It was about an organization helping women seek independence from domestic violence by preparing them for job interviews.
The mission of the nonprofit Growth and Inspiration through Volunteering and Education (GIVE) is “to provide an opportunity for students to reach their fullest potential by breaking down the economic and social barriers [to education],” said Executive Director of Outreach Hana Choi.
“When I was visiting my grandfather during his chemo, I remember that … I specifically disliked the color white,” McLean High rising senior Olivia Zhang said, recalling the time she spent at the hospital with her grandfather.
Helping Kids Worldwide combats the separation of children from their families
When the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV) began to partition their grant money into smaller awards years ago, it was about augmenting their scope.
Earlier this year, Troop 160 Life Scout Nicholas Flanigan aimed to become an Eagle Scout–a rank that has all the qualities of a scout with perseverance and leadership.
High schooler’s partnership with Shoes That Fit donates to Cora Kelly
Nonprofit Kids Give Back teaches kids about volunteering
After Meredith Hedrick got her degree in international relations, she volunteered with the Peace Corps in Turkmenistan. It has been 24 years since she returned from being a Peace Corps volunteer, but the influence remains to this day–both intentional and coincidental.
Deidra Reid offers financial help no matter the circumstance
Passion for Community builds relationships while helping people build a home
Local fraternity chapter has roots in mentorship, social action, and education
Community of women donating time and necessities
The Arc of Nova President Mark Albert reminisces on the organization
Michael Kimlick’s philosophy on baseball with the challenger division
GMU graduate’s experience in Best Buddies programs
The Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund’s ongoing workforce program
High school club is revitalizing relationships with elders
Theresa Fruet spends years making afghans to donate
TJ Club helps increase special needs students communication
Local senior centers organize donation drive to keep community warm
An open heart symbol adorning shirts, charms, and wooden signs is the icon of the Vienna-based Rustic Love organization. What started as a pandemic project to embrace the community has amassed a life of its own and stretched across the county. Now an official 501c3 nonprofit, Rustic Love has…
Chelsea Hu has been the head of an innovative art non-profit that stretches across the globe in participation and impact, for nearly three years; all of it accomplished while under the age of 18. Hu’s idea was born from an abiding love for art and was conjured up at a leadership camp hosted …
Female entrepreneurs join in a shared workspace to collaborate on common issues
Northern Virginia’s chapter has served nearly 2,000 cakes since 2019
Astudia gives students opportunity to get involved, with focus on mental health
Thousands in gift cards collected for those displaced by fire
Aaron Letteri’s latest project involved collecting coats to donate to those enduring homelessness
The nonprofit isn’t just making dog treats this holiday season
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