To the Editor:
On behalf of the 20 local faith communities represented on the "Works Sunday" Committee, we write to express our heartfelt thanks to the extraordinary people of Reston and Herndon for their 17th consecutive year of wholehearted support of this unique day of charitable outreach and giving. As in years past, we can only marvel at their overwhelmingly generous response, and assure them of our gratitude, and that of the many people in whose lives they have made a real difference for the good.
On the weekend of Aug. 18-19, more than 200 "Works Sunday" volunteers cheerfully stepped up to offer a helping hand, a friendly face and a ready smile to our neighbors in need. Through their efforts, the hungry, the homeless, the hurting and people with disabilities among us were touched by one or more of the 19 projects on the "Works Sunday 2012" program. And we thank them and honor them for their selfless contributions.
However, that’s not the whole story…
None of that would have been possible without the astounding largesse of you, the residents of Herndon and Reston, who donated record amounts of urgently needed food and personal items to our collections for Reston Interfaith and those whom it serves. Yet again, your incredible generosity has helped make "Works Sunday" a life-affirming celebration of joy, caring and compassion, born of the interplay of the shared values and vibrant diversity that mark our communities. It is truly an honor to work with you all—you who gave so freely of your time, talent and resources to make "Works Sunday" for 2012 the grand success that it was.
To all these good people—and to the civic-minded local merchants who made it possible for us to approach them via public events at their stores—the 2012 "Works Sunday" Committee extends its most sincere and heartfelt thanks. During the coming year, we know you will continue to assist those in need by prayer and in deed and we hope to have the privilege and pleasure of seeing each of you again for "Works Sunday 2013."
Wishing God’s blessings upon all,
The "Works Sunday 2012" Steering Committee
Christopher Wist, St. Thomas à Becket Catholic Church
Jacqueline Bolware, Heritage Fellowship Church
Angela Harpalani, Heritage Fellowship Church