Again this year, the Democratic Women of Clifton and Northern Virginia (DWCNV) will participate in two holiday projects for two organizations. The general public is invited to participate in the donations drive on Sunday, Nov. 16, 3 - 4 p.m. at the Clifton Community Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton.
For the fourth year, the DWCNV is coordinating with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) to collect toys for needy children throughout Northern Virginia. These donated gifts will be the only ones many of the children receive for Christmas. The toy drive is the highlight of the holiday season for both the first responders and the young gift recipients. Captain Will Bailey, project coordinator, will be on hand to receive donations. He will also speak about his experiences with these collections.
In addition to toys, the FCFRD will accept monetary donations to purchase new coats and tennis shoes for area children. Each year, the department distributes as many as 3,000 new coats to more than 50 schools, shelters, and nonprofits throughout Fairfax and Alexandria. These new coats are made in the U.S.A and purchased at a discount. This year they will also distribute tennis shoes that have been donated. Your donations of $2 per pair of these donated shoes is appreciated and will cover warehousing and distribution.
If you wish to contribute to the toy drive, bring new, unwrapped toys to the Nov. 16 meeting of the DWCNV. Gift cards from Target, Best Buy or Old Navy are welcomed for older children, who enjoy selecting their own gifts at these stores. Toys and games for older children (ages 9-12) are also needed. Please contact cliftonwomendems@aol.com to arrange a drop off; gift cards may be mailed to: DWCNV, P.O. Box 143, Clifton, VA 20124.
Monetary donations may also be mailed to the DWCNV at the above address, with checks made payable to "Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue." Toy donations that cannot be made by the time of the meeting can be dropped off at a drop off box at 12714 Chestnut Street, Clifton, VA (side porch) until Dec. 8. The donations of checks, toys or cash are tax deductible, and receipts will be provided for tax purposes.
Also, as in recent years, the DWCNV is sponsoring a collection of grocery store gift cards to benefit Our Daily Bread, a local nonprofit organization that provides food and assistance to Northern Virginia families experiencing financial hardship. Your gift card donation will be distributed to the families in January. Bring gift cards of any denomination from any local grocery store or checks payable to "Our Daily Bread" to the DWCNV meeting on Nov. 16 or mail them to the address above. These will be accepted until Dec. 31. Lisa Whetzel, Executive Director of Our Daily Bread will talk about their needs and what the organization is doing.
For more information, contact ucliftonwomendems@aol.com or call 703-830-1355.