<sh>Coat Drive Under Way
<bt>Reston Interfaith, a non-profit service organization, and Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) are partnering together for the third consecutive year to collect coats for low-income residents of the area.
"Through the generous contributions of the community, needed assistance will once again by given to those unable to otherwise shield themselves and their children from the winter elements," Hudgins said in a press release.
The Winter Coat Closet started collecting donations Monday and will continue until Feb. 12. Located at the North County Government Center, at 12000 Bowman Towne Dr, the coat closet is accepting new and "gently used" winter coats on Mondays, from 10 a.m. until noon, and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The program, started in 2001, is also seeking volunteers to assist clients, greet donors and sort coats. To help out, contact Faye Yu at 703-481-8276 or e-mail faye.yu@restoninterfaith.org.
<sh>Buff Nominated for RCC Board
<bt>The Reston Community Center Board of Governors voted Thursday night to nominate Mary Buff to replace John Lovaas, who resigned from the board two weeks ago after saying he disagreed with the direction the board's leadership was taking.
Buff, who is also the vice president of the Republican Club of Greater Reston, ran in RCC's Preference Poll last month. She received the next-highest number of votes in the poll.
Vacancies have arisen for the RCC board only a few times in the past, though tradition dictates that the next-highest vote recipient is appointed.
Buff's nomination must be considered by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) said the board would vote on Buff's nomination at the Dec. 6 supervisors' meeting.
<sh>GRACE Raises $25,000
<bt>Greater Reston Arts Center's "C-Note" art sale brought in more than $25,000 for the Reston organization, a record for the annual charity sale. Proceeds from the benefit, in which ticket holders selected artworks in a lottery, will be put toward GRACE's educational outreach programs, including Art in the Schools, children workshops, exhibitions, lectures and community programs. More than 350 people bought artworks by accomplished local and regional artists, some of whom were featured at the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, The Torpedo Factory, and the Washington Project for the Arts/Corcoran Museum of Art.
<sh>Church Offers Alternative Gifts
<bt>The Unitarian Universalist Church of Reston is hosting an alternative holiday gift market at which people can purchase gifts that benefit social justice and welfare organizations around the globe. Also, a number of "fair trade" products will be offered at the market.
The "Life-Giving Gifts for a Needy World" market will be held Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Unitarian church is located at 1625 Wiehle Ave.
Last year, the market raised more than $20,000 for various charity organizations, many of which assist impoverished people in the developing world, said the Rev. Sydney Wilde.
<sh>Ice Rink Benefits Coalition
<bt>Reston Town Center's Ice Skating Pavilion contributed $2,632 of its first week's proceeds to Reston's Character Counts! Coalition, which sponsors ethics day at South Lakes High School and other activities at Reston schools.
The holiday contribution has become an annual tradition for the ice skating rink, which is owned by Equity Office and operated by Lance Curran. In the past, it has given a portion of its first week's proceeds to schools, scout troops and other community groups.
Character Counts! is a national non-profit program designed to teach children and adults the fundamentals of good character, including trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
<sh>Calendar
<bt>Reston Association Board of Directors Informal Meeting. Thursday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at RA Main Offices, 1930 Isaac Newton Sq.
Reston Association Board of Directors Regular Meeting. Thursday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at RA Main Offices, 1930 Isaac Newton Sq.
Reston Community Center Board of Governors Meeting. Monday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. at RCC-Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road.