The supplies that sustain Assistance League of Northern Virginia's philanthropic projects have a new home at McLearen Self Storage in Herndon.
The managers of the state-of-the-art storage facility at 13800 McLearen Road generously donated two storage units for Operation Hugs and Operation School Bell supplies this year.
The donation, worth more than $3,700, allowed the all-volunteer, nonprofit organization to consolidate boxes and bags of fabrics, pillow stuffing, infant clothing, sweat suits and toiletries that were overflowing in members' basements.
In addition to supporting Assistance League, McLearen Self Storage Manager Nate Rosen sits on a Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce committee that is developing a community outreach program to link nonprofit organizations and corporate donors.
Joining him at McLearen Storage are Brendon Whitfield, assistant manager and Keri Gallagher, property manager.
On March 14, Operation Hugs co-chair Grace Alderman of Herndon and vice-president of philanthropy Teri Lohmann of Oak Hill held an Operation Hugs workshop for the Lullaby Program at the League's storage units.
Eleven Assistance League members packaged infant blankets, handmade infant clothing, pacifiers, bottles and other essential items for new babies into layette bundles.
Members assembled 55 layette bundles for delivery to Inova Fairfax Hospital's OB/GYN Clinic, which serves new low income mothers who often have no social support system.
Assistance League of Northern Virginia is a chapter of National Assistance League, a nonprofit, nonsectarian, volunteer service organization founded in the early 1890s that promotes volunteerism through leadership training and education in 25 states.
Locally, Assistance League members implement its mission to promote the well being, self-esteem and education of at-risk youth and adults living in Northern Virginia through two philanthropic projects, Operation School Bell and Operation Hugs.
Since 1999, members have given more than 17,000 service hours and donated more than $45,000 to the community through Assistance League philanthropic projects.
For more information, contact the chapter membership chairman at 703-758-1085 or the chapter president at 703-758-8454. The National Assistance League web site is www.assistanceleague.org.