|
|
|
President's Report | |
It is my pleasure to inform you that we have hired a new Executive Director, Gale Napoliello, who will begin working for us in mid April. Gale served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years rising to the rank of Commander. Following her military retirement she worked for TASC as a Policy Analyst. She holds a B.S. Degree in Business and two Masters Degrees, one in Political Science and the second in National Security & Strategic Planning. Her work assignments during her service to our Country utilized many of the skills intrinsic to the role of Executive Director. Gale is eager to provide support for the Board of Directors efforts to keep FISH functioning and growing to further serve people needing assistance in the Herndon - Reston area. We look forward to introducing her to all of you, our volunteers and supporters.
We have been delighted with the success of our recent Grant proposals thanks to our grant writers, Marcia and Tony Di Trapani, JoAnn Bordeaux, and Jim Hardcastle. Please see the list of grantors in the sidebar of this newsletter. The Bargain Loft, under the management of April Elliott and Barbara Williams, has been producing more revenue for our assistance program. We thank all of you who give donations to the Bargain Loft. We have had some additional fund raising opportunities with a Gold Party, hosted by Jean Boston; a Premier Jewelry party hosted by Inga Marler; and a CAbi clothing party and a Pampered Chef Party hosted by Susan Sather & Janet Hyman. And we had a weekend of contributions from Red, Hot & Blue in Herndon. Red, Hot & Blue has an ongoing 15% contribution for any diner who requests that FISH receive a percentage of funds for their meal. These funds are invaluable to our assistance program.
FLING 2012 preparations are underway and we hope that many of you will be joining in the fun filled evening on May 19, 2012. Look for your FISH Fling invitation in a few weeks.
Happy Spring,
Janet L. Hyman, President
|
|
FISH FLING 2012 |
Plans are underway to make the 7th Annual FISH Fling on May 19, 2012 the best ever. Once again the FISH Fling will be held at the Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport Hotel in Herndon. We will have great auction items, a great dinner menu, fun games, a live band (Free Tom) that promises lively dance music. Our DJ, Board Member Carl Larsen, will play quiet music during dinner.
All proceeds from the auctions will go to support FISH Family Assistance. FISH needs your support at our FISH Fling Gala and Fundraiser. Please plan to join us and have a lot of fun while supporting FISH. The requests for assistance have never been greater.
Raffle- This year's raffle includes the opportunity to purchase tickets for an exciting travel vacation. See the sidebar of the newsletter for details of the raffle.
Sponsors - Early sponsors for the Fling include Volkswagen Group of America, Reston Community Center, Dominion, NRTC, Rotary Club of Herndon, Griffin-Owens Insurance & Financial Services, United Christian Parish and the Reston Hospital Center. Please consider being a FISH Fling sponsor. Contact Marcia Di Trapani at Marcia.DiTrapani@HerndonRestonFISH.org for information on sponsorship.
Auction - Merchandise and gift certificates are pouring in for the FISH Fling silent auctions. Some of the early donations include: Wolf Trap tickets, white water rafting with River Riders, Bike the Sites in Washington, art work from local artists including Lassie Corbett, neighborhood theme gift baskets, Washington Nationals tickets, and a Virginia wine tour from Reston Limousine. FISH always receives a broad array of gift certificates and merchandize from Herndon and Reston businesses and this year is no exception. We, in turn, need to support them. In addition to the silent auction, there will be a live auction with Delegate Tom Rust as our auctioneer.
|
|
That $4 Cup of Coffee | |
With an interesting phrase such as "a $4 cup of coffee," Don Owens talks about managing your money at a financial workshop offered by Herndon-Reston FISH in cooperation with Reston Interfaith. Those who receive assistance from FISH are asked to take the hour and a half workshop and they are required to take it before receiving assistance a second time from FISH. Don gets participants to think about how they spend money, shows them how to develop a budget and keep track of expenses, and offers participants suggestions on how to improve their financial education. A copy of the Financial Education Curriculum from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is distributed to attendees.
Since 2008, when the workshop started, 1,034 people have attended. A pre- and post-class questionnaire about budgeting principles provide a means of finding out what people learn. The responses are reported to Fairfax County as a requirement of the grant FISH receives from the county. Childcare is provided for participants taking the workshop. Some of the positive responses were "Great class, very informative" and "FISH is wonderful! Don Owens is a great speaker." Others who have taught the workshop are Harry Hager and Viveka Fuenzalida. Peggy LeReche is the program coordinator with assistance from Inga Marler and Marcia Di Trapani. The coordinators keep track of attendees and the reporting of class questionnaires. All of these volunteers generously donate their time to FISH.
|
|
|
President - Janet Hyman
Newsletter Managing Editor - Mary Jo Baedecker
FISH is a member of the following campaigns:
United Way Campaign No. 8359
Combined Federal Campaign No. 83534
 |
|
|
|
Thanks to our Grantors |
FISH has been fortunate to have received several grants this fiscal year (starting July 1). We could not provide the amount of financial assistance we do without the generous support of our grantors:
Fairfax County Community Funding Pool
United Way Community Impact Fund
Gannett Foundation
The Closet
The Nelson J and Katherine Friant Post Foundation
RealNetworks Foundation
Giving Circle of Hope
John & Hilda Arnold Foundation
The Sallie Mae Fund
MAXIMUS Foundation
Two representatives from MAXIMUS Foundation presented FISH with a donation. From Left Ellen Graves, FISH Board member, Christine Vaughn Graham, from MAXIMUS, Suzanne Rudiselle, FISH Board member, and Pam Corbett, from MAXIMUS. We greatly appreciate their generosity. |
|
Buy a Raffle Ticket
and WIN! | |
As part of the FISH Fling, as in previous years, we are conducting a raffle. Raffle tickets are $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00 and may be purchased before the FISH Fling at The Bargain Loft, from a FISH Board member, or at the Fling. The drawing will be held at the FISH Fling on May 19. You need not be present to win.
LOOK at the Prizes!!!
1st Prize
Three NIGHTS WITH BREAKFAST
FOR TWO IN ANY PARTICIPATING
MARRIOTT HOTEL OR RESORT
In USA, Canada, or Mexico
Donated by:
Marriott International, Inc.
includes
AIRMILES
Donated by:
Chris Griffin & Don Owens
Valid until April 27, 2013
2nd Prize
CRUISE TO BAHAMAS
FOR TWO OR
$400 CREDIT TOWARD CRUISE OF YOUR CHOICE
Donated by:
Cruise Planners/ American Express
|
|
Empty Bowls |
Many people may be surprised to learn that 1 in 6 people in Fairfax County do not have enough food to sustain a healthy life. The non-profit, The Giving Circle of Hope, sponsors an annual event called Empty Bowls that raises funds for Food for Others, the largest distributor of food to those in need in Northern Virginia. This year Empty Bowls will be held at Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon on Friday, April 13. Tickets are $20 for a bowl of soup, bread, dessert and a clay bowl of your choice made by local potters. Tickets can be purchased by calling
703-207-9173 by April 9. | |
|
Giving Circle of Hope Grantees Reception | |
FISH was fortunate to receive a grant from the Giving Circle of Hope and we joined other grantees at a reception held at the Reston Towne Center. This gave us an opportunity to showcase our new poster that describes our programs. |
|
Bargain Loft | |
Please continue to donate your unwanted items to the Bargain Loft.
The hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 10-3 and Saturday 10-4. Call 703-437-0600 for questions about donations. | |
|
|
Volunteering | | Volunteers are needed to:
-work at the Bargain Loft as cashiers or sorting merchandise.
-help with Family Assistance to receive telephone calls and process the information.
-drive those in need to medical appointments.
To volunteer call 703-437-0600 and leave your name and contact information. |
|
Quick Links | www.HerndonRestonFISH.org
FISH and The Bargain Loft are on Facebook.com
If you're on Facebook, be sure to show us to your friends by "liking" us
~~~~~~~~
The Bargain Loft sells on eBay! under the name
DownstairsUpstairs
|
|
|
