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| Next Meeting |
The next ACCA board meeting will be
March 6
United Baptist Church
7100 Columbia Pike Annandale, VA 22003
Refreshments and fellowship
7:30 p.m.
Meeting
7:45 p.m.
Open to all visitors.
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If you are not on our mailing list and want to continue receiving updates from ACCA, please
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| Contact Information |
Mailing Address
7200 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003
Information
703-256-0100
Emergency
Assistance
(Fairfax County)
703-222-0880
Donations
(except furniture)
703-256-0100
Furniture Donations
703-256-9513
Email
accacares@verizon.net
ACCA Website www.accacares.org
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'Stuff the Bus' by the Numbers
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Volunteers help stock shelves at the ACCA food pantry
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The countywide "
Stuff the Bus
" food drive collected over 1,700 pounds of food at the Annandale Giant on Saturday, February 10.
Many thanks to the local community and many volunteers for their support with the latest food drive to help stock the ACCA Food Pantry. David Posey, manager of the Annandale Giant, and Fairfax County Supervisor Penny Gross provided community support and encouraged the community to participate.
Students from Annandale High School, Stuart, and Bishop O'Connell helped throughout the day. Youth and adults from Providence Presbyterian joined the high school volunteers to transport and shelve the food. The food pantry provides emergency food for individuals and families referred by social workers and ACCA member churches.
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Warmest Thanks
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Edgar Aranda, Legal Aid Justice Center, helps give donated coats to local families.
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Thank you to everyone who donated to the 12th annual Winter Clothing Drive! A special thanks to our wonderful volunteers who braved the frigid weather to help with the distribution on Wednesday January 17. We were able to share eight large bags of outerwear with the day laborers, then delivered 25 bags of clothing to the Safe Haven day shelter at the First Christian Church, and provided 12 bags of clothing to the children of the ACCA Child Development Center.
The drive has grown over the years and now includes 14 churches and organizations. Your kindness and generosity have touched many lives!
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Children enjoy music and other art programs at the CDC.
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Child Development Center News
The children at the
ACCA Child Development Center (CDC) enjoyed holiday celebrations in December. Families had the opportunity to take pictures with Santa, and received gifts from churches and Toys for Tots. Each child also received a new pair of shoes which were purchased with donations from CDC Board Members.
The CDC is under consideration for accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This accreditation ensures high-quality experiences for children in early learning programs. Every staff member now has either a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or a higher degree related to Early Childhood Education.
The center is also in the process of expanding its capacity to accommodate a growing enrollment of over 200 children!
Remember to support ACCA and the CDC using the Amazon smile program when you shop!
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Welcoming Refugees
At a time when the world is facing the largest global refugee crisis since World War II, our community's support in welcoming refugee families is more important than ever before.
Boldly welcoming families and children who seek refuge from war, poverty and persecution.
Lutheran Social Services/National Capital Area (LSS/NCA) engages the community to gather the resources refugee families need, providing support, compassion and hope as they build new lives and new homes in the Washington DC Metro Area. Together, with local partners, volunteers, and supporters, LSS/NCA resettles over 1,000 refugees each year.
View a short video about a recent arrival.
Can you help a refugee family resettle in Northern Virginia? The ACCA Board is considering the possibility of supporting a refugee family if there is interest and support from several ACCA churches.
If your church would like additional information, a Lutheran Social Services representative would be happy to come in person to speak to your congregation. Please contact Amy Meli at 202-723-3000. If you know you would like to volunteer, please contact ACCA Board member Nadia Fitzcharles (
nadia@sharingpeace.org) or Carol Weber (
caroljeanweber@hotmail.com).
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Tax Preparation Assistance
Free tax assistance is available now through Tuesday, April 17, 2018 (federal tax returns), thanks to AARP volunteers, who will be at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale. AARP volunteers provide walk-in services on: Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m .; Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. All returns are filed electronically. Bring documents, such as last year's tax return, a photo ID, and all Social Security cards. Residents with illnesses or infirmities, which confine them to their homes, may schedule appointments with AARP for tax preparation services by calling 571-766-6268. For more information about AARP Tax-Aide, visit
www.aarp.org/taxaide , or call 1-888-227-7669.
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Ministry Updates
Family Emergency Assistance served 38 households in January, providing $21,997 in emergency aid for rent, utilities, medical and other assistance.
The
Food Pantry made 63 deliveries in January assisting 151 individuals. Fifty families at Bailey's Elementary received a 3 - 4 day supply of food while 80 students from Mason Crest Elementary received power packs to help them over the weekends when their school breakfasts and lunches are not available.
The
Furniture Ministry made deliveries to 19 households and completed 25 pickups in January. The families served included several with single mothers, children, senior citizens, and people with special needs.
Annandale Meals on Wheels delivered 1866 meals to 26 clients in December and January.
This program provides meals to homebound elderly, disabled, or convalescing individuals unable to cook for themselves.
The joint
Shepherd's Center/ACCA Transportation Program provided 57 rides in December and January.
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Christmas Begins
By Howard Thurman
When the song of the angel is still
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among peoples,
To make music in the heart
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| Get our 2017 annual report. |
Inside, you will learn more about our programs and the impact we made within the community, read stories from individuals who we have served, and recognize the donors, volunteers, and community partners who have made all of these accomplishments possible.
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