 A.L.I.V.E.! (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of volunteers from nearly 40 religious congregations (including Washington Street UMC) and the community working together to help those in need in Alexandria, Virginia. Founded in 1969, ALIVE! is the largest private safety net for the needy in the city of Alexandria, addressing short-term to long-term needs for those less fortunate in the community.
A.L.I.V.E.! serves over 12,000 Alexandrians annually with shelter; low-cost early childhood education and childcare; financial help for rent, utilities, medical care and other critical needs; emergency food; and deliveries of donated furniture and housewares.
More than 700 volunteers a year help ALIVE! fulfill the mission to put faith and love into action. Of ALIVE!’s seven programs, five are staffed and managed entirely by volunteers. A.L.I.V.E.! is Alexandrians helping Alexandrians.
Some ways to volunteer to help A.L.I.V.E.! –
A.L.I.V.E.! Furniture Delivery – One month of each year, Washington Street Church is responsible for providing 2-3 persons to move furniture on a Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. The time commitment is until noon. This is a real way to provide help to our neighbors in Alexandria. Volunteers will have direct contact with families they are helping.
March and August are the two months that WSUMC is responsible for helping fill the food pantry of A.L.I.V.E.! (although we send food and household items at other times of the year, too.) Items that are especially needed are: peanut butter, canned meat, canned tuna, dried beans, rice, pasta, fruit juice, canned fruit, cereal, sugar (unopened), flour, canned or instant milk. Bring items to the Education Building of WSUMC.
Walk for a Good Cause..............Annual Walkathon in May to benefit the ALIVE! Child Development Center (CDC). Step Alive! walkers from the ALIVE congregations and the Alexandria community will gather at the First Christian Church, 2723 King Street, at 1:30 p.m. for a five mile walk through Old Town. There will be a picnic immediately following the walk. There are registration fees for adults and for seniors and youth. (There is no fee for children under 12.) Walkers are encouraged to raise additional funds through pledges of support from friends, family and associates. Pledge forms and additional information about the event are available on-line at www.alive-inc.org or by phone at 703-837-9300. Please join us for a fun and rewarding day in support of this important program!
Last Saturday in the Month A.L.I.V.E.! Food Distribution at the Cora Kelly School Recreation Center (Commonwealth & Reed Avenues) to distribute food from the National Capital Area Food Bank and the USDA Food Program. Starts at 9:00 a.m. with a time commitment of 2-4 hours.) This event does not occur in November and in December on regularly scheduled last Saturdays.
Turkey Trot, Thanksgiving Day. Race starts at 10:00 a.m. sharp at Cora Kelly Rec Center, corner of Commonwealth Ave and W. Reed Ave, Alexandria. Please support ALIVE! , a nonprofit organization serving Alexandria's needy, by donating two nonperishable food items (cans, boxes) on race day. http://www.visitdelray.com/turkeytrot
For questions about any of these ways to volunteer for A.L.I.V.E.! through Washington Street Church, contact Deborah Patterson.
Visit the A.L.I.V.E web site.
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