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Doing GoodBy Amy Umble
Nov. 18, 2009 5:13 pm
According to the study, 95 percent say this holiday season, the country should focus on children. Many agencies have reported declines in giving during the recession. And World Vision itself has struggled in the tough times. The group saw donations dip by $33 million this year. But the agency takes hope in knowing that 74 percent of Americans plan to increase giving as soon as the economy improves.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1258582425
Collecting Goods for Head Start Nov. 17, 2009 3:15 pm
The holiday season is coming fast, and there will be many opportunities to help the needy this season. Right now, some University of Mary Washington students and staff are collecting shoeboxes for area Head Start students. Between three Head Start classes, they have 700 kids to help. The shoeboxes get stuffed with gloves, hats, scarves, crayons, small toys and other treats. To help, donate empty shoeboxes, shoeboxes filled with the items or any of the goodies. Please don't donate candy or food or religious items. Donations can be dropped off at the Office of Student Activities and Community Service in Sea cobeck Hall. The office hopes to provide gifts for 700 area Head Start students and needs the dona tions by Dec. 1. For details, call 540/654-1061 e–mail ceggenbe@umw.edu.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1258488937
Nov. 13, 2009 3:25 pm
Fuel Assistance application deadline extended until Nov. 16
Due to the recent inclement weather, the deadline to apply for Fuel Assistance has been extended until Monday, Nov. 16. Families and individuals must apply through their local departments of social services. The Fuel Assistance Program assists with various types of energy sources, including electricity, natural and liquid propane gas, oil, kerosene, coal and wood.
The program was created in 1979 and each year serves approximately 122,000 households across the Commonwealth. For more information on Energy Assistance, visit dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.html.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1258143916
Nov. 11, 2009 7:13 pm
November is National Adoption Month, and I'm hoping to introduce you to a waiting child each Wednesday. But I was out most of the day on interviews, so this one is a bit late. But I think he's worth it. Here's Charles. He's 14, loves pizza and has some developmental delays. To adopt Charles or any other waiting kids, call Krista McCulloch at 800/247-2888 or 804/353-0191.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1257984826
Nov. 4, 2009 3:41 pm
November is Adoption Awareness Month. And while Virginia has started a new initiative aimed at getting more foster children adopted, more than 800 are still waiting for a family. The Virginia effort is called the Children's Services System Transformation. So far, the intitiative hasn't officially reached the Fredericksburg office. But local Department of Social Services offices have implemented some of the practices, including creativity and individual attention in finding homes. In my almost three years as a social services reporter, I've met a lot of foster parents and adoptive parents. The first thing I noticed is that these parents aren't so different from me. They're really just average parents with huge hearts. It made me see how feasible adoption truly is. And most of the kids I've met are really wonderful. I've met kids on both sides: those who've been adopted and those who are waiting for a home. It is really eye-opening to see how much difference a family makes. And for most of us, it's something we take for granted. Today, I met a man who grew up in foster care and never got adopted. He ended up in jail and homeless. He has a warm heart and a gracious personality. And talking with him, I wondered where he might be now if he'd just had a permanent family. So, during November, I'd like to introduce you to some of the Virginia children waiting for a family. Just in case you're thinking about adding to yours. This is Heather, one of the children available through Children's Home Society of Virginia. If you'd like to know more about Heather or other children, contact Krista McCulloch at Children's Home Society of Virginia at 800/247-2888 or 804/353-0191.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1257367282
Nov. 4, 2009 3:18 pm
A new study just showed some intriguing numbers about food stamps. Here's a story from the AP: Half of US kids will get food stamps, study says CHICAGO — Nearly half of all U.S. children and 90 percent of black youngsters will be on food stamps at some point during childhood, and fallout from the current recession could push those numbers even higher, researchers say. The estimate comes from an analysis of 30 years of national data, and it bolsters other recent evidence on the pervasiveness of youngsters at economic risk. It suggests that almost everyone knows a family who has received food stamps, or will in the future, said lead author Mark Rank, a sociologist at Washington University in St. Louis. "Your neighbor may be using some of these programs but it's not the kind of thing people want to talk about," Rank said. See the full story here.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1257365880
Nov. 3, 2009 2:32 pm
In September, I wrote about some stimulus money that would be arriving soon. The money will, among other things, help renters who are being evicted because their landlords have been foreclosed. For two weeks after the story ran, I received calls from desperate renters who were being evicted immediately. Unfortunately, there weren't any answers for them. But the money is here now. The money aims to help two groups of people: those at immediate risk for homelessness and those who are now homeless but could have permanent housing with a little boost. Three area agencies--Thurman Brisben Center, the Salvation Army and Rappahannock Legal Services--will receive the money and provide services. For details, contact the Salvation Army at 540/373-3431, ext. 21. The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program case manager is Lizette Arce. Call her for a prescreening and leave your name, phone number and a brief message. You can also reach the Rappahannock Legal Services at: 540/374-9101 or apply online.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1257276765
Hollywood Promotes Volunteerism! Oct. 11, 2009 4:48 pm
Hollywood Promotes Volunteerism!
The Entertainment Industry Foundation (or EIF, the leading Hollywood charity) has created a multi-year campaign called I PARTICIPATE to help make service and volunteerism a national priority. The campaign will kick off with a week-long television event running from October 19 - 25.
More Information:
To search for ways to get involved in community service and volunteerism in our community please contact Rappahannock United Way’s Volunteer Services:
Call: 540/373-0041 ext. 314 Email: sbeck@rappahannockunitedway.org Log On: www.rappahannockunitedway.org/volunteer.html
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1255294130
Oct. 5, 2009 3:01 pm
This summer, I wrote about a new effort to help area refugees. The Imani Multicultural Center had just started a garden, where two families from Burundi were growing tomatoes. For the past month or so, those refugees have been picking a bumper crop. The tomatoes have fed several area families--and provided some extra income to the gardeners. Now, you can get some of those tomatoes--the garden is available for pick-your-own. Email imani.multicenter@gmail.com for details or call 540/308-3730.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1254769294
Food service groups offer help Oct. 1, 2009 2:41 pm
1. SERVE is in-between its regular stuff-the-truck food drives. The Stafford-based nonprofit usually stocks its shelves at these events held in the parking lots of Giant stores in Stafford. But, the next one isn't until Oct. 24, and the agency is looking at bare shelves. So SERVE is asking anyone with a few extra canned goods or jars of peanut butter to drop them off at the agency near the Stafford County courthouse. Call 540/288-9603 for details. I spent a day helping out at SERVE for a story this summer, and it amazed me how many people stop by for food. It also really touched me to see how much relief a box of food could bring. Like many, my family has been a bit frustrated with the rising costs at the grocery store. But my day at SERVE really made me think of how blessed I am to have that worry. I could, instead, have no idea how to feed my children. 2. Angel Food Ministries just sent out a press release. I couldn't see anything really new in the report--except that there are more sites in Virginia now. We've run stories before about the ministry, where people can get a box of food for about $30. One box should feed a family of four for about a week. I've talked with people who buy the boxes, and they always rave about the selection and quality. The ministry buys in bulk to keep costs down. This month's menu includes: 1.5 lb. New York Strips Steaks (3 x 8 oz.) 1 lb. Steak Fajita Strips 2 lb. Chicken Stir Fry Skillet Meal 1 lb. Lean Ground Beef 1.5 lb. Breaded White Meat Chicken Tenders 1 lb. avg. Center Cut Ham Steaks (Hickory Smoked) 1 lb. Bake or Fry Fish Sticks (32 sticks) 1 lb. Pasta 25 oz. Marinara Sauce 1 lb. Frozen Baby Lima Beans 1 lb. Frozen Mixed Vegetables 2 lb. bag Fresh Apples (8-10 ct.) 10 ct. Flour Tortilla Wraps 32 oz. 2% Shelf Stable Milk Dozen Eggs Dessert
Orders are due October 11, and nearby sites include:
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1254422505
Sep. 30, 2009 2:05 pm
Tomorrow, food stamps will officially be called SNAPs--supplemental nutrition assistance program. People getting the benefits do not need to reapply. They may, however, notice a change in the amount of help they receive. Virginia Department of Social Services says some benefits will go up; others will increase because of some changes to the program. For specifics, contact your local DSS: Caroline County: 804/633-5071 Fredericksburg: 540/372-1032 King George: 540/775-7181 Spotsylvania: 540/507-7898 Stafford: 540/658-8720
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1254333936
Sep. 15, 2009 12:32 pm
The UNHCR today announced that the late Ted Kennedy will receive the 2009 Nansen Refugee Prize. From the UNHCR:
Senator Kennedy’s work in establishing US refugee admissions, resettlement, and asylum programs directly helped millions of persecuted individuals to find protection and start new lives in the United States. He was the chief sponsor of more than 70 refugee related measures and was instrumental in codifying international refugee obligations into US law.
From his election in 1962, Senator Kennedy adopted a comprehensive approach in his fight for refugee protection. He effectively utilized his influence in the United States Congress to advance refugee and asylum-related legislation and to raise awareness of refugee crises.
The Nansen Refugee Award is given annually to an individual or organization for outstanding work on behalf of refugees. It includes a $100,000 prize that the winner can donate to a cause of his or her choice. It was created in 1954 in honour of Fridtjof Nansen, Norwegian explorer, scientist and the first UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
The award will be given in October.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=52&p=1253032357
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Amy Umble covers religion and social issues for The Free Lance-Star
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