Volunteer Alexandria Needs Help During COVID-19 Pandemic

Volunteer Alexandria needs volunteers — mostly delivery drivers — to help the city’s nonprofits, school system and food banks during the COVID-19 pandemic that has shut down most of the city.

Volunteer Alexandria Executive Director Marion Brunken told ALXnow that about 100 volunteers registered over the course of last weekend. The volunteers are asked whether they have been exposed to the virus.

“We kick in, mobilize people and deploy them. We have been proactive on the front lines asking nonprofits what we can do,” she said. “Right now we need volunteers to continue providing food to families by driving vans, sorting food and handing it out.”

Brunken said that Volunteer Alexandria is currently working with Senior Services of Alexandria meal deliveries, deliveries to school families unable to get to an Alexandria City Public Schools distribution point, and next week will start assisting ALIVE!, which is also in need of contributions.

“While this is really an awful situation for many nonprofits, I told staff it’s a huge opportunity to develop innovative virtual programs,” Brunken said. “We need people to stay safe. Really focus on the most essential programming and take precautions before you volunteer. And we need funds. Many nonprofits like us have canceled major fundraisers, and we are in the hole.”

Volunteer Amanda Hazelwood was going stir crazy, and signed up with Volunteer Alexandria. She took a selfie in her car to mark the moment.

“Car selfie of that time I used my first assignment as a COVID-19 community volunteer with Volunteer Alexandria as an excuse to finally get dressed,” Hazelwood posted on Facebook.

There are currently four cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, and one city resident is infected in New York City.

Volunteer Alexandria noted that the following nonprofits are in need of assistance:

Center for Alexandria’s Children
In-kind needs: 80 plastic envelopes (i.e. Poly Button & String Document Envelopes – 8.5″ x 11″)
Drop off details:  1900 N. Beauregard Street, Suite 200, Alexandria VA
Notes: Typically 8:30  AM – 5:30 PM but in flux at this time

Community Lodgings
In-kind needs: donations of supplies for our families (cleaning supplies, hygiene care, non-perishable foods, etc.)
Drop off details: TBD

Computer C.O.R.E.
In-kind needs: 100 laptops
Drop off details: 5881 Leesburg Pike, Suite 204, Falls Church, VA 22041. Email Donna Walker James, [email protected] to make an appointment.

Senior Services of Alexandria
In-kind needs: Small personal sized hand sanitizers
Drop-off details: Call first – 703 836 4414 x111. 206 N Washington Street, Suite 301 between the hours of 9 a.m. to -4:30 p.m.

Northern Family Virginia Services
In-kind needs: Diapers, shelf-stable canned goods, household cleaning supplies (Clorox wipes, Lysol, rubbing alcohol), antibacterial soap, grocery gift cards
Drop off details: NVFS SERVE Campus, 10056 Dean Dr, Manassas, VA 20110;
Notes: Please consider mailing donations to: NVFS Headquarters, 10455 White Granite Drive #100, Oakton, VA 22124

City of Alexandria’s Domestic Violence Program
In-kind needs: Any pantry goods; cleaning supplies
Drop-off details: call 703-746-4911 between 9-5 p.m. to make arrangements

Volunteers of America Chesapeake
In-kind needs: Over the Counter Medications (Tylenol, Advil, Cough Syrup, Pepto Bismol); Laundry Detergent; Shampoo/Soap/Conditioner; Toothbrushes/ Toothpaste; Peanut Butter/Jelly; Canned Tunafish; Granola Bars; Crackers; Canned Soup; Canned Fruit; Applesauce
Drop-off details: 2355-B Mill Road, Alexandria VA 22314.  Donations can be accepted at any time.

Staff photo by James Cullum