ACT for Alexandria | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published April 21, 2021 at 5:00AM

Spring2ACTion starts early giving — “Alexandria’s official Day of Giving is April 28, but early giving is open and residents are generously donating to more than 100 local nonprofit organizations.” [Alexandria Living]

Citizen group advicates to return to ward representation — “For most of its history since the early 1800s, the City of Alexandria had neighborhood-based representation on its city council. Now, a bipartisan coalition of residents is calling for a return to that type of government, arguing that ward representation would foster better service and accountability to residents.” [Alexandria Living]

News

Spring2ACTion fundraiser sets $2.5 million goal for Alexandria nonprofits

By James Cullum

Published April 14, 2021 at 3:30PM

ALIVE! gave out 13,000 pounds of food Saturday, and much of it was transported to a distribution point by DASH buses. The nonprofit is asking for donations in this year's Spring2ACTion event on April 28. (Photo via DASH/Facebook)

Spring2ACTion, the biggest annual fundraiser for Alexandria nonprofits, is around the corner and organizers want to raise $2.5 million from 10,000 donors.

On April 28, donors will get a 24 hour chance to contribute to more than 150 nonprofits in the city.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 30, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Calls Trump ‘Super Spreader in Chief’ — “The Super-Spreader-In-Chief strikes again. From coast to coast he visits American communities spreading dangerous aversion to science and public health precautions. He brings large groups of people together under unsafe conditions in state after state, and this is what results.” [Twitter]

Halloween Weekend Events in Alexandria — “While Alexandria police are not planning to close down Lee Street for the annual Halloween party, there are lots of activities Halloween weekend.” [Alexandria Living]

News

ACT for Alexandria is Hosting a Virtual Fundraiser for Artists on Saturday

By James Cullum

Published October 21, 2020 at 11:30AM

With limited public performances, shuttered galleries and cancelled events, the Alexandria art scene has been hit hard this year.

On Saturday (October 24), the Alexandria Arts Alliance and ACT for Alexandria will host a virtual fundraiser for arts organizations and artists in the city.

News

City: Residents Impacted by Pandemic Can Get Grocery Gift Cards

By James Cullum

Published October 8, 2020 at 10:30AM

Alexandria residents feeling the financial impact of the pandemic could be eligible to get $100 to $400 in grocery store gift cards as part of a new program with the city and ACT for Alexandria.

Residents who have not received financial help from the government will be prioritized for the ALX Cares Grocery Gift Card Program, which runs through December or until the funds run out.

News

ACT for Alexandria Holding Virtual Fundraiser Next Month

By James Cullum

Published August 10, 2020 at 5:20PM

ACT for Alexandria has broken fundraising records this year, and next month will celebrate its achievements with its first-ever virtual fall fundraiser.

“There is a lot to celebrate,” Heather Peeler, the CEO of ACT for Alexandria, told ALXnow. “We had our best-ever Spring2ACTion, we raised more than $1 million for the ACT Now Fund, and gave most of it away to 80 organizations, we are partnering with the city on a grocery gift card distribution program and launched a fund to support city employees on the front lines facing financial hardship.”

News

ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund Raises $1 Million, Gives Most to Local Nonprofits

By James Cullum

Published June 17, 2020 at 3:20PM

A mother and child at a food distribution outside Casa Chirilagua in Arlandria on Thursday, May 21, 2020. Casa Chirilagua is one of the recipients of the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

ACT for Alexandria’s ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund has now raised more than $1 million, and $910,000 has been given in grant funding to other city nonprofits.

ACT for Alexandria Executive Director Heather Peeler says that even though COVID-19 numbers are going down, the community needs are still great. The nonprofit has paused its grant request process for the month of June while it maps out its fundraising strategy for the rest of the year.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 11, 2020 at 9:00AM

Walking on King Street in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

ACT for Alexandria Calls COVID-19 a Racial Issue, Sends $900K to Nonprofits — “To work towards a community where all Alexandrians have an equal chance of living prosperous, fulfilling lives, we must work together to address systemic racism. That is a tall order. But together we can make a difference. Your support of the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund is an important step. That support allows our community to better respond to the needs of our neighbors facing overwhelming challenges.” [ACT for Alexandria]

Beyer Finds Fault in Indicted Fairfax County Police Officer — “This officer’s actions were unjustified, and he failed his oath to protect and serve. Body-worn camera footage clearly shows he escalated the situation with unnecessary violence against an unarmed black man.” [Twitter]

News

ACT for Alexandria Nears $1 Million Fundraising Goal, Will Temporarily Suspend Giving to Plan for Summer

By James Cullum

Published May 21, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated May 22, 2020 at 10:59AM

ALIVE! handed out four bags of food apiece at its drive-thru food distribution at Cora Kelly School and John Adams Elementary last Saturday morning. (Photo via ALIVE!/Facebook)

After receiving two recent donations totaling $150,000, ACT for Alexandria is nearing $1 million for its ACT Now COVID-19 response fund, and the organization will be taking a break from giving grants to nonprofits to plan for the summer.

“We’re working with the city and our nonprofit partners to think through what the next phase of recovery is going to look like,” ACT for Alexandria President and CEO Heather Peeler told ALXnow. “We’ll be pausing grant making for a couple of weeks. While we talk through and get a better sense for how the needs of our community are evolving.”

News

ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund Raises $777K, Local Nonprofits Get Most of it

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2020 at 2:00PM | Updated April 30, 2020 at 5:00PM

Food at ALIVE! (Photo via ALIVE!/Facebook)

The ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund has raised more than $777,000 from 780 donors, and has given away $619,000 to 67 nonprofits in and around Alexandria.

“There is nothing like the power of collective action, when we all take a small step that can add up to something really big,”ACT for Alexandria Executive Director Heather Peeler told ALXnow.

News

ALIVE! Has Another Food Distribution This Saturday and Needs Face Masks

By James Cullum

Published April 21, 2020 at 3:15PM

ALIVE! handed out four bags of food apiece at its drive-thru food distribution at Cora Kelly School and John Adams Elementary last Saturday morning. (Photo via ALIVE!/Facebook)

ALIVE! will conduct another food distribution to more than 1,000 families this Saturday, and the nonprofit needs face mask donations for volunteers.

“We received a donation from Yates Dry Cleaning,” ALIVE! Executive Director Jennifer Ayers told ALXnow. “We need more. We tried to order some recently and they’re hard to get. Right now we’re still waiting on them.”