Casa Chirilagua

City Council to consider nonprofit lease renewals, receive Torpedo Factory operator proposals

Published May 11, 2026 at 3:45PM

Casa Chirilagua at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue (via Facebook)

Alexandria City Council will consider extending leases to allow nonprofits and other programs to keep operating at its meeting on Tuesday (May 12).

City Council will consider setting a public hearing for Saturday (May 16) on a new five-year lease agreement with nonprofit Casa Chirilagua at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria, as well as three-year lease extensions for the Alexandria Boxing Club at Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) and the Child and Family Network Centers at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 West Reed Avenue).

Around Town

Alexandria’s annual community cookout series launches today

By James Cullum

Published May 7, 2026 at 10:00AM

Community Cookouts (via City of Alexandria)

The 19th annual Alexandria Community Cookout series launches today (Thursday), bringing weekly events with free food, activities and giveaways across the city.

More than 50 city agencies and nonprofits are participating in the weekly cookouts, which are expected to reach thousands of Alexandria residents this spring and summer. The first cookout, delayed by yesterday’s weather, will take place on its rain date today at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center from 6-7:30 p.m.

News

Spring2ACTion eclipses goal and raises $3.5 million for Alexandria nonprofits

By James Cullum

Published April 23, 2026 at 11:15AM | Updated April 23, 2026 at 3:27PM

ACT for Alexandria staff in Old Town (via Act For Alexandria:Facebook)

ACT for Alexandria has done it again. On Wednesday, Spring2ACTion, the biggest day of giving in Alexandria, raised more than $3.4 million for 198 area nonprofits.

Spring2ACTion is the main annual fundraiser for most participating nonprofits. ACT for Alexandria eclipsed its $2.5 million goal for the event, which drew participation from more than 7,000 donors, 198 nonprofits and more than 60 businesses.

Around Town

‘Operation Elf’ toy drive distributes holiday gifts to children of inmates, local nonprofits

By James Cullum

Published December 16, 2025 at 1:45PM

Toys from Operation Elf going to the children of inmates at the Alexandria jail (staff photo by James Cullum)

In a room packed with toys and books, the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office gathered more than 50 gift bags for kids today (Tuesday), hoping to spread cheer to children of inmates this holiday season.

Since last month, the office has collected gifts for the families of 55 inmates, with kids receiving five gifts each. It’s all part of Operation Elf, the office’s annual holiday toy drive.

News

Code Rising gives Alexandria students laptops after summer program

By James Cullum

Published August 15, 2025 at 6:00PM | Updated August 16, 2025 at 10:32PM

Participants of Code Rising's 2025 summer camp (courtesy image)

Code Rising gave dozens of Alexandria students a nice surprise with the end of their second annual summer camp this month — new laptops.

The Alexandria nonprofit was founded two years ago to help underprivileged kids learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The summer program provided elementary, middle and high school students with an introduction to STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) through the summer months, with students learning coding, making short movies and video games. They also went on weekly field trips, including to Continues Arcade in Old Town and more.

News

Nonprofit serving Latino youth in Arlandria aims to raise $250K by August 27

By James Cullum

Published July 23, 2025 at 3:35PM

Casa Chirilagua at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue (via Facebook)

A nonprofit serving Arlandria’s Latino community is trying to raise $250,000 by Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Casa Chirilagua (4109 Mount Vernon Avenue) launched its Summer Challenge Campaign today to fund its programming, serving over 400 people.

News

Alexandria nonprofit serving Latino families wants to raise $120K by Dec. 31

By James Cullum

Published December 17, 2024 at 3:45PM

Casa Chirilagua at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue (via Facebook)

A nonprofit serving Arlandria’s Latino community is trying to raise some big bucks before the end of the year.

After a disappointing Spring2ACTion fundraiser earlier this year, Casa Chirilagua is trying to raise $120,000 to fund their programming to serve 400+ people, and also keep the lights on. The deadline for giving is Dec. 31.

News

Spring2ACTion shatters record by raising $2.9 million for Alexandria nonprofits and charities

By James Cullum

Published April 27, 2023 at 10:45AM | Updated April 27, 2023 at 12:04PM

(Photo via Runningbrooke/Facebook)

ACT for Alexandria did it again.

Wednesday’s Spring2ACTion fundraiser — the largest single day of giving in Alexandria — broke the record set two years ago by collecting $2.9 million for 182 local nonprofits. The 13th annual event received more than 7,700 individual donations and ACT for Alexandria exceeded its goal of $2.5 million.

News

Businesses across Alexandria are donating proceeds to Wednesday’s Spring2ACTion fundraiser

By James Cullum

Published April 24, 2023 at 2:45PM

Fibre space at 1319 Prince Street

A number of Alexandria businesses are donating a percentage of proceeds to local charities and nonprofits for this Wednesday’s Spring2ACTion fundraiser.

ACT for Alexandria’s goal this year is to raise $2.5 million from 10,000 donors for 185 participating nonprofits and charities.

News

Volunteers needed at Torpedo Factory Art Center and more than a dozen Alexandria nonprofits

By James Cullum

Published September 28, 2022 at 3:30PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

There are a number of ways to volunteer in Alexandria this fall.

Art lovers can get their fix by volunteering as gallery guides at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and sports enthusiasts can become volunteer sport coaches. The Carlyle House also needs a volunteer tour guide.

News

The Torpedo Factory Art Center needs volunteers, and so do a lot of organizations in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 17, 2022 at 2:15PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

There are still a number of ways to volunteer in Alexandria this summer.

Art and music lovers can get their fix by volunteering as gallery guides at the Torpedo Factory Art Center or as ushers with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.