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Notes: Fundraiser for family of former Afghan interpreter murdered in D.C. raises $488k

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 94. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning. At night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 7 mph.

🚨 You need to know

A GoFundMe supporting the family of Nasrat Ahmad Yar, a 31-year-old Alexandria resident and father of four who was murdered in D.C., has raised $488,760.

Yar worked with U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan as an interpreter and fled the country with his family after the Taliban took over. Yar worked as a Lyft driver and tow truck driver to support his wife and four children, from 15 months to 13 years. The GoFundMe said the funds go to the family to cover their basic living expenses and essential needs.

Hundreds attended Yar’s funeral in Fredericksburg on Saturday, including Army officers Yar served with, the Washington Post reported.

D.C. police said Yar was shot in the stomach and video footage near the scene showed four young people running through an alley after the shooting. One of them said “You killed him,” and another responded, “He was reaching bro.” The case remains under investigation.

Image via Facebook

📈 Tuesday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Jul 11, 2023.

  1. Notes: Fives Guys HQ moving to Alexandria this month (3547 views)
  2. Unhappy Amtrak passengers piling up in Alexandria after D.C. derailment (2115 views)
  3. Man steals trash bag full of items from CVS near Potomac Yard (796 views)
  4. Alexandria ranked as a top ten American city by travel magazine, but pushed down by a Tennessee city (673 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
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Notes: APD ‘determined’ to reduce crime near Braddock Road Metro after more shots fired

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

🌥 Today’s weather: Cloudy. Mild. High of 69 and low of 51.
🌥 Tomorrow: Cloudy. Mild. High of 72 and low of 52. Sunrise at 6:05 am and sunset at 8:04 pm.

🚨 You need to know

More gunfire was reported near the Braddock Road Metro station yesterday afternoon, prompting the Alexandria Police Department to tweet that it’s “determined” to solve recent crime issues.

“APD has taken action by installing cameras and increasing police presence in the area to ensure everyone’s safety,” APD tweeted. “No one has been hurt, but we’re determined to prevent any potential harm by keeping a police presence there until we resolve this violence.”

Thursday’s incident occurred in the same block as a number of recent shootings. The city is experiencing a crime surge, and police are fighting it by increasing patrols in high-crime areas, installing mobile camera units and hosting community events.

📈 Thursday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for May 4, 2023.

  1. JUST IN: Police investigating shots fired incident near Braddock Road Metro station (1834 views)
  2. Fundraiser established for family of the ACHS student who died this week (1203 views)
  3. Notes: Alexandria driver killed in hit-and-run in D.C. | ALXnow (727 views)
  4. JUST IN: Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced as Alexandria City Public Schools superintendent (516 views)

🗞 Other local coverage

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today and this weekend in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

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

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.

“Alexandria is an incredibly generous community,” ACT for Alexandria CEO Heather Peeler told ALXnow shortly after midnight. “People really want to give back and see our community thrive.”

The final tally keeps changing, as stragglers are allowed to donate on the Spring2ACTion website until Sunday, April 30.

Spring2ACTion is the main annual fundraiser for most of the participating nonprofits. The top three recipients are Move2Learn with $170,400, Casa Chirilagua with $167,994 and Carpenter’s Shelter with $91,938.

“They’re not doing the galas or the big events,” she said. “They’re using Spring2ACTion as a way to promote their organization, connect with donors, connect with local businesses, and raise critical funds.”

Peeler said that 75 Alexandria businesses also donated a portion of their proceeds toward the effort.

“It shows that Alexandra’s business community is is very connected to and supportive of the nonprofit community,” she said.

Peeler said that her staff of six employees are tired.

“We’re a little tired, to be honest, but we are super excited,” she said. “We have a tremendous sense of responsibility, because so many nonprofits really depend on Spring2ACTion for those donations to support their work.  It doesn’t happen overnight, even though it seems it all happens on one day. It’s many months of preparation in terms of connecting with potential donors, and providing training and opportunities for nonprofits to learn what they can do to have the best Spring2ACTion possible.”

Spring2ACTion has raised more than $20 million over the last 13 years.

Spring2ACTion Top 10:

  1. Move2Learn | Powered by Runningbrooke raised $170,400 from 174 donors
  2. Casa Chirilagua raised $167,994.79 from 327 donors
  3. Carpenter’s Shelter raised $91,938.53 from 289 donors
  4. Art League raised $83,214.50 from 205 donors
  5. The Alexandria Harmonizers raised $77,674 from 319 donors
  6. ALIVE! raised $74,756 from 423 donors
  7. Alexandria Tutoring Consortium raised $72,952 from 206 donors
  8. Alexandria Seaport Foundation raised $66,602 from 101 donors
  9. Friends of Guest House raised $62,833 from 141 donors
  10. Together We Bake raised $62,683 from 138 donors

Image via Running Brooke/Facebook

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

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.

Today, Piece Out Del Ray (2419 Mount Vernon Avenue) will conduct a bingo night from 7 to 9 p.m., with proceeds from $10 tickets benefiting Volunteer Alexandria.

“Come out for a fun night of BINGO and beer from Two Roads Brewing,” Piece Out Del Ray posted. “$5 drafts, food specials, beer swag and fun prizes. We will play 8 rounds of Bingo, so you have plenty of chances to win… Doors open at 5, and the first ball drops at 7.”

fibre space (1319 Prince Street) is extending its sample sale through Wednesday, and all proceeds will benefit Friends of Guest House, a nonprofit that helps women reenter society after prison.

“We do this once a year and it’s become a big hit since people always want to buy our shop samples and they aren’t usually for sale,” owner Danielle Romanetti told ALXnow.

Homegrown Restaurant Group has participated in the fundraiser since it began 13 years ago. Its six Alexandria restaurants will donate 10% of all sales to a number of charities and nonprofits.

“The HomeGrown Restaurant Group has been supporting ACT for Alexandria since the first year when John Porter strong-armed us into participating,” HRG co-owner “Mango” Mike Anderson told ALXnow. “Which has been the right move for us in supporting Alexandria. We encourage all Alexandrians to get on board this year and let’s make it a record year for ACT for Alexandria.”

HRG will donate 10% to from these locations to the following organizations:

Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap (401 E. Braddock Road) is also donating 15% of its proceeds Wednesday to AWLA.

Last year, ACT for Alexandria raised $2.65 million from 7,700 donors for 172 nonprofits. The top recipients last year were RunningBrooke, which took in $157,000 from 197 donors, Casa Chirilagua with $114,000 from 313 donors and Friends of Guest House with $112,000 from 180 donors.

Spring2ACTion officially starts at midnight on Wednesday (April 26).

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With $2.5 million goal, early giving for Alexandria’s Spring2ACTion fundraiser starts today

The biggest single-day fundraiser for Alexandria nonprofits  is around the corner, and early giving starts today.

ACT for Alexandria’s annual Spring2ACTion fundraiser is on April 26, and this year’s goal is to raise $2.5 million from 10,000 donors.

“I know our community will once again rise to the challenge to make sure all of our neighbors thrive,” said Heather Peeler, president and CEO of ACT for Alexandria (ACT). “Spring2ACTion is an opportunity for all Alexandrians to come together and support the nonprofits that are essential to our city.”

Nearly $19 million has been raised since the fundraiser was launched 13 years ago. There are 185 nonprofits participating this year, an increase of 13 organizations.

“We anticipate another incredible year where generous Alexandrians will come together and support the organizations that serve our community in the best of times and during challenging times,” Peeler said.

A number of nonprofits and residents are still struggling to recover from the pandemic, according to ACT for Alexandria.

Donors can also give to the Alexandria Resilience Fund, which helps families facing financial difficulties from the pandemic. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 467 households that have received a writ of eviction — a 372% increase compared to 2022.

“Now that eviction moratoriums and state rent relief programs have ended, low-income families have few options for managing the region’s high cost of living,” ACT for Alexandria said in a release.

Last year, ACT for Alexandria raised $2.65 million from 7,700 donors for 172 nonprofits. The top recipients last year were RunningBrooke, which took in $157,000 from 197 donors, Casa Chirilagua with $114,000 from 313 donors and Friends of Guest House with $112,000 from 180 donors.

Via Running Brooke/Facebook

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Nearly $60,000 raised for Alexandria bartender shot in attempted carjacking

Mason Social bartender James Lee (image via GoFundMe)

A GoFundMe campaign for James Lee, a bartender at Mason Social, has raised $58,653 to help him recover from being shot multiple times in an attempted carjacking.

Zebra reported last week that Lee was reportedly approached by two men while he was stopping for gas on Pennsylvania Avenue. The men allegedly drew their guns and told him to give up his car. When he got in the car and fled, he was shot seven times. He was able to get away and called 911 before passing out from his injuries.

According to the GoFundMe:

James, by the grace of God, survived, and continues to fight for a full recovery. He has endured three surgeries including one when a stint was put in his spine. He has a long, hard road to recovery and will be unable to work for the foreseeable future. His recovery could be anywhere from 6 months to a year.

James has a one year old son and a girlfriend who both mean the world to him. Medical and household expenses are mounting up. To help James support his family through this difficult time we are establishing a Go Fund Me page. We appreciate any contribution you can make towards assisting in his recovery after this senseless act of violence.

As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe has raised $58,653 of the $75,000 goal.

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Old Town Christmas tree sale helps fundraise for police department’s youth camp

Alexandria Police Foundation Christmas tree sale (via Alexandria Police/Twitter)

If you’re still looking for a Christmas tree, buying at one spot in Old Town could also help send kids to a local youth camp run by the Alexandria Police Department.

Proceeds from an ongoing Christmas Tree sale at 110 Callahan Drive — just outside Alexandria’s Union Station and the King Street Metro station — will help send kids to the Alexandria Police Youth Camp.

The camp, sponsored by the Alexandria Police Foundation, includes activities like water skiing, kayaking, sailing and fishing out in Kilmarnock, Virginia.

The sale runs every weekday from 4-8 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

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Giving Tuesday: Here are businesses participating in Alexandria

Fibre space at 1319 Prince Street

It’s Giving Tuesday, and a number of Alexandria businesses are donating a percentage of sales to nonprofits in partnership with the Old Town Business Association.

Unless specified, funds from these businesses will go to MedStreet, The Dream Project, The Potomac Conservancy and The Spitfire Club.

The event is part of Shop Small Week in Alexandria, which runs until Dec. 2.

There are just a handful of businesses within the Old Town Business Association participating:

  • Three Sisters Boutique (213 King Street) is sending proceeds to Medstreet
  • Chadwicks Restaurant, 203 The Strand Street
  • fibre space, 1319 Prince Street, is benefiting Project Knitwell
  • Lucky Knot, 101 King Street
  • Old Town Books, 130 S. Royal Street
  • Penny Post, 1201 King Street
  • Red Barn Mercantile, 1117 King Street
  • Salon DeZen, 118 N. Fayette Street
  • Ten Thousand Villages, 915 King Street

Dozens of businesses participated last year.

ACT For Alexandria is also fundraising for itself. This year the nonprofit, which steers funds toward Alexandria organizations in the annual Spring2ACTion fundraiser, is raising funds for itself.

For every dollar donated — up to $7,000 — will be matched by Verdence Capital Advisors.

“Giving Tuesday is the launching point for our end of the year campaign to raise funds for ACT for Alexandria,” said Kyle Reardon, the nonprofit’s communications and marketing manager. “We’re extremely thankful and excited to be partnering with Verdence. They’re being ext generous with their matching gift.”

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ACT for Alexandria asking donors to establish their ‘legacy’ in new fundraising campaign

Got space in your will for an Alexandria nonprofit?

ACT for Alexandria and Senior Services of Alexandria just launched Think Ahead Alexandria, the city’s new legacy giving campaign.

“Legacy giving, sometimes referred to as planned giving, legacy planning, or estate giving, is a donation made by an individual through a will or other formal designation​ and provides a way for donors to make a substantial gift because it leverages their net wealth through their estate,” ACT for Alexandria said in a statement. “While these gifts are often realized in the future (typically upon someone’s death), legacy gifts can involve a range of complex structures, from bequests, to endowments, to trusts and annuities​.”

ACT for Alexandria raises millions for nonprofits every year in its Spring2ACTion fundraiser.

“It’s an extremely important part of modern philanthropy and helps create a strong foundation for nonprofits as they look to tomorrow,” ACT CEO Heather Peeler said. “With so much passion for philanthropy here in the city, we have an incredible opportunity to make sure that both donors and nonprofits in Alexandria are connected through legacy giving, focusing on what they’re passionate about, and making sure that their support is set from today to far into the future.”

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Sunday fundraiser on the waterfront to provide healthy meals for Alexandria firefighters

Firefighters aren’t the best eaters, and an upcoming fundraiser aims to give Alexandria’s first responders healthier options.

The Alexandria Fire Foundation is hosting the fundraiser, which includes freebies for kids and adults and raffles for Washington Wizards and Washington Nationals games. It will be held at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street) on Sunday, September 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Most people are not aware that our firefighters have to pay for all their own groceries for the three meals a day they eat at the fire houses,” said Lorie Green, vice president of the AFF.

The main cause of death for on-duty firefighters is heart disease, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

The AFF has partnered with D.C. firefighter Jonathan Tate, the founder of nonprofit Food on the Stove, and proceeds from the event will go toward supplying Alexandria firefighters with free healthy meals.

“Since the fire fighters have to buy their own food, they often buy food that is cheaper and easy to make – think fatty pasta dishes. Food on the Stove is changing that mindset by providing free healthy meals,” Green said.

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