The Del Ray Farmers’ Market was declared the winner of the Heart of Del Ray Award on Friday morning.

The award, which is an annual popularity contest, was voted on by more than 1,000 people, and founder Pat Miller was presented with a large red heart symbolizing the nonprofit’s place in the community. The award is always presented just before Valentine’s Day, which this year is on Tuesday, Feb. 14. The oversized heart will be hung outside in the square.

“It (the market) truly is a meeting place it is on Saturday mornings, rain or shine, warm or cold,” said Del Ray Business Association Board Member Gayle Reuter.

Now in its 27th year, the market is open every Saturday from 8 a;m. to noon at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at the parking lot behind Virginia Commerce Bank, Cheesetique and Let’s Meat on the Avenue.

“Thank you so much,” Miller said after receiving the award. “Del Ray is the best.”

The other nominees this year were Del Ray Artisans (2704 Mount Vernon Avenue), Del Ray Psych and Wellness (1900 Mount Vernon Avenue), The Dog Store/Your Dogs Best Friends (2301 Mount Vernon Avenue), Rosemont Landscaping and Lawncare (3308 Mount Vernon Avenue) and St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub (2300 Mount Vernon Avenue).

Previous Heart of Del Ray award winners:

• 2022 — Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap
• 2021 — Dolce & Bean
• 2020 — Preeti Patel’s 7-Eleven on Mount Vernon Avenue
• 2019 — Taqueria el Poblano
• 2018 — Pork Barrel BBQ
• 2017 — Del Ray Cafe
• 2016 — Caboose Cafe
• 2015 — Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga
• 2014 — Del Ray Pizzeria
• 2013 — The Greener Cleaner of Del Ray
• 2012 — The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray
• 2011 — Bobi Bomar, Homes of Alexandria/Compass
• 2010 — Jen Walker, McEnearney Associates
• 2009 — A Show of Hands

The Alexandria Police Department and local non-profits are getting a federal funding boost as part of the new omnibus funding bill.

Rep. Don Beyer (D) who represents the 8th District highlighted a few of the benefits to Alexandria in the FY 2023 omnibus bill approved on Friday.

According to Beyer:

Alexandria:

• $1,500,000 for the Alexandria City AHDC Arlandria Housing+ Project, a multi-phase, mixed-use project that will combine 475 units of affordable housing with commercial, retail, and community space
• $1,000,000 for Full Deployment of Body-Worn Cameras in Alexandria Police Department
• $1,500,000 on behalf of ALIVE!, Inc. for the Alexandria Community Food Resource Center
• $750,000 for the Notabene Drive, Four Mile Rd., and Old Dominion Blvd. Flood Mitigation Project, Arlandria

The $1.5 million to the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) is going to support a new housing project in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood.

The additional body-worn camera funding follows an earlier federal boost in grant funding for Alexandria’s body-worn camera program.

This bill has funding I secured for Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax County projects to make our community healthier, boost clean energy, strengthen our infrastructure, support affordable housing, feed the hungry, improve law enforcement transparency, and more. 2/ pic.twitter.com/GAjKnLvFju

— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) December 23, 2022

Photo via Tony Webster/Flickr

Friends of Guest House needs pajamas and cozy socks for their female residents who are transitioning back to the community from prison.

Realtor Maureen Clyne is leading the annual effort, and it’s her third time collecting the pajamas and socks. Last year, she ran past her goal of 100 pairs by raising 130 pairs. This year’s goal is also 100 pairs.

“These women are coming out of prison and they don’t have anything,” Clyne told ALXnow. “They probably aren’t going to go out and buy themselves a new pair of pajamas for Christmas morning. It’s just one of those sort of self pampering things that probably they didn’t get a lot of for years.”

Donations of cozy socks and L-3XL pajamas can be dropped off at Coldwell Banker Realty, 310 King Street. Pickups can also be arranged by calling or texting 703-967-8884.

“What an incredible gift that will impact many, many women and make them not only feel warm, but very welcome,” former Friends of Guest House Executive Director Kari Galloway said.

Friends of Guest House serves 60 women every year in its residential program, and has helped more than 4,000 women transition from incarceration since it was founded in 1974.

Via Sapan Patel/Unsplash

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.

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.”

Carpenter’s Shelter has been awarded a $2.5 million grant by the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, and plans to use the money to rapidly re-house homeless Alexandrians.

The $2.5 million is the largest private gift in the history of the Fund, which was created by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2018. The fund has given more than $520 million to similar organizations and nonprofits doing “compassionate, needle-moving work” to provide shelter and hunger support for young families around the country.

“The timing of this is amazing,” said Shannon Steene, executive director at Carpenter’s Shelter. “Our vision of eradicating homelessness in our community is big, and this gift is equally large. The waiting list for family shelter is greater than at any time I’ve seen over the last seven years. This grant will be a powerful force for good in our community.”

Carpenter’s Shelter (930 N. Henry Street) is one of the largest homeless shelters in Northern Virginia, and will use the funds for its rapid re-housing program.

“Through our Rapid Re-Housing Program, our case management team focuses on finding permanent housing solutions for eligible individuals within 30-60 days of admission into the shelter,” Carpenter’s Shelter said. “These individuals receive support via housing location and selection, monetary assistance for deposits and rent payments, and continued individual case management support within the community.”

The nonprofit serves more than 270 men, women and children every year, and the average stay at the shelter is two months for individuals and three months for families.

Excited & gr8ful 4 @CarpentrShelter 2B moving the needle on family homelessness with support from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. #TY #LetsDoThis https://t.co/d94PB0Gcaf

— Shannon Steene (@Sha_Stee) November 22, 2022

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

Sports enthusiasts can become volunteer sport coaches, and history lovers can become volunteer tour guides.

There are also a number of tutoring and mentoring positions available, in addition to available food distributor and donation sorting positions.

“We need hundreds of people per week,” Volunteer Alexandria Executive Director Marion Brunken told ALXnow. “More people are in need now than ever.”

Here’s a list of Volunteer Alexandria’s new and upcoming opportunities.

• Teach Kids to Read — “Wright to Read is a literacy tutoring-mentoring program that works to match volunteer tutor-mentors with Alexandria City Public School students who need extra support in their literacy skills. Our goal is not only to help give this child support along their reading journey (including access to books, resources, and a larger reading community), but also a mentor through elementary school and beyond.”
• Distribute Food With ALIVE! — “Volunteers are needed to assist with multiple programs relating to their Food Program, ALIVE! House, and Alexandria Eviction Prevention Partnership Program will distribute food at Mobile Pop-ups and Truck to Trunk events, etc.”
• More opportunities at ALIVE! — The nonprofit also needs drivers, a furniture moving attendant, and warehouse volunteers.
• Theater group needs support — Momentum Collective is looking for a new board member, a costume designer and a set builder.
• Youth Sport Coaches — Preside over team activities including all scheduled practices and games. Adhere to RPCA policies, rules and objectives Responsible for maintaining care of all RPCA Sports equipment. Lead by example among team parents to support the responsibilities of the referee and league leadership. Coach an assigned group of children and focus on skill development, safety, fair, play, sportsmanship and fun.”
• 4-H Youth Development Club Volunteers — “We are currently looking for volunteers that would like to build clubs on any topic of interest, such as, dogs, sewing, robotics, or sports.”
• Food Rescuer — “Food rescuers pick up surplus food from food donors in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia (businesses, restaurants and grocers) and deliver it directly to receiving agencies (community kitchens, food pantries, etc.) that feed our hungry neighbors. In your own vehicle and on your own time, it usually takes only 30 to 60 minutes to complete this incredibly rewarding and essential mission. Get started on the website and app to see the complete schedule of local food rescue opportunities.”
• Arise outreach volunteer — “ARISE is a new guaranteed income pilot program that plans to give $500 a month to 170 City of Alexandria residents for two years. A research team will evaluate the ARISE program outcomes which will inform future efforts and policy decisions.”
• Sexual Assault Center Hotline Advocate — “Volunteers staff the 24-hour hotline on evenings and weekends. Volunteers provide accompaniment, emotional support, crisis intervention, advocacy, and referrals to empower survivors of sexual violence in person at the hospital/police department or over the phone. Volunteers must attend a 40-hour training.”
• Shelter Supervisors with Alexandria Domestic Violence Program — “As a program that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, volunteers play a key role in providing services to those affected by domestic violence. Volunteers with our program interact personally with individuals in need-an opportunity that many find extremely fulfilling.”
• Alexandria Library opportunities — The Alexandria Library needs a volunteer to run a games program for seniors, a volunteer with the Trash Trekkers program, a Knit Night volunteer, a computer class volunteer, and gardening support.
• Tour Guide at Carlyle House Historic Park — “Looking for a fun and relaxing volunteer opportunity? Carlyle House Historic Park, a colonial house museum in Old Town Alexandria, seeks volunteer docents to give public tours of this historic building. Carlyle House, built in 1753, interprets the home and family of John Carlyle, a merchant and town founder.”
• Sixth Annual Spooky Science Expo — “The Watergate at Landmark Youth Committee will be holding its sixth annual science event (Spooky Mad Science Expo) for kids and teens (October 15). The event will celebrate science and Halloween… As in every year, we are looking for volunteers to help us plan and run the event.”
• Casa Chirilagua Volunteers — Casa Chirilagua is looking for one-on-one mentoring, their kids club, a volunteer to oversee the teen study hall, help with the high school program, a volunteer for teen bible study, and assistance with their middle school program.
• Dog adoption event needs volunteers — “Lucky Dog Animal Rescue has an adoption event the FIRST Sunday of every month at the Potomac Yard PetSmart – 3351 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22305. Come spend the afternoon with a Lucky Dog!”
• Torpedo Factory Gallery Guide — “Gallery Guides must feel comfortable interacting with the public about the work at the exhibition with potentially sensitive content and handling artwork sale inquiries. Gallery Guides must be at least 18 years of age or older.”
• Food and grocery volunteer — “For over 15+ years, as part of its Outreach Ministry, the Meade Memorial Episcopal Church has been committed to the Emergency Food Assistance Ministry, to help transform our community, our neighbors, and ourselves. The church provides lunches to residents from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. We need help to setup tables and distribute lunches every weekday, except on certain holidays. We are asking all volunteers to arrive at 11: 15 a.m.”

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.”

Get your sneakers and sweats ready, because Alexandria nonprofit ALIVE! is hosting its 41st annual StepALIVE! Walkathon in Old Town on Sunday, October 16.

There are already 33 walking teams assembled, including Team Shiba, for this year’s five-mile charity walk.

The fundraising goal is $80,000, and $32,000 has already been raised.

Proceeds will support ALIVE!’s family assistance program, which helps Alexandria families pay for rent and other bills.

The event starts and finishes at First Christian Church (2723 King Street), and begins at 1:15 p.m. with on-site registration and a T-shirt pickup. The walk itself starts at 2 p.m., and is followed by a celebration from 3:30 to 4:40 p.m.

It costs $25 for individual walkers to participate ($30 at the event), $10 for seniors and children ages six to 13, and free for kids under six.

Thank you to the sponsors of the 41st Annual StepALIVE! Walkathon! Your donations help to ensure that ALIVE! has the resources to support our Alexandria neighbors in need with food, shelter, emergency financial assistance, and eviction prevention. More at: https://t.co/M3XNnHCBaI pic.twitter.com/yp8luJ6CcN

— ALIVE! (@ALIVE4AlexVA) September 30, 2022

Via Alive!/Facebook

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.

There are also a number of tutoring and mentoring positions available, in addition to available food distributor and donation sorting positions.

“We need hundreds of people per week,” Volunteer Alexandria Executive Director Marion Brunken told ALXnow. “More people are in need now than ever.”

Here’s a list of Volunteer Alexandria’s new and upcoming opportunities.

• Teach Kids to Read — “Wright to Read is a literacy tutoring-mentoring program that works to match volunteer tutor-mentors with Alexandria City Public School students who need extra support in their literacy skills. Our goal is not only to help give this child support along their reading journey (including access to books, resources, and a larger reading community), but also a mentor through elementary school and beyond.”
• Distribute Food With ALIVE! — “Volunteers are needed to assist with multiple programs relating to their Food Program, ALIVE! House, and Alexandria Eviction Prevention Partnership Program will distribute food at Mobile Pop-ups and Truck to Trunk events, etc.”
• More opportunities at ALIVE! — The nonprofit also needs drivers, a furniture moving attendant, and warehouse volunteers.
• Theater group needs support — Momentum Collective is looking for a new board member, a costume designer and a set builder.
• Youth Sport Coaches — Preside over team activities including all scheduled practices and games. Adhere to RPCA policies, rules and objectives Responsible for maintaining care of all RPCA Sports equipment. Lead by example among team parents to support the responsibilities of the referee and league leadership. Coach an assigned group of children and focus on skill development, safety, fair, play, sportsmanship and fun.”
• 4-H Youth Development Club Volunteers — “We are currently looking for volunteers that would like to build clubs on any topic of interest, such as, dogs, sewing, robotics, or sports.”
• Food Rescuer — “Food rescuers pick up surplus food from food donors in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia (businesses, restaurants and grocers) and deliver it directly to receiving agencies (community kitchens, food pantries, etc.) that feed our hungry neighbors. In your own vehicle and on your own time, it usually takes only 30 to 60 minutes to complete this incredibly rewarding and essential mission. Get started on the website and app to see the complete schedule of local food rescue opportunities.”
• Arise outreach volunteer — “ARISE is a new guaranteed income pilot program that plans to give $500 a month to 170 City of Alexandria residents for two years. A research team will evaluate the ARISE program outcomes which will inform future efforts and policy decisions.”
• Sexual Assault Center Hotline Advocate — “Volunteers staff the 24-hour hotline on evenings and weekends. Volunteers provide accompaniment, emotional support, crisis intervention, advocacy, and referrals to empower survivors of sexual violence in person at the hospital/police department or over the phone. Volunteers must attend a 40-hour training.”
• Shelter Supervisors with Alexandria Domestic Violence Program — “As a program that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, volunteers play a key role in providing services to those affected by domestic violence. Volunteers with our program interact personally with individuals in need–an opportunity that many find extremely fulfilling.”
• Alexandria Library opportunities — The Alexandria Library needs a volunteer to run a games program for seniors, a volunteer with the Trash Trekkers program, a Knit Night volunteer, a computer class volunteer, and gardening support.
• Tour Guide at Carlyle House Historic Park — “Looking for a fun and relaxing volunteer opportunity? Carlyle House Historic Park, a colonial house museum in Old Town Alexandria, seeks volunteer docents to give public tours of this historic building. Carlyle House, built in 1753, interprets the home and family of John Carlyle, a merchant and town founder.”
• Sixth Annual Spooky Science Expo — “The Watergate at Landmark Youth Committee will be holding its sixth annual science event (Spooky Mad Science Expo) for kids and teens (October 15). The event will celebrate science and Halloween… As in every year, we are looking for volunteers to help us plan and run the event.”
• Casa Chirilagua Volunteers — Casa Chirilagua is looking for one-on-one mentoring, their kids club, a volunteer to oversee the teen study hall, help with the high school program, a volunteer for teen bible study, and assistance with their middle school program.
• Dog adoption event needs volunteers — “Lucky Dog Animal Rescue has an adoption event the FIRST Sunday of every month at the Potomac Yard PetSmart – 3351 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22305. Come spend the afternoon with a Lucky Dog!”
• Torpedo Factory Gallery Guide — “Gallery Guides must feel comfortable interacting with the public about the work at the exhibition with potentially sensitive content and handling artwork sale inquiries. Gallery Guides must be at least 18 years of age or older.”
• Food and grocery volunteer — “For over 15+ years, as part of its Outreach Ministry, the Meade Memorial Episcopal Church has been committed to the Emergency Food Assistance Ministry, to help transform our community, our neighbors, and ourselves. The church provides lunches to residents from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. We need help to setup tables and distribute lunches every weekday, except on certain holidays. We are asking all volunteers to arrive at 11: 15 a.m.”

Alexandria non-profit ALIVE! is hosting grocery distributions for Alexandrians in need this weekend.

Over the last few years, ALIVE! has stepped up its food distribution program for locals, with drive-through and walk-up distributions.

This Saturday, Aug. 27, the distribution will run from 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Drive-through distributions are planned for:

• Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Avenue)
• NYCC Alexandria Campus (parking lot B-1, via 500 Dawes Avenue)

Walk-up distributions are scheduled for:

• Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Avenue)
• William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Avenue)

ALIVE!'s free grocery distribution events for Alexandrians in need will be held on Saturday, August 27th from 8:30am-10:30am.

Please help us spread the word, and direct anyone in need of food support to our website to see more details: https://t.co/fdbIy5yy48 pic.twitter.com/QUKqNXOQRP

— ALIVE! (@ALIVE4AlexVA) August 22, 2022

ALIVE! accepts food donations at the ALIVE! Food Warehouse (801 S Payne Street) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. (closing at 7 p.m. on Thursdays).

The non-profit is accepting the following food types in personal, non-bulk portions: