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                  Social Action Links

Increasing our "Mensch Index" by helping our community

Whether you want to join in a long-term project, participate in an event or just spend a few hours, the Social Action Committee can hook you up!  Food and clothing drives, Mitzvah Day, Sukkot in April, international outreach; maybe you have a favorite charity that could use a little more support.  Of course, we would love to also welcome a few more participants for the ongoing projects.  Consider spending a little Mitzvah time with the Social Action Committee in 5773!   

A main goal of the Social Action Committee’s focus is on increasing our congregation’s assistance to human services in the community.   Economic downturns are especially devastating to those who live in or on the edge of poverty.  Please join in these efforts in any way you can!

To receive occasional updates about CBE Social Action projects and needs, sign up for the CBE Action Line -- just click on the link and "send". (If you have multiple email addresses, send from the one you want subscribed.)

Special Events: Sukkot In April (28 April 2013) Yom Kippur Food Drive (14 September 2013; please bring food before Shabbat) Mini-walk for the homeless (Fall; stay tuned for 2013 date) Thanksgiving Food Baskets (November 2013) Hypothermia Week (January 20-27, 2013)

We had lots of hands, skilled and unskilled for Sukkot in April 2012!  Sukkot in April April 28, 2013 Each year, Beth Emeth participates in our annual home-repair project, along with more than 25 other Washington-area synagogues and more than 150 church communities. The program improves the homes and lives of elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners by helping them maintain their homes. This is part of National Rebuilding Day sponsored by: Rebuilding Together - Arlington Fairfax Falls Church, is a non-profit affiliate of the national Rebuilding Together, Inc. network which is the nation's leading non-profit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods: www.rebuildingtogether-aff.org Yachad, the Jewish Housing and Community Development Corporation: http://yachad-dc.org/ Both skilled and unskilled volunteers are needed. Tasks vary from year to year but generally involve: Painting; Doors and window repair; Plumbing fixture repair; Grab Bar installation; Drywall repair Yard work; Small electrical repairs; Cleaning; More…… When: April 28, 2013 Where: TBD (A Northern VA home) Why: You’re committed to helping improve the lives of those around you What: 4 ½ hours of your time and/or a small donation to purchase repair/building materials There will be two shifts: Morning 8:00am-12:30 pm; Afternoon is 1:00pm-5:30 pm. Lunch will be served for both shifts at 12:30 pm. Volunteers and Team Leads will be assigned to tasks that focus on their preferences (see list above). We are using a Signup Genius website for volunteering and receiving donations… just go to http://tinyurl.com/sukkotinapril13.

Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Food Drive September 13, 2013 "Share your bread with the hungry..." Please fill a bag and bring it with you to Kol Nidre Services; volunteers will assist you at the rear of the parking lot. (Or bring to the lobby in the few days before.) Your contributions will go to the Reston Interfaith Emergency Food Pantry.  Non-perishable Food: • Pasta Sauce • Cereal, Oatmeal • Peanut Butter and Jelly • Macaroni and Cheese • Bagged rice (white or brown) • Bottled juice • Canned veggies - regular or no salt (all sorts) • Canned fruit • Canned Tuna, Salmon, Chicken, Ham • Tea, Coffee (regular & decaf - instant) • Snacks (crackers, fruit & granola bars, etc.) • Dry Goods (sugar, sweetener, flour, salt) • Condiments (mayo, ketchup, mustard) Hygiene Items: • Toilet Paper • Soap • Deodorant • Shampoo • Toothpaste • Toothbrushes • Laundry Detergent • Feminine Hygiene Baby Items: • Diapers (all sizes) • Baby Wipes • Formula (all types) • Baby Food (all stages)

CBE members marching in the October 2012 Mini-Walk for the Homeless. Join Team Congregation Beth Emeth inTaking Steps to End Homelessness 2013 Date and info coming soon!

Thanksgiving Food Baskets in November This is a wonderful way for CBE families to help other families at the Thanksgiving Holiday time – donate a Thanksgiving Dinner!  This year, Reston Interfaith’s Thanksgiving Basket Drive will again collect over 1,800 baskets for families in need in Reston and Herndon. Along with nonperishable food items, each Thanksgiving Basket will include a gift card to a grocery store so a family can enjoy a fresh turkey for their feast. Take part in making a family’s Thanksgiving plentiful by donating a basket with the following nonperishable items to Reston Interfaith during the designated collection times: (IMPORTANT PACKAGING INSTRUCTIONS: Please place food items in a cardboard box with a lid and DO NOT include the gift card. Gift cards should be kept separate from the box of food.) 3 cans assorted veggies 3 cans fruit 1 large can juice 1 box mashed potatoes 1 box or bag of rice 1 box biscuit or muffin mix 2 boxes macaroni & cheese Coffee, tea 1 snack (pretzels, chips, nuts) 1 dessert (cake/icing, pie crust/filler) Optional: sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, salt & pepper $25 gift card for purchase of a turkey (Reston Interfaith does not have the capacity to store or accept perishable items. Please donate a gift card to a grocery store in lieu of turkeys.) When & Where: Place: St. John Neumann Church 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston 2012 Days and times to be announced.     Hypothermia Week at St. John Neumann Church  January -- stay tuned for 2014 dates! Even in Fairfax County, many people are homeless and especially in need during the colder months. Different faith communities host homeless guests for a week to prevent hypothermia, and those with smaller facilities (like CBE) assist. CBE members will again participate in feeding and sheltering homeless adults at the St. John Neumann Church on Lawyers Road. In addition to donating breakfast food and clothing, we provide and serve dinner to more than 40 guests one night during the week. This was our 6th year! Many volunteers and donations are needed. In addition, donations to the Acts of Lovingkindness Fund money donated to the Acts of Lovingkindness Fund can be earmarked for “Hypothermia Care.” CBE members may sign up to: Make and/or serve dinner at St. John Neumann Church Donate breakfast foods Donate clothing or gift cards Stay tuned for signup information for January 2014. Thank you for participating in this vital service to our community. Questions? Contact Ted Benjamin.

Ongoing Social Action Projects:

• The Closet - Volunteer, Donate, Shop

• Bag Lunches for the Homeless (great for kids!)

• Help turn housing into homes for families in transition  

• Winter Coat Drive for Children and Adults 

• Wearable/usable donations

• Organ Donation

We Belong to Reston Interfaith

Reston Interfaith is a community-based nonprofit human service agency that promotes self-sufficiency and supports people in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, childcare and other human services. Founded in 1970 by area religious organizations to encourage the development of affordable housing in the area, Reston Interfaith has since broadened its offerings to address the most pressing social needs in our community.

CBE is on the Board of The Closet of Herndon!

We all know that The Closet is a cool thrift shop in Herndon, with all profits donated back to the community. Last year the Closet donated over $55K (Jeannie Schmidt Free Clinic, Laurel Learning Center, Fish, etc..) and provided $56K in free clothing to qualifying individuals. Check out the Closet at www.theclosetofgreaterherndon.org. There are three ways to support The Closet, located at 845 Station Street, Herndon (two doors down from Harvest Bread!):

1 - Volunteer, 2 - Donate, 3 – Shop

Volunteer!!  CBE is one of 23 congregations in the Reston/Herndon area who have committed to providing volunteers to staff the Closet. CBE will fill some volunteer hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 am and 2 pm.  Our commitment is to provide at least 8 hours of volunteer time between 10AM- 2PM, but you can volunteer for 1,2,3 or 4 hours. Once you arrive, Manager Aaron Sawyer assigns tasks based on what you like to do: sales, bagging goods, working in the dressing room area, pricing, etc. It's low key but hopping. It's a lot of fun and the CBE group tries to have lunch afterwards.

CBE's upcoming dates are:

• Thursday, May 2nd
• Tuesday, May 21st
• Thursday, June 6th
• Thursday, June 20th
• Thursday, July 4th
• Thursday, July 18th

(Upcoming Schedule of Volunteer Dates can always be found on The Closet's site.)

If these dates don't work and you would like to volunteer, The Closet is open most days and volunteers are always appreciated.  If you know others that might be interested, please invite them to join us!

Ready to volunteer? Call or email Betsy Rock**.

Donate!!  If you are doing spring cleaning, the Closet appreciates your donations of a wide variety of new and gently used items, including:

• ALL men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, outer garments           

• Household items, dishes, linens, decor

• Electronics, sporting goods, suitcases

• Toys, books, videos, musical instruments, etc.

• Small furniture, small appliances (no large furniture)

Donation days are Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Ready to donate? Just drive around the back of the building and someone will help you bring in your donations. If you have any questions about donations, please call 703-437-7652. 

Shop!!  The Closet is like a small department store… they have so much! Store manager Aaron Sawyer maintains a high level of quality control that leads to amazing bargains. There are clothes for all members of the family; many are new with tags.  

Check out the glassware, dishes and small appliances. The toys and sporting goods are well organized. All electric items are checked out by volunteers and are in working condition. Lamp shades, vases, purses, shoes… so many nice things!  

Shop on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. You will feel great doing it and will be contributing to the community at the same time.

Ready to shop?  We are ALWAYS ready to shop!!      

Kids can help make Bag Lunches for the Homeless!

The staff at the Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter in Reston Town Center distribute 60-75 bag lunches to non-residents every day, seven days a week. Lately, there have been even more people coming in and supplies of lunches are running short.

Please get a group of friends together to provide some of these lunches! This is a great opportunity to involve kids.

Here is the link to the Bag Lunch Donation Guidelines.

This is a way to directly benefit those who need help the most.

Questions? Contact the office.

Help turn housing into homes for families in transition  

Wearable/Useable Donations             

The Closet and The Bargain Loft, both in Herndon, are thrift shops helping low-income people and families in Reston/Herndon.

The Closet accepts all kinds of clothing, shoes and accessories, cosmetics, kitchen items, small appliances and lamps.  It is located at 845 Station St., Herndon, VA 20170. Hours for donation drop-off are: Thursday and Saturday, 8 AM –2 PM (They are closed all of July).  Phone: 703-437-7652. More information. (See above for great opportunities to volunteer at The Closet!)

The Bargain Loft accepts furniture, lamps, dishes, glassware, house wares, books, computers & electronics, collectibles and toys.  Bring your stuff on Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM – 3 PM and Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM.  They have volunteers who can pick up your large furniture, call for an appointment.  If the store gets too full they will sometimes not take furniture, toys and books, so call ahead before you bring those items.  The Bargain Loft is located at 336 Victory Drive, off Spring Street, in the same office park as Lake Anne Florist.  Phone: 703- 437-0600. More information.

Organ Donation

Each year, Congregation Beth Emeth marks Organ Donor Shabbat with a sermon related to organ donations, reminding us how important it is to register as an organ donor. Our Organ Donor page provides information about the Mitzvah of organ donation and how to register.