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                  Social Action Links

Can't Get Enough of That Mitzvah Stuff

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 5772!   

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 the message. (If you have multiple email addresses, send from the one you want subscribed.)

Special Events: Hypothermia Week (January 15-21, 2012) VOICE Dental Campaign Action (January 29, 2012) Sukkot In April (April 29, 2012) Mini-walk for the homeless (October) Yom Kippur Food Drive (October) Thanksgiving Food Baskets (November)

Hypothermia Week at St. John Neumann Church January 15-21, 2012 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. During the week of January 16-21, 2012, we will again participate in feeding and sheltering homeless adults at the St. John Neumann Church on Lawyers Rd in Reston.  Many volunteers and food/item donations are needed to support this effort to shelter up to 35 guests. Advisory Alert: volunteer participation in this effort is eye opening! This year, CBE has committed to help mainly in two areas: donating all the breakfast foods needed for the week, and providing cooked food and volunteers for dinner on Wednesday, January 18. Our roasted chicken dinner is always a guest favorite! Update January 12: Only a few more items are needed for Hypothermia Week. Thank you, thank you to everyone who has already donated items, or signed up to donate perishables or work during the January 16-21 week. We delivered 3 carfuls of non-perishables and clothing to the church on Sunday! There are only a few CBE commitments not already signed for at http://tinyurl.com/cbehypothermia , all of which need to be cooked (or purchased cooked) and brought to St John Neumann’s between 4:00 & 5:00 PM on Wednesday, January 18 (please check the signup site for specifics on what & how many are needed.) For the CBE-provided dinner that night: Roasted chickens, Roasted potatoes Steamed mixed vegetables To refresh our supply for breakfasts later in the week: hard-boiled eggs St. John Neumann Sign-Up (help with other volunteer needs): http://www.signupgenius.com/go/sjnhypothermia1 Additional volunteers are still needed to help with transportation (mostly ferrying van drivers to and from where vans are parked) and as backups for both on-site volunteering and transportation. Being on call in case a volunteer becomes unavailable is a mitzvah in itself, so please consider signing up. Donations to the Acts of Lovingkindness Fund can be earmarked for “Hypothermia Care.” (http://www.bethemeth.org/forms/donationform.htm) Thank you in advance for participating in this vital service to our community.

VOICE Dental Campaign Action Please join us, Sunday, January 29, 2:45-3:45 PM “Just show up” to support affordable dental care in western Fairfax County.   Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE) is seeking corporate support to staff a dental clinic in Sterling that has already been established with donated funds. Several elected officials are being asked to help raise additional corporate support, including Senator Janet Howell, Representative Ken Plum, Chairperson Sharon Bulova and others. These officials will be attending a meeting at St. John Neumann’s on Lawyers Road on Sunday, January 29 and you are encouraged to attend to demonstrate to our elected officials our support for this important project. One hour of your time could help countless neighbors in need of dental care. More info: VOICE Dental Action Meeting Jan 29 VOICE Dental Campaign information Questions? Contact Susan Berger.   Sukkot in April April 29, 2012 We had lots of hands, skilled and unskilled for Sukkot in April 2011!  Team Captain: Ted Benjamin   Can you paint? Hang drywall? Hammer a nail? Sweep a floor? Each year at the end of April, hundreds of Jewish volunteers renovate the homes of low-income, disabled and/or elderly Washington area homeowners as part of Sukkot in April.  For more information and/or to volunteer for 2012 please contact Ted Benjamin**.   And if painting, hammers, shovels and screwdrivers are not your thing, then make a contribution to the Acts of Loving Kindness Fund to help support CBE efforts.  Funds donated to Yachad are pooled from all of the participating organizations to purchase the materials for house repair at a large group discount.   Yachad, the Jewish Housing and Community Development Corporation of Greater Washington, is a local non-profit organization that mobilizes the resources of the Jewish community to renovate affordable housing and revitalize urban neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.

Mini-walk for the homeless CBE Youth Group members marching in a past Mini-Walk for the Homeless. USY members organized CBE youth participation, providing the banner and unlimited enthusiasm. October 23, 2011 (Stay tuned for 2012 info) On Sunday, October 23, 2011 join us for our 8th Annual Help the Homeless Community Walk at the Festival on the Square event at Reston Heights - Sheraton & Westin Hotels.  Sign-in starts at 12pm and the Walk will begin at 1:30pm. After the Walk enjoy live music, entertainment, and children's activities. The registration fee is $20 for youth (25 & under) and $30 for adults. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER -- our Walk is named Reston Interfaith Community Walk. Register by October 17th to receive your t-shirt at the Walk.

Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Food Drive Stay tuned for 2012 info "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) • Cooking Oil & Olive Oil 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)

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.

Ongoing Social Action Projects:

• The Closet - Volunteer, Donate, Shop

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

• From Our House to Yours

• Winter Coat Drive for Children and Adults 

• Wearable/usable donations

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 now on the Board of The Closet of Herndon!

We all know that The Closet is a cool thrift shop in Herndon, and that the profits support community organizations serving the needy in our community. There are three ways to support The Closet, located at 845 Station Street (two doors down from Harvest Bread!):

1 - Volunteer, 2 - Donate, 3 – Shop

Volunteer!!  CBE will fill some volunteer hours (2-4 hours per volunteer) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 10 am and 2 pm to do any of the following:

• Staff the dressing room. Count the number of items customers take in and bring out.

• Bag purchases at one of the checkouts.

• Help at the jewelry counter by bringing out items and returning them to the case.

• Walk around the sales floor, collect empty coat hangers, return out of place merchandise to a more appropriate spot, re-hang items that have gotten knocked off the hanger, etc.

• Take items that have just been priced out onto the sales floor and display in an appropriate spot. Good way for new volunteers to get to know the store.

• Price merchandise. This takes a little training but there are plenty of experts to show you the ropes.

• Backroom work putting already priced clothing onto hangers and then on the pole/rack in that room, then taking the hung clothes off the pole and out onto the appropriate area of the sales floor. Another good way to get familiar with the store.

• Label clothing with prices. This is a sit-down job, taking a stack of clothes that are all the same price.

• Help customers bring in donations.

• Other jobs as space and staffing allows, such as checking games for parts, dressing Barbies, pricing dishes, etc.

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

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

Donate!!  The Closet accepts 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

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 Janet Bolton.

From Our House To Yours 

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.