Guide to Giving 2020

Food donations for health care workers from local restaurants. Courtesy photo

Virginia Hospital Center

A not-for-profit, independent teaching hospital, Virginia Hospital Center is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and has 14 Centers of Excellence, including the Reinsch Pierce Family Center for Breast Health; Cardiology/Cardiovascular Surgery; Orthopedics/Total Joint Replacement; the Hitt Family Center for Radiation Oncology; Urology; and Obstetrics. In addition, the hospital operates Virginia Hospital Center Pediatrics, which provides comprehensive, affordable health care to infants, children and youth under age 19 whose family income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, and who are not covered by private insurance. Care is provided regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

Headquartered: Arlington
Serves: D.C. metro area
What a donation provides:
❱❱ $20 covers one point-of-care test (flu, RSV or strep) for one child in need.
❱❱ $120 covers one acute care visit for a sick child.
❱❱ $150 covers a preventive visit for a well child, or covers one hour of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation for a patient recovering from a heart attack.
❱❱ $250 provides support-group services for a patient undergoing cancer treatment.
❱❱ $350 pays for one month of medication for an uninsured person with a chronic medical condition.
❱❱ $1,500 purchases a “crash cart” used to resuscitate patients in respiratory failure.
❱❱ $5,000 supports a nurse’s participation in advanced clinical training, bringing the latest medical advances directly to the patient at the bedside.
Volunteer opportunities: Available to those 16 and older, the hospital’s Volunteer Services Group under normal circumstances provides various kinds of support to patient representative services, inpatient hospital units, outpatient services and specialized services. In addition, the Virginia Hospital Center Auxiliary members help with wheelchair transportation, gift shops, bookmobile and reception desks.

A food drive at the Y. Courtesy photo

YMCA Arlington

YMCA Arlington serves more than 4,000 Arlington youths annually with child care, summer camps, sports, aquatics, tennis and other family programs. The Y also offers wellness programs for all ages, and scholarships and financial assistance to those in need. Over the last decade, the Y has provided more than $950,000 in financial assistance to children, families and seniors. Its current outreach includes blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross and produce/meal distribution in partnership with Keany Produce and Child Care Resources.

Headquartered: Arlington
Serves: Arlington, Falls Church, parts of Alexandria and Washington, D.C.
What a donation provides:
❱❱ $1,750 covers five weeks of camp for one child.
❱❱ $2,500 provides nine months of before- and after-school care for a working parent.
❱❱ $5,000 provides one year of healthy living classes and activities for seven senior couples.
❱❱ $13,500 allows 25 teens to participate in the Model General Assembly for one year. That program is designed to introduce high school students to the legislative process of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Legislation is debated in committees and on the floors of the actual Virginia Senate and House of Delegates.
❱❱ $25,000 provides free after-school enrichment programs at elementary schools in challenged neighborhoods throughout Arlington.
Volunteer opportunities: In 2019, 158 volunteers contributed more than 2,550 hours of support to the Arlington branch and its surrounding community. Under normal circumstances, volunteers assist with birthday party setup, activities and cleanup; after-school programs (in areas such as art, theater, sports, homework or cooking); and community wellness programming. Individuals with 1-2 years of tennis teaching experience are needed to help tennis pros run the after-school junior tennis program. Check for updates on volunteer needs as social distancing mandates are lifted.

Volunteer Arlington

Looking to donate your time and talents but don’t know where to start? Not sure what’s needed as the community navigates the fallout from Covid-19? Volunteer Arlington can guide you toward making a difference. A program of the Leadership Center for Excellence in partnership with the Arlington County government, Volunteer Arlington connects individuals, groups and businesses with nonprofits in need of support. The website offers a matching tool that can help you identify the volunteer opportunities that best match your skills, location and availability. Visit volunteer.leadercenter.org for details.

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Guide to Giving