ASSISTANCE LEAGUE, DOMINION AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS JOIN TOGETHER TO FEED HUNGRY CHILDREN ON WEEKENDS

Assistance League of Northern Virginia held its 2015-16 Weekend Food for Kids Kickoff event on September 24 at Dominion Virginia Power’s Lincoln Park office in Herndon. The event featured a presentation of Assistance League’s National Operation School Bell Award to Dominion Resources. The national award is given to honor those who, through significant financial or service support, have a powerful effect on Operation School Bell programs in a chapter’s local community. Nearly 90 Dominion, community and member volunteers participated.

Pat Thompson, president of Assistance League of Northern Virginia, recognized Dominion Resources’ direct impact on the program implemented to alleviate child hunger, providing weekend food to children at 5 Title I schools. Dominion’s financial support of $75,000 over four years enabled the chapter to expand the number of schools receiving food and increase the number of eligible students served to 1500 monthly. In 2014-15, with the support of Dominion, the program impacted 11,750 children at risk of hunger in Northern Virginia.

Carolyn Moss, Managing Director, Mid-Atlantic, State & Local Affairs, graciously accepted the award on behalf of Dominion Resources. Pat Thompson presented the award and accompanying letter from Assistance League’s National President, Nancy Reberger, and praised Dominion’s enthusiastic employees for contributing over 420 service hours in the last school year.

Guest speakers Armando Peri, Principal, Pine Spring Elementary School in Falls Church, Marleny Pastora, Parent Liaison, Yorkshire Elementary School in Manassas and Virginia Delegate Ken Plum reflected on the powerful effect the program has on children living in food insecure households and conveyed their sincere gratitude to Assistance League and Dominion’s dedicated volunteers. To learn more, contact Jeanne.Sclater@verizon.net or visit www.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org. 501(c)(3)

Photos by Mary Spence and Chuck Penn

Photo Captions

Photo 1: Pat Thompson (right), president of Assistance League of Northern Virginia recognizing 2015 National Operation School Bell Award recipient Carolyn Moss, who accepted the award on behalf of Dominion Resources.

Photo 2: Dominion Resources team of dedicated volunteers and guests from left, Tim Sargent, Dominion, Virginia Delegate Ken Plum, Carolyn Moss, Managing Director, Mid-Atlantic, State and Local Affairs, Dominion, Pat Thompson, Assistance League, Jeanne Underwood, Dominion, Marleny Pastora, Parent Liaison, Yorkshire ES and Armando Peri, Principal, Pine Spring ES.

Photo 3: Assistance League, Dominion and community members join together to feed hungry children on weekends. The program distributes 1500 bags of food monthly.

Photo 4: Dominion volunteers loading bags onto trucks and preparing to transport and deliver food to 5 Title I schools in Northern Virginia, accompanied by Assistance League member volunteers.