Del Ray's First Thursday To Benefit Casa Chirilagua In August

UPDATE: Donation locations for Casa Chirilagua have changed due to the weather forecast.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Del Ray's First Thursday may have gone virtual during the pandemic, but support for local nonprofits hasn't changed. The Aug. 6 First Thursday will support Casa Chirilagua.

The theme of the First Thursday Porch Party on Aug. 6 is Aloha Thursday. Residents are encouraged to get out their favorite Hawaiian shirt or other attire and join the socially-distant festivities. Participants can deck out their house, porch, door, or sidewalks with an Aloha theme, and post the video or photo on social media with the hashtag #VisitDelRay. Last but not least, residents can order takeout from their favorite Del Ray restaurant, have dinner on the front porch, front steps, or front yard, and talk to a neighbor from afar.

First Thursday will support Casa Chirilagua by collecting donations from Aug. 6 through Aug. 8. Casa Chirilagua is a nonprofit based in the largely Central American Latino community of Arlandria. The nonprofit supports families through after-school programming, parent engagement and other relation-based programs. During the pandemic, it has raised funds to help families pay rent or other bills.

Donations being collected include household supplies such as laundry detergent, body soap, dish soap, cleaning supplies like Windex, all-purpose spray cleaners and bleach, masks, toilet paper, and paper towels. Donations can be dropped off through Saturday at 403 East Custis Avenue and 110 East Del Ray Avenue, or Pat's truck at the Del Ray Farmers Market on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 403 East Custis Avenue will also have complimentary kindness yard signs, and 110 East Del Ray Avenue will have free Alexandria Sheriff's Office Virtual Junior Deputy Summer Camp packets.

First Thursday events are held monthly from April to September.