Three-Day Celebration of Giving and Service involves Government, Businesses and Residents
ACT for Alexandria, the City of Alexandria and Volunteer Alexandria will jointly host Spring for Alexandria, a three-day celebration of giving and service throughout the City on April 29 through May 1, 2010. Now in its third year, Spring for Alexandria offers multiple opportunities for residents to become involved, including the Generations of Giving Gala on April 29; the Business Philanthropy Summit, Community Service Day and Celebration on Market Square on April 30; and Alexandria Gives and Lemonaide Day on May 1.
Spring for Alexandria kicks off with the Generations of Giving Gala on Thursday, April 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street. The Gala honors personal and family philanthropy in Alexandria. The event culminates in the presentation of the Legacy of Giving award to the Guiffre family. All proceeds from the event benefit ACT for Alexandria and its grantees.
On Friday, April 30, the Business Philanthropy Summit is held to recognize philanthropic leaders in Alexandria. The breakfast event will be hosted at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King St., from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. At the Summit, the 2009 Business Philanthropist and Nonprofit Leader Awards will be presented. The Stafford Foundation Founder and renowned philanthropist Earl Stafford, former CEO and Chairman of UNITECH, will deliver this year’s keynote address.
Following the Summit, the community is invited to sign up for the Spring for Alexandria Community Service Day to volunteer at project sites throughout the City. Volunteer help is needed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to complete a variety of tasks, including landscaping, gardening, litter pickup, and painting. Businesses can also choose to offer pro bono services to local nonprofit groups and to field teams. Volunteers can sign up individually, or recruit a team. Team leaders are also needed at project sites and must attend a mandatory training session. Registration and further information is now available at www.springforalexandria.org.
Spring for Alexandria is not only a day of service, but also is a fundraising event for Volunteer Alexandria. Registered participants are encouraged to raise pledges to support the event. The top pledge-raisers are eligible to win great prizes. At the conclusion of the Community Service Day, a community-wide celebration will be held to thank volunteers at Market Square (301 King St.) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
New this year is Alexandria Gives on Saturday, May 1, which is being coordinated by the Alexandria Jaycees. This community contributions day invites Alexandria residents to clear out their cupboards and their closets and donate to neighbors in need. Alexandria nonprofits will be onsite at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King Street, from 9 am to noon collecting food, clothing and supplies.
The three-day celebration concludes with Lemonaide Day on Saturday, May 1. Alexandria youth will be selling lemonade at stands stationed throughout the City to raise money for Alexandria-based children’s charities.
Spring for Alexandria is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, along with GEICO, SunTrust Bank, ABC7/WJLA-TV and many others. For more information, please call 202.468.5346 or visit www.springforalexandria.org.