AHA Celebrates 10 Years!

On April 15, AHA officially marked its 10-year anniversary. We have grown as an organization and learned so much along the way. I would be remiss not to mention some of the great leaders who got us on our feet: Our three “official” founders were the late Richard Moose, Ernie Lehmann and the late Dr. Judith Jones. Of course, there are so many more AHA leaders who helped to make AHA a reality, many of whom still are part of our AHA community: L and Ann Liddle, Penny Roberts, Maggie and Barry Stauffer, Bill and Teddye Clayton, Julie Gentry, Pam and Steve Nelson, Chriss Nielsen and Tom Crowley, Nancy Kincaid and Barbara Rosenfeld. Each of them contributed so much energy to getting AHA up and running. Charter members who signed on with AHA before we opened our doors include Megan Evans, Brigitte Guttstadt, Charles and DoDo Ablard, Jean Antone, Nancy Berg, Suzanne Brock and Marianne Weitz. All of them remain AHA members today. We are planning a “delayed” anniversary celebration in September, so stay tuned.

Spring2ACTion Results Are In!

At midnight on April 28, we finished our annual Spring2ACTion fundraising campaign, reaching $36,460 against our goal of $35,000. AHA members, volunteers and community friends stepped up with such generosity and we are so very grateful. Our goal was to reach 175 donors and we had 172 supporters who contributed to make this a great success. Many of our donors are far too young to be AHA members but their support during Spring2ACTion demonstrates that they, too, care that our older neighbors have a safety net and the support they need.
Once again, the Mason Hirst Foundation provided us with a $4,000 matching grant to kick off our campaign. We would not have achieved our goal without their help so I cannot overestimate how important their long-standing support has been. I would like to thank our generous matching gift donors:

Susanne Adams                                                      Pam and Steve Nelson
Bill and Teddye Clayton                                     Christena Nielsen and Tom Crowley
Bob Eiffert and Michael Curry                       The RMP Foundation
Louise and Mike Kenny                                       Barbara Rosenfeld
Nancy Kincaid                                                          Shelli Ross
Carol Siegel                                                               Susanne O’Neill
Loretta Darst, Cele Garrett, Megan McIntyre and Dara Surratt (a.k.a. Office Divas)
Linda Langley, Penny Roberts and Mary Jayne Swanson (a.k.a. Two Whites and a Rose’)

 

We are grateful to every person who took the time and thought to contribute. We send our heartfelt thanks to you.

 

May Newsletter is Here

In this issue, we have exciting news to share about Spring2ACTion results!  Our May calendar is packed with lots of interesting Zoom events to attend.  Art Talk begins a three-part series, with two of the parts happening this month.  Did you know that one of our longtime members Bob Faden is a botanist that has over 20 plants named after him? In addition, the newsletter includes what’s up with Steve Nelson, Louise Kenny and Eileen O’Brien, Laura Noble’s book review of a book for all of us, and Amy Jackson’s visit with AHA.  We are also saddened to share the news of the death of our longtime member Georg Morduch and death of David Peters, husband to Jane King. In the May newsletter, you will find an obituary for both of these men.

Click here to read the full May 2021 Newsletter.

Support AHA During Spring2ACTion, April 28, 2021!

On April 15, AHA celebrated its 10-year anniversary! We’ve learned so much since those early days and I hope you are as proud as I am of this community of support we’ve all built together.

Since that day ten years ago, the village movement has grown exponentially across the country. AHA is one of 266 villages across the country with a community of friends and volunteers to ensure that our older neighbors have the social, practical and emotional support they need to live safely and independently in the home and community they love.

This has been a difficult year for everyone—especially our older neighbors. They were the most vulnerable among us during the pandemic. Yet, our AHA members have shown us how resilient they can be, having endured tough times in the past. We worked harder than ever to stay in regular contacts with our members and to provide the support they needed to know they were never alone throughout this trying year.

We salute our extraordinary members, who continually teach us what it means to age well. We are indebted to our volunteers for all they’ve done this past year. Many of them never ceased driving our members to their critical medical appointment. Our volunteers made countless trips to the grocery store and delivered goods to our members. And we are humbled by and grateful for our donors who believe in the work we do to make Alexandria a great place to “age in place.”

In good times and in tougher times, At Home in Alexandria is committed to making daily life safer, easier and more enjoyable our seniors. Your financial support is vital to that promise. Spring2ACTion is our largest fundraiser of the year—and one of the few times during the year we ask for your financial support. We welcome contributions in any amount to AHA during the Spring2ACTion campaign, which ends on Wednesday, April 28 at midnight. Matching gifts will be available during the campaign to double your impact. Gifts by check are also welcome made to At Home in Alexandria and mailed to 3139 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305.

Cele Garrett
Executive Director
At Home in Alexandria
703.231.0824
aha@athomeinalexandria.org

Happy New Year – January’s Newsletter is Here!

Our January Newsletter is here – please take a look at what we’re planning as we begin 2021 with hope for the year ahead.

Here Come the Holidays!

Lots to keep you busy and engaged as the weather turns colder; check out our December newsletter!

November 2020 Newsletter

Fall is in full swing!

Fall’s Here – and the Election’s Coming!

Election information, Age-Friendly Alexandria, and new staff – it’s all here! Click here:

 

Spring2ACTion and Support AHA

Spring2ACTion is the biggest “giving” event in Alexandria each year and AHA is participating for the 8th year. An online giving event – the donation page is now open (April 3-15) at www.spring2action.org/organizations/at-home-in-alexandria. We invite your support of our mission to serve our older neighbors and assist them as they continue to live and thrive in the home and community they love.

AHA is a one of the 230+ nonprofit “villages” around the country. Our volunteers provide practical, social and emotional support to our older neighbors here in Alexandria. For many of our members, AHA is a great safety net. For others, AHA has become an integral part of their social life. And, for some members, AHA is a lifeline. Whether it’s a ride to the grocery store, “handyman” help at home, technical support for your computer, or a walking companion, AHA is there so that our seniors can continue to live safely and independently in the home and community they love.

The real heart and soul of AHA is the social support we give to one another. We come together regularly—with restaurant outings…walking tours…book groups…our cycling club…current events discussion groups…our monthly speaker series…holiday parties and so much more. Of course, things look a little different right now since we can’t be together in person. We are delivering groceries and necessities to our members, checking in with them regularly, holding conference call “chats” and providing training sessions as we temporarily move our events online. Above all, we aim to help them remain safe and healthy.

Our AHA members are a hardy bunch. They’ve all lived through tough times–but we all know our older citizens are the most vulnerable right now. This difficult time will end at some point–and when it does, we will be there for these wonderful people. Your financial support during this campaign–our largest fundraiser of the year–is vital to that promise.

Stay safe and well–and thank you for supporting At Home in Alexandria.

Donations may also be sent by check to AHA and mailed to 3139 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305.

 

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