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November 2016 News   

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Next Meeting
The next ACCA board meeting will be Dec. 6 at Warner Baptist Church
3613 Lacy Blvd., Falls Church, Virginia 22041


Refreshments and fellowship 
7:30 p.m.
Meeting
7:45 p.m. 
Open to all visitors.   
  


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 Our Benefactors Include:  
Contact Information 
Mailing Address
7200 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003

 
Information
 
703-256-0100

 
Emergency
Assistance

(Fairfax County)
703-222-0880

 
Donations
(except furniture)
703-256-0100

 
Furniture Donations 
703-256-9513


Email
accacares@verizon.net

ACCA Website www.accacares.org

About ACCA
Get our 2016 annual report.
ACCA is a church-related voluntary organization providing day care,  financial assistance, food, furniture, and other support to needy families in the Annandale/Bailey's Crossroads area, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity. Except for the Child Development Center, all ACCA services are provided by volunteers.

To learn more about ACCA, visit our website at www.accacares.org.  

ACCA Members
Annandale United Methodist

Braddock Baptist

Calvary Church of the Nazarene

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Annandale Ward
and
Little River Ward

Cornerstone Evangelical Free

Culmore United Methodist

First Presbyterian

Friendship United Methodist

Holy Spirit Catholic

Hope Lutheran

John Calvin Presbyterian

Lincolnia United Methodist 

Mt. Pleasant Baptist

Peace Lutheran

Providence Presbyterian

Queen of the Apostles Catholic

Ravenworth Baptist

Sleepy Hollow United Methodist

St. Alban's Episcopal

St. Anthony Catholic

St. Barnabas Episcopal

St. Michael's Catholic

St. Paul's Episcopal

United Baptist

Warner Baptist    

Thanksgiving Service Celebrates Unity
Clergy ACCA member churches 
Clergy gathered for the Community Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at AUMC. Click the photo to see more photos.

Ten ACCA member churches participated in a community ecumenical Thanksgiving service at Annandale United Methodist Church (AUMC) on Nov. 22. Rev. Clarence Brown (AUMC) welcomed the participants and offered thanks for ACCA's 50 years of ministry to our community. Rev. Elizabeth Tomlinson, St. Paul's Episcopal gave the homily. An ecumenical choir and the Annanbells hand bell choir performed a variety of musical selections.

The service was followed by a reception and display of photo albums of ACCA history. The participating churches were AUMC, John Calvin Presbyterian, Lincolnia United Methodist, Mt. Pleasant Baptist, Peace Lutheran, Ravensworth Baptist, St. Alban's Episcopal, St. Barnabas' Episcopal, St. Paul's Episcopal, and Queen of Apostles Catholic. The offering was given to ACCA for the Challenge Campaign.
Annual Challenge Campaign Launches
ACCA is calling on friends and neighbors to give generously to the annual Challenge Campaign. Our goal is to raise $120,000 to continue meeting emergency needs in our community. ACCA is recognized as "One of the Best Small Non-Profits" in the Washington Metropolitan area by the Catalogue for Philanthropy. In 2016 we served nearly 5,000 people in the Annandale and Baileys Crossroads areas with almost $500,000 in human services that they would otherwise have done without.
 
Several donors have already pledged $36,200, but we need much more to reach our goal by January 31, 2017. Please mail your gift to ACCA, Inc. at 7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003. You can also give online through the Catalogue for Philanthropy or PayPal. We are counting your continued support.
9th Annual Winter Clothing Drive
winter coat Cold weather has arrived and so has ACCA's 9th annual winter clothing drive. We are collecting outerwear garments, including winter jackets, sweaters, hooded sweatshirts, gloves and warm wool hats for men, women and children. The donations will be will be shard with day laborers, residents at the Bailey's Crossroads Community Shelter, and children at the ACCA CDC. ACCA churches can arrange to have donations picked up between Nov. 28 and Dec. 7 by contacting Don or Mary Lee Di Spirito at 703-256-9513 or via email to ddmld@verizon.net .
Lots Happening at the CDC
children reading books 
Children at the CDC enjoying their new books. Click the picture above to see more CDC activity on Facebook.

Reading is Fundamental of NOVA visited the Child Development Center (CDC) and distributed books to the chilrdren. Teachers, staff, parents, grandparents, and children enacted the story from the book "Big Pumpkin" by Erica Silverman. Then it was time to pick books -- so many choices! Thanks go out to Ms. Le, Ms. Jasmeet, parent volunteers and all of the teachers for working to create such a wonderful event.

E Ruffing A Hicks and CDC staff 
The CDC also hosted ACCA co-founder Emily Ruffing (front, center) in preparation for the 50th anniversary celebration. Emily met with the staff who have prepared photo albums documenting ACCA's history.  
Remember ACCA on Giving Tuesday
givng tues 2016 Each year, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is designated Giving Tuesday. It is a day for all of us to show our support for the causes we care most about. ACCA will use Giving Tuesday donations to meet our Challenge Campaign goal of $120,000 by January 31. Just visit our Challenge Campaign page to make a safe and secure online donation.  
Brochure Highlights ACCA's Work 
Would you like a quick introduction to ACCA and how we serve our community? A new brochure highlights ACCA's accomplishments in 2016, from providing rent assistance and delivering food and furniture, to offering high quality developmental childcare, to granting scholarships and making home repairs. No wonder ACCA has been named one of the best small nonprofits by the Catalogue of Philanthropy! Download a copy to share with a friend or neighbor.
ACCA Ministries Update - October
Family Emergency Assistance provided more than $22,000 for rent, utilities and other expenses for 41 families in October. Among these families was a single mother with four children whose utilities had been cut off. Also served was a single mother with two children who left her spouse because of domestic violence. Both women have secured employment to help them become self sufficient in the future.
 
The Furniture Ministry made deliveries to 26 households and pickups from 21 homes. We served a family of four who live in a basement apartment and had nothing but their beds. ACCA provided tables, chairs, a sofa and linens. Another client moved into Oxford House and had nothing. ACCA provided a bed, chair, table and lamp to help this client on his road to recovery.
 
The Food Pantry made 64 deliveries, serving 184 people. We are very grateful to the Boy Scout troops who replenished our shelves in November through the very successful Scouting for Food Drive. Thank you to all all who donated and to the volunteers who transported the donations and restocked our shelves. 

The SCAS/ACCA Transportation Ministry provided 43 rides. Unfortunately, 8 requests could not be fulfilled because we lack a sufficient number of volunteer drivers. If you are available during the day and able to drive someone to his or her medical appointments, please
contact ACCA Transportation Chair Gail Coleman at gv.coleman@verizon.net, or the Shepherd's Center at 703-941-1419 or shepherdscas@vacoxmail.com.
 
Meals on Wheels of Annandale made 461 deliveries to 25 individuals.Four new clients were added who were previously served by a Korean Meals on Wheels program which has ended. 
Alternative Holiday Gift Market
stacked gifts The annual Alternative Gift Market will be held Dec. 4, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., at John Calvin Presbyterian, 6531 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA.

Shop a selection of holiday gifts while helping to support outreach projects to relieve poverty and suffering across the world. ACCA and the Kisima Child Care Academy in Kenya are among the beneficiaries. Cash, checks, credit cards accepted.
Holiday Baskets
Food basket Are you looking to share the spirit of Christmas with a needy family in our community? Making a Difference will match you with a local family that does not have the means to provide for a Christmas celebration. You provide food items or grocery cards and gifts for any children in the family under age 18. This is a perfect opportunity for an individual, family, or small group to give someone else a memorable Christmas. Contact Mary Lee Di Spirito by Dec. 12 for more information and to be matched with a family at 703-256- 9513 or via email ddmld@verizon.net.
 

Hypothermia Prevention
No one deserved to be left out in the cold in Fairfax County this winter. From late November through March, a countywide community network provides overnight shelter. The network is made up of nonprofit and faith-based community partners, including the Baileys Crossroads Community Shelter (BCCS). Last winter, 1,061 men and women received a safe, warm place to sleep.
 
If you see someone at night who is unsheltered and you think could be at risk of hypothermia, call the county's non-emergency phone line at 703-691-2131, TTY 711. A list of donations needed to help support BCCS Hypothermia Prevention Program is posted online.