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SHELTER HOUSE CHANGING LIVES NEWSLETTER
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A NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO
November is truly one of my favorite times of the year. The month seems to create a sense of giving nationwide. Specifically in our enterprise, it is always a heartwarming experience to see how our community of organizations, businesses, individuals and families join together to ensure our neighbors facing life challenges have a memorable holiday season upon them.
As you begin to think about what giving means to you this holiday season, I encourage you to think about our children who are in shelter, or the woman who is fleeing her abusive husband, or the family who is experiencing homelessness without any method of transportation. As you feel compelled to give this year, consider the following: volunteerism, contributing to food drives, monetary donations, holiday gifts and so much more.
Thank you for your continued and future support to Shelter House as you embark on this giving season!
Executive Director and CEO
Shelter House, Inc.
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE PURPLE PURSE CHALLENGE
Thank you to all who supported Shelter House in this year's
Purple Purse Challenge,
a public awareness and fundraising campaign aimed at raising awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence and financial abuse and the need for resources to help survivors.
With your support, Shelter House exceeded it's goal of $10,000 and raised $11,615!
We are overwhelmed by the support and generosity you have shown throughout the Challenge and appreciate all that you do for our organization.
We are also excited to announce the winners of our raffle giveaways! Congratulations to Thomas Shaw,
who won the Purple Purse by Serena Williams and to Kim Kendrick, who won the Kendra Scott Necklace and Nail Polish Set.
Without our supporters, we would not be able to continue to provide the crisis intervention, safe housing and supportive services necessary to promote self-sufficiency for the victims of domestic violence we serve in our community each and every day. Thank you for all that you do!
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR UNMASK DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EVENT
To view the album from the
Unmask Domestic Violence Event, click
here
.
Shelter House was proud to hold its first Unmask Domestic Violence Event on Friday, October 27 at P.J. Skidoos in Fairfax. The evening was filled with great food, drinks, raffle prizes and over 125 individuals who came out to show their support.
We are ecstatic to announce that we raised over $4,000 from raffle ticket sales! All funds will go directly toward benefiting the survivors and their families that we serve at Artemis House, Fairfax County's only 24-hour emergency domestic violence shelter, as they continue on their path to safety and security.
Due to the overwhelming success, we look forward to expanding the event next year to make an even greater impact as we continue to Unmask Domestic Violence!
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PARTICIPATE IN SHELTER HOUSE'S THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
For many of us, the meaning of Thanksgiving usually includes feasting, four-day weekends, football games, floats, family reunions and is a time to gather with family and friends to give thanks for the many blessings. However, not everyone in our community is quite as lucky.
What comes to your mind when you think of Thanksgiving? Consider participating in our food drive to help make a holiday meal possible for the clients we serve and make a difference in their Thanksgiving this year. For more information, click
here.
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HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual program where people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness.
For more than 40 years, this nationwide event has helped bring together communities to declare that every person deserves a meal and a roof over their head. This year more than 750 colleges, community groups, and faith-based organizations across the nation will take part.
How You Can Help
- Donate: Support our programs by donating items such as food, clothing, blankets and funds
- Host an Event: to raise awareness about hunger and homelessness in our community. Advertise that a portion of all funds raised will benefit Shelter House
- Volunteer: Pitch in by volunteering at one of our shelters
Participate in Paisano's Franchise-Wide "Share the Pie" Initiative
We are excited to share that
Paisano's Pizza has partnered with Shelter House for their
Share the Pie Event on
Monday, November 13 in correlation with Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
Whether you are planning a company meeting, lunch date or Monday Night Football party, Paisano's offers it all! Present or mention
this flyer at the time of your order (online orders not valid) and 20% of your total purchase will be donated to Shelter House to support the families experiencing homelessness we serve.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR GIVING TUESDAY - NOVEMBER 28, 2017
Join Shelter House in the movement on
#GivingTuesday.
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.
Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
One of the best ways to get involved is in your own community.
This November 28th, join the movement and give - whether it's through time, a donation, gift or the power of your voice in your local community.
It's a simple idea. Whether you come together with your family, your community, your company or your organization, find a way to give back.
By
making your donation on November 28th, your year-end donation is already complete. Thank you in advance for your support!
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DONOR SPOTLIGHT - ST. MARK CATHOLIC CHURCH
Recently, Shelter House received a generous donation of $2,000 from St. Mark Catholic Church to support our clients as they embark on this holiday season. We are excited to feature the organization, as they have also donated more than just money - they have donated items and their time to our clients in hopes of making a difference.
What are St. Mark's three top priorities when giving?
- That we are helping people in need directly
- That we are helping the organization continue to services the needs of others
- That we are building a relationship with the community to help stem the problems to those who are in need
What does St. Mark want its gifts to accomplish and why is that important to the organization?
We want our gifts to help those directly in need, but not only to supply a "band-aid" for the short-term, but to help provide the tools necessary to move forward in self-sufficiency.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about giving to Shelter House?
As an organization, St. Mark Catholic Church would tell those interested that
instead of ignoring the person on the corner of the street or ignoring the news about homelessness and domestic violence, to support a local organization that can help and knows how to help. These problems are in our neighborhood! It's not just other parts of the country/world...it is here in our community!
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT - HELIOS HR
Helios HR is truly a catalyst for positive change in our community. Most recently, they organized a Halloween Party for all of the children Shelter House currently serves. Collectively they donated over 100 costumes in addition to providing fun activities such as face painting, pumpkin painting and spooky story time. All of our children were thrilled to receive their own costumes and participate in the fun and engaging activities. One child even expressed, "this is the best day of my whole life!"
What is Helios HR passionate about and what inspires the organization to volunteer?
Helios HR's commitment to civic duty is one of its main values. As an organization grows, so does its responsibility to give back to the world around us. Our company attempts to keep this responsibility as a focus as we grow and evolve.
What was Helios HR's most rewarding experience when volunteering at Shelter House?
Our Halloween Party for the children was amazing! We received so many donations from other companies in the community and we were able to have costumes for each child, candy, hear spooky stories, paint pumpkins, face painting, pizza and just have fun. Every child deserves to just be a kid and seeing the smiles when they found that one costume that made them feel special was amazing beyond words and made all the work leading up to it, worth every second.
What are Helios HR's dreams for the community?
One of the things that is most impressible about Shelter House is that it gives its clients the opportunity to receive a helping hand and still be respected. There is not a single person who has not needed help at some point in their life, some to a different magnitude than others, but no one should ever feel lesser of value because they are in need.
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
No one should have to worry about whether they will have food on their plate or a roof over their head, however, the reality is that hunger and homelessness are widespread problems in the community. Participate in Shelter House's food drive to make this Thanksgiving meal possible for those in need.
November 1 - 15
An annual program where people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Participating groups spend the week holding a series of educational, service, fundraising, and advocacy events.
November 11 - 19
Paisano's strongly believes that much of its success is owed to the loyal community support over the years. As a result, Paisano's created the
"Share the Pie" initiative, a fundraising program that allows the company to partner with the community to bring further awareness and support for local organizations in need.
November 13
National Philanthropy Day is the day that thousands around the world come together to both put that word into action and recognize the change that word has brought to our communities.
November 15
Giving Tuesday is a coordinated, national fundraising effort when all non-profit organizations will ask their supporters to dig a little deeper to help those in need before year-end holidays.
November 28
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Shelter House is a community-based, non-profit 501(c)3 organization and your gifts directly support our mission and programs.
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STAY CONNECTED:
Connect with us today and help us spread the word!
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