Welcome to Hope in Action
April 22, 2020
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A Note From Kathy MacKrell
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Happy Earth Day! Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson. His intention was to have a day of education about environmental issues. By raising awareness of pollution, Nelson hoped to bring environmental causes into the national spotlight. Today is the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to preserve, protect and care for what God created. Part of the United Methodists Social Principles state:
All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Water, air, soil, minerals, energy resources, plants, animal life, and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God’s creation and not solely because they are useful to human beings.”
I don’t know about you, but I have been spending a lot of time outdoors lately. When my girls were young, we were outside all the time. Playing in the yard, going to parks or walking the neighborhood trails were a daily occurrence. As the girls grew into adults, I confess I got away from spending much time in nature. I found other ways to occupy my time and became busy doing things that seemed more important.
This quarantine has reset an urge in me to be outside. For some of us working and staying at home, nature is one of our only sources for escape. Whether you are able to get outside or just look out the windows of your home, signs of hope and renewal are all around us. It has reminded me that even during a pandemic, life goes on. Spring has sprung despite what is happening in the world. What a gift that is to all of us! God gifted us the earth and entrusted humans to care for it. As they have been saying, "we are all in this together". Let's all do our part.
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Below you will find ways you can participate in Earth Day while social distancing. It is easier than you might think!
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Crossroads Native Plant Garden
In honor of Earth Day, Crossroads will start featuring native plants in bloom in our native garden. The garden has been prepped for spring and is alive and well. If you live in the area, you are encouraged to check it out on your next nature walk or drive by. Click
here
for more information on native plants for Northern Virginia. You can also contact Crossroads' Native Plant Specialist,
BJ Lecrone
.
Click
here
for more information on native plants for Northern Virginia. Native plants can be purchased online at
Watermark Nursery
in Hamilton, Virginia.
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Featured plant for this week:
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Taking Care of the Community
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Mask Making
Crossroads families have been hard at work making masks for at-risk individuals and essential employees who work with the public. The Hughes and Denicore families have been leading this effort. Government Officials are now encouraging everyone to wear cloth masks when in public spaces. This makes the need for masks even greater.
Jill Hughes has asked for help in producing the masks. Since the call went out last week, so many people offered to sew, Jill now needs volunteers to wash, iron and cut fabric.
Jill will provide mask making kits in increments of 10, complete with pre-cut fabric, elastic ear loops and instructions. Once completed and returned, we will sanitize the masks and deliver them. Jill has also created a Facebook page under the name,
Emmaline's Treasures
, to share information or you can email her at
Jill.hughes2@verizon.net
if you want to volunteer
.
A limited number of masks are now available for pick up at Crossroads. Please email
kmackrell@crossroadsnova.org
and we will get a mask to you for free or a small donation for those who are able.
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Hope in Action Featured Friend:
Mary Helen Nickelberry
One way to stay connected is to write a note or card of support and friendship to our very own Mary Helen Nickelberry. Mary Helen is 100 years old and since people can't visit in person right now, we know Mary Helen would love a note from you!
Please send letters to Crossroads at: 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147
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Cards and Notes of Encouragement for Healthcare Workers
Health Care workers are on the front lines of this pandemic and deserve as much praise and support that we can give them. Crossroads is encouraging notes be sent to the staff at the following nursing home and hospitals.
Heritage Hall
is a senior care facility in Leesburg. If you would like to send handwritten cards and notes to Heritage Hall, please send them to
Heritage Hall – Activities, 122 Morven Park, NW, Leesburg, VA. 20176.
They will make sure that staff receive the notes.
There is also an opportunity to send notes to
Loudoun Inova
staff via email.
Simply use
this link
and express your gratitude and appreciation.
A guide for writing a note can be found
here
.
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Reach out to friends and neighbors
Let’s continue to make sure that those in our neighborhood who are identified as high risk are looked after. If you know of anyone living alone, elderly, health compromised, or are just concerned for their well being, let us know. Volunteers are ready to reach out and shop or run needed errands.
Details on how to serve or who to contact can be found
here
.
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Donate needed supplies
Crossroads, HOPE Preschool and the Imagine Well Being communities are also collecting diapers, toilet paper, travel shampoo and soaps for those in need.
Drop off donations at Entrance 1 at Crossroads.
Details can be found
here
.
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Loudoun County Health & Services has provided a comprehensive list of resources available to those in need. The link is
here
.
Some vital resources are highlighted below.
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Feed our neighbors
It is important during this time to make sure that all families have enough to eat. Take advantage of Loudoun County School Nutrition Services’ free breakfast and lunch options. Many Loudoun County Public Schools are open for food pick up.
A list of LCPS meal pick up locations can be found
here
and a map of LCPS meal service bus routes can be found
here
.
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Additional Loudoun County resources are available for anyone in need of food.
Please take advantage of the following organizations:
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Unemployment and Employment Resources
Loudoun Workforce Resource Center provides i
nformation about unemployment benefits or other work-related topics. Click
here
for their website.
Crossroads Jobs is a non profit experienced in advising candidates who have challenges in securing employment. All services are free. Click
here
for their website.
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Medical Assistance for the Uninsured
Healthworks for Northern Virginia is administering COVID-19 tests. Patients are charged according to income. Click
here
for their website.
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Taking Care of the Family
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Resources for your family
Heart & Home is a resource
designed for families of all sizes including grandparents, aunts and uncles who can share this with extended family.
The latest Heart & Home newsletter can be found
here
.
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Mind, Body and Soul
Imagine Well Being gatherings are available via Zoom so that you can be sure to take care of yourself during this stressful time.
Each gathering is a stand alone and designed to bring you more inner peace and healing in mind, body and soul.
A full list of gatherings can be found
here.
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Community
Zoom Circles of Care are small groups where you can find support, care and community.
A full list of these groups can be found
here
.
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Pray
Pray for healing, comfort, hope and love for everyone around the world.
A Prayer for the World Facing Coronavirus
can be found
here
.
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