Welcome to Hope in Action
April 29, 2020
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A Note From Kathy MacKrell
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Here we are six weeks into social distancing and I don’t know about you, but I really want to get out there and do something to help, WITH PEOPLE. I have always been a doer. I like to get things done, WITH PEOPLE. That is why I love my job. I describe what I do as helping people help people. All of this can be hard to do when we are told to stay home and stay away from OTHER PEOPLE.
Over these past weeks, the Crossroads' SERVE team has been working to find ways for us to help the vulnerable in our community. We have reached out to many local non-profits and they all say the same thing, stay home and send money. This answer doesn't do much for those of us who want to physically get involved. Serving is how we are transformed. Serving is how I practice my faith.
As much as we would like to get out there and help those in need, we have to remember that staying home and social distancing is helping. By staying home, we are serving some of the most vulnerable in our community.
This newsletter will continue to offer practical ways we can help at home. Our hope is that these acts of service are as beneficial and meaningful for you as they are for those who receive them. We have to have faith that this is helping. As far as sending money, we have come up for an idea for that too. The SERVE Team reached out to the Loudoun County Homeless Shelter and they suggested a way we can assist them. Please read below for details. I guess now is the time for me and you to help other people, help people.
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Taking Care of the Community
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The Loudoun County Homeless Shelter helps men, women and families who are experiencing homelessness. In order to properly social distance, they have been forced to house some individuals and families in local hotels. This has caused a need for Giant and Wegmans gift cards.
Because of your generous giving to the Easter Offering, Crossroads is able to provide Loudoun County Homeless Shelter with twenty (20) $25 gift cards. We will also be giving them many of the toiletries we have been collecting during this pandemic.
If you have any questions or would like to provide additional gift cards, please contact
Kathy MacKrell.
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Masks Available and Mask Making
Crossroads families have been hard at work making masks for at-risk individuals and essential employees. Now that everyone has been encouraged to wear a mask in public spaces, Crossroads is now making masks available to everyone.
A limited number of masks are now available for pick up at Crossroads. Please email
Kathy MacKrell
and we will get a mask to you for free or a small donation for those who are able. Masks are also available outside Crossroads’ Entrance 1, weekdays from 10:30am-1:30pm.
If you are interested in helping produce the cloth mask, you can contact
Jill Hughes
.
You can sew masks or prep and cut material. Jill also has created a Facebook page under the name
Emmaline's Treasures
to share information.
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Hope in Action Featured Friend:
Marie Poole
One way to stay connected is to write a note or card of support and friendship to our very own Marie Poole. Marie is 97 years old and lives independently. Marie is not able to watch worship on line, so she is missing her Crossroads family very much. Since we can't visit in person right now, we know Marie would love a note from you!
Please send letters to Crossroads at: 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147
Attention: Marie Poole
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Crossroads Native Plant Garden
Crossroads will be 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
. 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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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
.
Contact the Loudoun County Information and Referral (I&R) program to get connected to vital health and human services information and resources in Loudoun County. 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. Counseling is available in English and Spanish. They will also assist those who need help filing for unemployment. All services are free. 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.
The latest Imagine Well Being newsletter 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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