Northern Virginia Helping Those Affected by Hurricane Harvey

The smallest idea or donation can go on a long way when you put forth the effort. Recently we’ve seen the devastation impacting the Southern states and our neighboring islands, it seems like one natural disaster after another. People have lost their homes, valuables, and businesses. There's a long road ahead of them but the support of others make that road a bit more bearable. Luckily, this is where the good will and support of those all over the country. A colleague of mine, Gina Tufano of Pearson Smith Realty put together a donation drive to support those affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

Tufano partnered with local Sterling-based My Guys Moving to coordinate the packaging and delivery of donations ranging from baby formula, diapers, wipes, and shelf stable food, to cleaning supplies, storage bins, fans, and charging cables. Gina focused on goods that would be of immediate benefit. Local community vendors opened their doors as collection centers: Lost Rhino Brewing Company of Ashburn, Evergreen Sportsplex of Leesburg, and Winwood Children’s Center of Fairfax are a few of nearly 20 collection centers between Arlington and Purcellville. To garnish the support of the entire Northern Virginia region is truly an accomplishment.

Loudoun & Fairfax residents donated the necessary goods. Children throughout Ashburn elementary schools wrote letters of encouragement. Members of the Briar Woods High School football team volunteered their time and energy to effectively load the various donations into the trucks. This goes to show that everyone plays a fundamental role – no matter how big or how small, in supporting others in times of need.

On top of those that supported this event, various local vendors supported the cause in their own way. Dulles Golf Center and Sports Park will be donating a 20 percent of its gross September sales to the American Red Cross for Disaster relief.Doukenie Winery held a relief fundraiser and are donating $5,000 to the American Red Cross. Spanky's Shenanigans Pub in Leesburg collected donations and supplies to help pets displaced by Hurricane Harvey.

Check out the article WJLA posted on the efforts: Northern Virginia fills truck with supplies for Texas Hurricane Victims.

For more information on how you can help those affected by the recent string of hurricanes, visit the following resources: NPR - Helping those affected by Hurricane Harvey, and Mashable - How to help Hurricane Irma victims.

#PearsonSmithRealty #HurricanHarvey #StormofSupport #MyGuysMoving #Donations #LoudounCounty #FairfaxCounty #HurricaneIrma #NorthernVirginia #BriarWoods #Support