Archive for the ‘Asides’ Category

Thanksgiving has always been a curious time of year for me. I am always rushing whether I am getting ready to entertain here, packing up to travel, or trying to finish projects before the holiday, but there’s also a strong pull to sit back and reflect on the meaning of holiday – or maybe it’s just procrastination.

Beyond family and friends, the other usual stuff, for me The Giving Circle of Alexandria is right at the top of my list.

#1 I am grateful for our financial contributions that we invest back into programs like Healthy Families Alexandria and the Developmental Playgroup Initiative with the Center for Alexandria’s Children and our co-investor, ACT for Alexandria to help Alexandria’s children thrive, as well as our Developmental Gifts.

#2.  I am grateful for our community service work in the past year which include our book drive in the spring, ALIVE!’s Last Saturday Food Distribution in February, the projects through Giving Circle Families and other efforts throughout the year.

#3  I am grateful to everyone who has opened their home for meetings and events.  Hospitality and friendship are keynotes of our organization.

# 4. I am grateful for the great women on our Board and Committees who make the Giving Circle work and make the work fun.

# 5.  I am grateful to each and every member, whether you can give a little or a lot, whether or not you are able to get involved in other ways, together we do more.

Thank you for all you do for the Giving Circle and the community in this time of great challenge.  I hope that you have a wonderful holiday with family and friends.

Last night’s 5th Anniversary Celebration at Maria Hopper’s was amazing! Thanks to Maria for hosting a great party.  It was inspiring to hear everyone’s recollections and be a part of the energy.  It reminded me of why I joined.

Everyone has a Giving Circle story. Here are a couple of others…

Sue Setliff:  “The Giving Circle gives me a reason every day to think about others. My daughter is five years old and already she knows my work with the Giving circle is something I choose to do, not something I have to do.”

Cathleen Phelps: “Everyone has hopes and dreams for their children.  I know my contribution to The Giving Circle is going to give children the best chance of achieving those hopes and dreams, much more of a chance than any individual investment I could make.  Last year, I watched a family’s life change instantly because of Giving Circle work.  It was truly humbling, heartwarming and unforgettable.  Each time I hear stories about the results of our gifts, it makes me want to give more.”

What is your story?  Why are you part of The Giving Circle?  If you just joined, what are you looking for?  Leave a comment below and tell us.  Shy?  Send me an email instead.

1) Renew your membership or join the Giving Circle. You can renew or join online.  Come on, go ahead and click right now.

2) Spread a more generous gift out over time. It is easier to give more if you don’t have to give it all at once and if you don’t wait until the holiday season to do it.  And the very easiest way to give is to do it automatically.  Schedule regular contributions with your online billpay service to make a greater gift throughout the year. If each of us does this, our investment in our community can grow by an order of magnitude.

3) Bring a friend to a membership open house party. Another way to build the Giving Circle gift is to grow the circle of women.  If you know women looking for a way to learn about family and children’s issues in Alexandria and who want to be part of the solution, invite them in!  Growing the circle grows the gift but also the fun, laughter and friendship.  Here’s a list of parties coming up; please RSVP to Pamela Larson:

4) Volunteer to help an organization who has received a Giving Circle gift. The time commitment does not have to be large and it is the best way to see your investment at work. Contact me, Peggy Morrison-Curtis, to find out something that will be a good fit for your interest and whatever amount of time you have.

It’s as simple as that.  What kind of investment will you make?

His words reminded me both of the work we do to support families and of the power we have as a Giving Circle to make real changes because we are working together.Fall is a busy time; how can each of us find a way to be involved in our community with everything else going on?  Involvement can take many forms and flexibility is our hallmark. There is a lot to do, from participating in the Gifts Committee’s a fresh look at parental engagement needs in the community, to taking part in a service activity, to hosting a Giving Circle party and inviting friends to join our work.

School is out and summer is here!  The Giving Circle is wrapping up a great year, and work is already underway to start anew.  There are a variety of volunteer activities coming up this summer and fall and some of these are very flexible.

Mark your calendars for our Fifth Anniversary Gathering, tentatively scheduled for November 4 at 7:00 pm. Building our membership is essential to everything we do and, even now, Sue Setliff and the membership team are planning for the coming year.  For questions about joining this group, contact Sue Setliff.  To join, complete our online membership form.