Contact: Nate King Community Resource Associate [email protected] 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston, VA 20190 Ph 571-323-9569 / Fx 571-323-9554 United Way #8177 / CFC #90617
Deliver Donated Items to: Embry Rucker Community Shelter 11975 Bowman Towne Drive Reston VA 20190
Timeline: Contact Nate King as soon as possible to arrange a date to drop of donated items. Costs: Free if you are able to collect donations from local stores. (Most stores will donate items if you contact them with at least a month's notice. Content Areas: Social Studies (giving back to community), Language Arts (written letter/communication with Reston Interfaith), Math (estimation of items and cost) Students/Teachers: Teachers can volunteer to tutor ESL students as well as help students with homework. Students can receive help from volunteers with homework. They can also be provided with necessary goods that are lacking in their home. Other: Reston Interfaith accepts a variety of donations including Clothing, Food, Household Items, Toiletries, and Toys. They also have Special Drives such as Gifts for Kids, Back-to-School, Hypothermia, Thanksgiving, and Winter Coat Closet.
Evaluation Everything about this field trip provides for a positive experience through the joy of helping others. Being able to provide something so vital as food to others who are less fortunate is a wonderful gift. The staff of Reston Interfaith was very friendly and gracious for any donations that were made. Their communication was excellent as they were open to any questions that were asked. What I would have changed and my suggestions for future planners are very similar. To those looking to plan a similar field trip, I would strongly encourage you to get in contact with local stores as soon as possible. The more donations students/teachers can accrue from local stores, then the more people your donation will benefit. I learned that during the holiday season, the shelter does receive many donations from good citizens; this makes me wonder how they hold up during the other months (from January to October.) In the future, I hope to encourage my class to want to donate items throughout the year. I want my students to know that their efforts, even if it may seem small in their minds, are making a difference in other people's lives.