Local Seniors Collect & Donate Clothing for Area Homeless

(Ashburn, Va.) – Years ago, Mildred Fitch noticed a photo in The Washington Post  picturing a homeless child who only received one gift box for Christmas; the image stuck with her. Today, you can find Fitch packing full her minivan with clothing items donated by her friends and neighbors at Ashby Ponds retirement community in Ashburn.

Once her van is full, she drives dozens of bags of donated items every few months from Ashburn to a donation and distribution center for area homeless in Northwest D.C. Though Fitch has been making donations herself to area shelters and organizations since 1980, she started collecting items at Ashby Ponds just over one year ago. Now, she is almost ready to make her fifth trip to the center in D.C.

According to Fitch, most clothing donated by her friends and neighbors at the community include winter items like coats, sweaters, scarves, and hats, but also other important accessories like socks and shoes. Some of her neighbors at Ashby Ponds, including Ruth Durloo, Jean Balcom, and Sharon Harvey, help with the collection and the loading, and accompany her on donation trips.

Photo: (L to R) At Ashby Ponds, residents Ruth Durloo, Mildred Fitch, Jean Balcom, and Sharon Harvey add more bags of donated clothing items to Fitch’s minivan for her next trip into Northwest D.C.

About Ashby Ponds: Ashby Ponds, one of 18 retirement communities managed by Erickson Living, is situated on a scenic 132-acre campus in Ashburn, Virginia (approximately 30 miles west of Washington, D.C.). The community is home to over 850 residents and has over 120 resident-run and resident-driven clubs and groups, an indoor pool, a fitness club, transportation services, 24-hour security, and flexible dining options. More information about Ashby Ponds can be found at www.ericksonliving.com.