Successful Earth Day Event Benefits Assistance League

Assistance League of Northern Virginia’s triple-header Earth Day celebration got off to a great start with cars lined up in the Franklin Farm parking lot at 10 am with drivers ready to have their important papers shredded, drop off athletic shoes for our Got-Sneakers Campaign, and donate nonperishable food for the Community of Faith Food Pantry in Franklin Farm.

This year, Boy Scouts from two troops helped, and the nonprofit welcomed their care and enthusiasm. Scouts from Troop 17 in Centreville and Troop 1257 in Franklin Farms came prepared and proved their mettle with their careful attention to their assignments. Some scouts helped by sorting the various food items into crates by type, and by sorting and bagging the sneakers, and some scouts helped unload papers from cars to shred, and made sure that no metal, cardboard or other materials that can’t be shredded were dumped in the hoppers. Also, The Franklin Farm Scouts delivered the donated food to the food pantry.

Mother Nature had different plans for our Earth Day observance. Around noon, the dark clouds opened up and the rainstorm arrived. Although the rain was much needed, Assistance League had to cease operations in the face of the threatening storm. During the 2 hours of good weather, 80 cars drove through with papers to shred. The charity also collected more than 8 bags of sneakers and plenty of food to help combat food insecurity in the community.

This event was a team effort. Assistance League is grateful to its member, Maureen Dawson, for making the arrangements and reserving the truck from EcoShred, and to the Franklin Farm Social Committee, a long-time partner for these events. Assistance League also appreciates the considerable help from the two Boy Scout Troops, its own members, and the community volunteers who helped make this another successful event. So much support allows the nonprofit to continue delivering essential services to the most vulnerable in the community.