Rise Against Hunger Reston Rotary Foundation, Student Rotaract Club of South Lakes High School and local community recently came together to help the hungry. On January 11, the Reston Rotary Foundation, the fundraising and grant-making arm of the Reston Rotary Club and the Student Rotaract Club of South Lakes High School teamed up to benefit the Rise Against Hunger organization. Their mission—packing 10,000 meals for the needy and unfortunate. The Reston Rotary Club is a volunteer organization dedicated to actively making Reston a better place to live through community service. The organizations partnered with the local Apex Leadership Co. branch to facilitate the Anython program, an online-based fundraiser that allows students, youth groups, sports teams and more to reach greater potential. By raising funds with the help of technology and the internet, groups can expand their reach, making a more significant impact through their donations both within the local community and afar. The Rotary Club of Reston and South Lakes High School’s goal was to pack 10,000 meals for kids and families. The meals would be distributed to schools in poverty-stricken areas around the world and places hard hit by natural disasters. Dina D’Ambrosi, Area Director for Apex Leadership Company’s Northern Virginia branch states, “They not only met that goal but also raised $6,464.00.” Sixty community volunteers came out to help—well over the number of volunteers that pre-registered. www.apexleadershipco.com “Apex, along with supporting organizations, is working to raise funds to support our 2020 programs with a big emphasis on children’s well-being and education,” says D’Ambrosi. “Through our partnership with Rise Against Hunger and the help of dozens of volunteers, we are so proud that we met our goal of packing 10,000 meals in Reston.” Once the $10,000 goal is met to fund the Rise Against Hunger program, additional funds are used to support the Foundation’s ongoing community efforts including: • Aldrin Elementary Band of Brothers program, Aldrin Reads and a partnership with Riamukurwe Primary School In Nyeri, Kenya • Scholarships for students at Reston’s South Lakes High School • Support for youth programming with the Reston Community Orchestra • Operation Warm (provides coats for Reston children in need)
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