Article by Tanya Erway, Volunteer Solutions Recruitment Coordinator
(Posted 2022 July)
It’s not uncommon for ice hockey fans to be perched on the edge of their seats while watching an action-packed game. What makes it even better is watching $100 being added to your program’s pot of money every time the Washington Capitals (“Caps”) score a goal. GrandInvolve volunteers experienced this level of excitement when their program was chosen for the 2021-22 Burke & Herbert Bank Scores for Kids campaign.
"It was a very exciting hockey season for all our volunteers as we kept up with NBC Sports Washington. We’re thankful to their team who promoted our GrandInvolve program repeatedly at each game throughout the season, both on-air and in its social media," gushed Dot Keenan, GrandInvolve founder and executive director.
The Scores for Kids Campaign is a partnership that began in 2015 between Burke & Herbert Bank and NBC Sports Washington. The Caps’ excellent performance this past season resulted in a very generous $27,500 donation to GrandInvolve! Several GrandInvolve board members, volunteer leaders, and a representative from Fairfax County Public Schools were thrilled and honored to accept the money on May 24 at the Burke & Herbert Bank headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.
GrandInvolve volunteers are older adults who are placed in Title I schools to provide support to Fairfax County teachers and students. The volunteers may help in any number of ways, including as reading or math helpers, mentors, classroom assistants, and more. They help students build confidence, and achieve and maintain grade-level skills. This program fosters intergenerational relationships which are beneficial to all involved, across the age spectrum.
GrandInvolve plans to use this money to expand their volunteer presence across Fairfax County. The pandemic has posed a challenge in the past two years, but in the 2022-23 school year their hope and goal is to place 10 volunteers in each school where they have an established partnership. They currently partner with 25 Title I schools and plan to add more.
If you’re patient, encouraging, dependable, and interested in volunteering, email volunteer@grandinvolve.org. For more information go to Grandinvolve.org.
To explore various Fairfax County volunteer opportunities, go to bit.ly/FFXVOLUNTEER. If you would like to advertise a volunteer opportunity, email Tanya Erway at Tanya.Erway@FairfaxCounty.gov.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).