99% of rides requested were satisfied
Excerpt from latest newsletter
41 volunteers provided 500 rides, driving
4,000 miles in 420 hours
311 were for medical or dental appointments
58 were for physical therapy or psychotherapy
122 were for grocery shopping
Four were for handy helpers
Five volunteer drivers joined SCMAFC during the quarter as well as eight new clients
It is difficult to say enough about Betty Douglass’ contributions to SCMAFC over her eight years as a volunteer. Like most other volunteers she began as a driver for clients and continues to do so. But by her second year she was asked to join the Board of Directors where she has served until retiring from this role in December. During her years on the Board Betty served in a number of capacities and in her final three as its Chair. Her substantial time investment and work ethic have been recognized and admired by fellow Board members, clients, volunteers, members of community organizations, and by other Shepherd’s Centers.
As Board chair she has worked tirelessly to increase volunteer and client membership, and to improve Board management and organization. Last year Betty led the Center through the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring that services to clients were able to continue with minimal impact to them and to volunteer drivers. This included for the first time the addition of Center- funded taxi rides for clients and donations of Center-acquired face masks to clients living in the Lewinsville Retirement Residences, Chesterbrook Residences, and The Fallstead, along with all clients and volunteers who requested them.
We will miss Betty’s leadership but are pleased to know that she will continue to play a role in the Center’s activities.
Volume 7 Issue 1 – Winter 2021
In this Issue: Board Chair Betty Douglass Retires; COVID-19 Vaccination Registration; 2020 Ride Statistics; Volunteer Recognition for Suellen Skocki; Bob Schulze is a Featured Volunteer; Updates to Board
In This Issue: COVID-19 Tips; Q3 2020 Ride Statistics; Volunteer Ron Krieger; Medicare Open Enrollment Information; and, Client Marjorie Long
During Virginia’s Early Voting period of September 18 – October 31, 2020, SCMAFC will accept requests from our current clients for a scheduled ride to the voting location closest to their home. See the announcement below!
September 8, 2020
MEMORANDUM
TO: SCMAFC Clients
FROM: SCMAFC Board of Directors
RE: Rides for Early Voting
This memo is to let you know about a new service that Shepherd’s Center McLean, Arlington, Falls Church (SCMAFC) will begin offering to our clients in time for the upcoming 2020 General Election.
Historically SCMAFC has not provided transportation to voting places, but the Coronavirus pandemic has prompted us to offer rides this year, specifically for In-person Early/Absentee voting. Concerns about the reliability of mail-in ballots have also guided our thinking. We are strictly supporting our clients’ wishes to participate as voters and, as such, this is to be viewed as a non-partisan measure.
Please note – Rides will not be provided on Election Day, November 3, 2020.
Prior to and during the Early Voting period of September 18 – October 31, 2020, we will accept ride requests from our current clients for a scheduled ride to the voting location closest to their home. This service is for the 2020 Election only and includes rides for clients who would like to go inside the polling location as well as for clients who prefer curbside voting. (Any voter age 65 or older or physically disabled may request a ballot outside the polling place. You can vote from your vehicle.)
Below is more detailed information for your jurisdiction’s Early Voting plan. Should you have questions, please call the SCMAFC ride request line, 703-506-2199, to leave a message, and someone will call you back.
If you need information about anything else related to the 2020 General Election, please reference the Summer 2020 SCMAFC Newsletter, which provides a very detailed overview.
Fairfax County Early Voting Dates & Hours
Voters must bring a valid Voter ID, which as of July 1, 2020, includes the Voter Information Notice (Voter Card) or a utility bill with the person’s name and registered address on it. Valid Photo IDs, such as a Virginia Driver’s License, a U.S. Passport, or Employment Badge are also accepted.
Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Rooms 2/3
September 18-October 13
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Please note, the Government Center will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of Columbus Day.
October 14-October 31
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday – 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
These satellite locations will open October 14-October 31
In this issue: 2020 Q2 Ride Statistics; Stew Lingley as Volunteer of the Year for 2019; Food Assistance Resources; Featured Clients; Board of Directors updates; 2019 Donor Lists; Special Election Information
Wearing face masks is one easy way we can help keep ourselves and those around us safe. Shepherd’s Center of McLean, Arlington, Falls Church has received several dozen beautiful cloth, washable masks to give to our clients and volunteers. Let us know if you would like some: contact@scmafc.org or 703-506-2199.
Many thanks to those who have provided the masks:
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way our Shepherd’s Center serves our clients. How?
We still drive clients to health-related appointments, though the cancelling of appointments by providers has reduced the number of requests. Many of our faithful volunteers are still willing to provide these critical rides, while following the CDC and county health department guidelines for staying safe.
Our Friendly Visitors are now calling rather than visiting, still keeping in touch with those who ask for periodic check-in phone calls. Let us know if you would like a call or would like to be a caller.
Those clients who rely on SCMAFC for their grocery shopping are being served by Board members and several volunteers who shop during early morning “senior” hours or go to food banks and deliver groceries to our clients.
We have had to suspend taking on new clients during the pandemic, because the home visits required for screening them are no longer possible. As soon as the stay-at-home restrictions are lifted, we will resume accepting new clients.
We continue to accept new volunteers and are providing training by Zoom. Many in our community have stepped forward to help and we are grateful for their willingness to join us.
Our community fundraising provided by local restaurants has had to be largely suspended, with the closing of many.
Board and committee meetings are now held online using Zoom. This technology has been a wonderful learning experience!
In this Issue: Updates on COVID-19 Policies; Q1 2020 Ride Statistics; Free Face Masks Information; Updates to the Board of Directors; Volunteers Recognized for Providing Grocery Stores Trips
March 13, 2020
ANNOUNCEMENT
TO: Our Volunteers and Clients
FROM: SCMAFC Board of Directors
RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Every day the news of the Coronavirus in our area changes. We want to reassure you that the SCMAFC leadership is carefully monitoring the situation and will let you know if our services must be changed in order to keep all of us healthy.
For now, we will continue providing transportation service to our clients. We will, however, suspend our friendly visiting service until further notice. Because of our 5-day scheduling policy our clients are rarely sick with acute illnesses. We are not operating in large groups but are providing one-on-one service. If you do not feel comfortable either providing rides or requesting rides, you may temporarily discontinue driving or riding.
We do ask that everyone follow any specific directions that you are given by your healthcare providers as well as the instructions provided by the Centers for Disease Control. Television and newspapers provide daily reminders of how to keep ourselves safe. In addition, detailed information from the CDC can be found online: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/. Current recommendations are as follows:
Please do NOT request or provide a ride if you have an acute illness. If you are ill with an acute disease and need to see a healthcare provider, ask a family member to transport you or call 911.
If you or anyone you are living with is diagnosed with Coronavirus, please report this to the SCMFC office: 703-506-2199.
We will get through this pandemic! In the meantime, let us continue to help each other stay safe.
Office: (703) 506-2199
1205 Dolley Madison Boulevard
McLean, VA 22101 – Map
Email: contact@scmafc.org
SCMAFC is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. EIN: 46-0997432.
Volunteer a Little Time for a Great Return!