Lorton Community Action Center Celebrates Its Volunteers

There is a common expression that “volunteers are the life blood of a nonprofit organization.” This phrase certainly rings true for the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC), a human services nonprofit providing emergency food and financial assistance along with self sufficiency programs to thousands of individuals in southeast Fairfax County, Virginia. LCAC would not be able to offer the services that it does without the amazing dedication and passion of hundreds of volunteers.

As part of National Volunteer Week (April 15 – 21), LCAC hosted, with the generous help of the Mason Neck Lion’s Club, a “Thank you Open House” for LCAC volunteers on Wednesday, April 18. The Mason Neck Lion’s Club generously provided and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and LCAC Board members and staff prepared side dishes and desserts for the gathering. Since many volunteers work on a specific day of the week, they often do not get the chance to meet other individuals who volunteer in the same programmatic area much less other areas within the organization. In addition to saying “Thank You,” the Open House also provided a way for volunteers to socialize with volunteers across all areas of LCAC.

In FY 2011 (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011), individuals and groups donated 11,195 hours of their time which represents a value of $234,937! There are a myriad of programmatic areas where people typically volunteer at LCAC, including the food program, thrift store, administrative, tutoring, special events, holiday food distribution, back-to-school, furniture pick-up and food collection. LCAC has over 500 active volunteers.

To find out more about LCAC and volunteer opportunities, visit their website at www.lortonaction.org or call 703-339-5161.