Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, customerservice@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA – The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative’s community volunteer group, NOVEC HELPS, purchased, prepared and served dinner to homeless families at Fauquier Family Shelter Services in Warrenton, Va., on Saturday, Aug. 11. Along with food, HELPS took bushels of school supplies and materials for crafts for children at the shelter.
“We served dinner to about 40 residents,” says Linda Baughman, the NOVEC HELPS team captain. “We offered them homemade chili, hot dogs, vegetables, salads, chips, watermelon, and assorted desserts.”
Baughman and her 21-year-old son David, who live in Bealeton, worked in the kitchen with other HELPS volunteers while some volunteers worked with the children on craft projects.
“We've prepared dinner for people at the shelter before, so we knew what foods most people like,” explains Baughman. “The residents seemed very appreciative. They ate heartily.”
Baughman thanked HELPS member Wendy Henshaw for organizing materials for crafts and for purchasing school supplies. “Wendy and her daughter, Christy Duvall, helped the children craft beautiful butterflies and other creations out of colorful foam, pipe cleaners, and glitter. The parents really appreciated the school supplies. One mother told us she had been wondering how she was going to afford school supplies for her children. She was thrilled when she saw all the things we brought.”
Ann Phares, another HELPS volunteer, thanked the many NOVEC employees who contributed money for the food and supplies. She said, “NOVEC HELPS, with donations from NOVEC’s employees, provided 15 sets of book bags, complete with binders, multiple types of notebooks, pencils, Crayons, supply boxes, glue, and scissors. We thank them for their generous spirit!”
Other HELPS volunteers were: Angie Thomas and Lori Kalaydjian of Warrenton, Pat Wilcox of Marshall, Tracy and Linda Goodin of Casanova, Bernie Cleveland of Sumerduck, and Ginny Gilmore of Woodbridge.
NOVEC HELPS, Hands Engaged in Local Public Service, is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization of NOVEC employees who volunteer their time to do community service. The HELPS board of directors votes on projects and events to support, whether with financial donations or with feet on the ground. Learn more at www.novechelps.org.
