November 2025 UpsideDown Moments Newsletter
- heavenpnd40
- Dec 10, 2025
- 6 min read
As we welcome a new month, we're filled with gratitude for the continued support that fuels UpsideDown Moments. November is a time to reflect on community and thankfulness, and we are truly thankful for each of you who work alongside us!
Gratitude for the Hands That Power Our Mission
We are deeply grateful to YMSL Fox Mill for choosing to support UpsideDown Moments through a clothing drive organized entirely by them. Out of the kindness of their hearts, their volunteers collected, sorted, and delivered 70 bags of clothing to benefit children and families we serve. Their generosity and initiative remind us of the power of community-led acts of kindness.
Headquarters Makeover
We are extending our sincere thanks to YMSL Ashburn for dedicating their time and energy to us this month. Their volunteers coordinated and completed two afternoons of six shifts to reorganize our headquarters, ensuring our space is well-structured and ready to store clothing and essential items we provide to youth and families. We are truly grateful for their commitment and the care they bring to our mission.
Sharing Holiday Joy: A Successful Christmas Gift Drive
This season, your generosity made a real difference. With your support, we delivered Christmas gifts to 46 children in foster care, reminding them that they are seen, valued, and cared for.
Community on Purpose: A Day of Connection and Giving Back
On November 15th, UpsideDown Moments participated in the Community on Purpose Event, a wonderful opportunity for neighbors to come together, discover local organizations and nonprofits, and learn about the many ways they can make an impact. We also held a hygiene drive, and thanks to the generous community members (including those pictured), we received multiple bags filled with essential items for youth in foster care and at-risk families. The event drew significant interest and new volunteers, and we are grateful to everyone who stopped by, donated, asked questions, and shared our mission to uplift youth across our community.
A Warm Welcome to Our New Board Member
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to one of our newest board members, Ande Burke. We are grateful for her commitment to UpsideDown Moments and excited for the insight, leadership, and passion she will bring to our mission. We look forward to the impact we will make together in the months ahead.
Ande Burke, MPA - Board Member, UpsideDown Moments
With over 20 years of experience in healthcare marketing, Ande currently serves as the Director of Marketing for Loudoun Medical Group (LMG), a physician-owned, multi-specialty group based in Leesburg, VA. In this role, she leads strategic initiatives that help independent physician practices reduce healthcare costs and improve patient access across Northern Virginia. She brings a strong academic foundation with a Master's degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Business. Her civic involvement includes serving on the Board of Adjustment in Flagstaff, AZ, completing the Flinn Brown Civic Leadership Academy, and serving on an HOA board.
She is a dedicated advocate for community engagement and social innovation. Today, she remains actively involved in the community through the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce and the Business Women of Loudoun subcommittee. She is committed to empowering individuals and fostering resilience in communities. Her passion for creating positive change is reflected in her work with various organizations focused on mental health, youth development, and community outreach. Ande plans to leverage her expertise to enhance UpsideDown Moments' mission of supporting individuals through transformative experiences and fostering a culture of support and understanding. She is excited to work alongside fellow board members and the community to inspire hope and growth.
In her free time, Ande enjoys volunteering, kayaking, and exploring new hiking trails!
Volunteer of the Month: Virginia Kennedy
Virginia has been an incredible asset to UpsideDown Moments, consistently stepping up with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to make a difference. Whether she is helping at events, sorting donations, or filling in wherever needed, Virginia brings positivity, reliability, and a heart for service to every role she takes on.
Her eagerness to sign up for multiple events and her dedication to our mission have not gone unnoticed. Thank you, Virginia, for your commitment, kindness,and joyful energy you bring to our team!
📊 November 2025 Impact Report
🧍 Individuals / Families Assisted
109 total assists in November
📦 Item & Support Breakdown
👕 Clothing Bags
46 clothing assists
Various sizes (Infant → Adult)
Included coats, winter clothes, underwear, socks, blankets, hygiene items, stuffed animals, luggage, etc.
🧼 Hygiene Support
18 hygiene bags
🍼 Baby Items
3 baby-related assists
Includes diapers, infant clothing, and baby gear requests through family liaisons.
🎂 Birthday Support
3 birthday assists
Birthday cakes, gifts for foster youth, and one younger child.
👟 Shoes
12 pairs of shoes
🧥 Coats
20 coat provided
🎒 Backpacks
12 backpack provided
🎁 Holiday & Special Support
48 Christmas gift assists
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Donors, Churches, & Community Partners
As we look back on this year, we are filled with deep gratitude for every individual, family, church, business, and community group that has poured generosity into UpsideDown Moments. Your donation of clothing, essential items, funding, and time has strengthened our mission and allowed us to continue serving current and former foster youth, as well as at-risk youth in the area.
Exciting Opportunities Ahead
Lend a Hand, Make Holiday Brighter! - Saturday, December 13th
Our Free Shop at Cedar Lane Elementary is coming up on December 13th, serving children in partnership with family liaisons, and we need your helping hands to make it a success! Volunteers are needed for event setup, assisting families as they shop for their children, and packing up at the end of the event. Every hour you give helps a family feel seen, supported, and celebrated this season.
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Hearts of Hope Bingo Bash - Sunday, February 22nd, 2026
Bingo, Prizes, and Purpose! Mark your calendar for the Hearts of Hope Bingo Bash on February 22nd, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 PM at the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Hall. We're bringing together fun, friendly competition, and meaningful impact. Every bingo round directly supports UpsideDown Moments and our mission to provide opportunities, support, and hope for foster youth, aged-out young adults, and at-risk youth throughout Northern Virginia.
Seasonal Blessings - Saturday, April 4th, 2026
Our Seasonal Blessings event returns next spring, providing a free shop experience for children in foster care and at-risk families. In partnership with Floris UMC's Grace Ministries, this program has allowed us to equip hundreds of children with seasonal clothing and essential items each year.
To make this event possible, we'll need a strong team of volunteers to help pack, sort, and organize clothing donations in the weeks leading up to the big day! We will also need volunteers on the day of. Your time and helping hands ensure that every child who attends feels supported, seen, and cared for. More details will be shared soon. We would love to have you join us in creating a meaningful and joy-filled shopping experience for our youth!
Loudoun KidzFest - Saturday, April 18th, 2026
Back in April, we participated in Loudoun KidzFest, a joyful afternoon filled with live music from Bach to Rock, creative crafts, face painting, games, prizes, and a crowd-favorite bake sale, all supporting an incredible cause.
Because of the enthusiasm and impact from this year's event, we're excited to share that Loudoun KidzFest will return in April 2026. Whether you're interested in volunteering to lend a helping hand or are a community member simply looking for a meaningful, family-friendly day out, we hope you will join us!
Important Announcement:
For December, we will pause clothing donations. We appreciate all the donations we have received this year!
The Power of Logged Hours: Your Impact Matters More Than You Know
Every hour you volunteer is more than just time given; it's a building block that strengthens our mission. When volunteers log their hours, it provides essential data that allows UpsideDown Moments to secure grant funding, expand our programs, and continue to support current and former foster youth, as well as at-risk youth across our community. Every hour is equivalent to $34.79
We total all volunteer hours at the end of the year, and having accurate, complete logs is important. These totals help demonstrate our impact on funders and ensure we can continue offering meaningful support to the youth we serve.
Your logged hours directly translate into resources, opportunities, and life-changing support for the young people we serve. Every volunteer must take a moment to record their time, because behind every hour is hope, and behind every volunteer is a future made brighter!
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