October 2025 UpsideDown Moments Newsletter
- heavenpnd40
- Nov 1
- 6 min read
Happy October! Welcome back to a new month with UpsideDown Moments. This season has been buzzing with celebrations, community moments, and acts of kindness. From special themed gatherings to heartwarming ways we've supported individuals and families. There's plenty to catch up on, and even more exciting events and opportunities coming up. Keep reading to see how you can be part of the joy this season!
Seasonal Blessings: Wrapping Our Community in Warmth
Earlier this month, we hosted our biannual Seasonal Blessings Event. This experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and volunteers, we were able to serve 64 families and 192 children, providing nearly 2,500 articles of clothing to help them stay warm and comfortable this season. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to YMSL Ashburn and Fox Mill for dedicating their time and energy to make this event a success! We would also like to thank Floris United Methodist Church for partnering with us at their GRACE Ministries and providing food to families in conjunction with our clothing donation. We are looking forward to our next Seasonal Blessings event in April, as we continue working together to uplift and support our community.
UpsideDown Moments has also partnered with Evergreen United Methodist Church, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Vine and Branches Lutheran Church, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We would love to welcome other churches and community organizations to partner with us for our monthly clothing drives and help make a lasting impact together.
More Than a Car: A Journey of Hope Begins
This month, through our Vehicles Empowering Hope program, Keith Couch received a donated car that has truly transformed his life. For him, this gift means more than reliable transportation. It represents freedom, stability, and the chance to move forward.
Before receiving the vehicle, getting to and from work was a daily struggle, often leaving him dependent on others or public transit that couldn't always align with his schedule. Now, with keys in his hand, Keith is able to commute independently, maintain steady employment, and take charge of his future with renewed confidence. We couldn't be more grateful to the generous donors and community partners who make stories like his possible. Through Vehicles Empowering Hope, we're not just providing cars, we're helping individuals rebuild their independence, one journey at a time.
If you or anyone you know has a vehicle to donate, we invite you to help us keep hope moving forward. Reliable transportation can open the door to new opportunities and brighter futures for those in need.
A Special Thanks to... You've Got Maids
We are grateful to You've Got Maids for expressing interest in UpsideDown Moments and featuring our organization through an interview with our CEO Becky Saunders. Opportunities such as this help to share our mission and highlight the impact being made within our community! Click the link below to watch the full interview and learn more about our story!
Team Member of the Month: Adrianna Boyer
Adrianna Boyer is a dedicated advocate, community leader, and valued member of the UpsideDown Moments team. She serves on the organization's Board of Directors as both the Advocacy Coordinator and Program Manager for Vehicles Empowering Hope (VEH), a program that helps young adults access reliable transportation to build stability and independence.
Outside of her volunteer work, Adrianna is a Sales Administrator for a government IT contractor, where she applies her strong organizational and client service skills to support complex projects. She also lends her voice and lived experience as a panelist for foster parent training sessions, helping new foster families better understand the needs and perspectives of youth in care.
Having spent much of her childhood in the foster care system from ages 12-21, Adrianna channels her journey into purpose-driven work. She is an inspiration to others through her resilience, compassion, and commitment to creating pathways of hope for youth and families.
Volunteer of the Month: Bonnie Vancheri
Join us in celebrating Bonnie Vancheri, our volunteer of the month! She's been a dedicated volunteer throughout the year, always eager to learn and lend a helping hand. At our recent Foster the Future Soirée, Bonnie showcased her strong communication skills and helped ensure a smooth check-in and check-out process. We're so grateful for her enthusiasm, kindness, and commitment to making every event shine!
Recap: A Remarkable Evening of Giving and Gratitude - Foster the Future Soirée
Our Foster the Future Soirée was an incredible evening of generosity, community, and purpose! Thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, sponsors, and silent auction bidders, we are thrilled to share that we raised nearly $30,000 to continue empowering youth and families through our mission.
We are deeply grateful to all who joined us and contributed to making the evening truly unforgettable. A special thank-you goes to our dedicated volunteers who assisted with check-in and check-out, ensuring a seamless experience for our guests.
We would like to thank TwinLeaf Catering for opening their beautiful space to us and the talented caterers who provided such an exceptional dining experience. We would also like to extend a thank you to Margaret and Juliana Meiers for their hard work in making the Foster the Future Soirée a success. A special thank you to Susan Dunk for serving as our MC at our event. Her warmth, energy, and engaging presence helped bring the evening to life and kept everything running smoothly. We're so grateful for her time and talent! And last but not least, an applause to the Blue Dot Jazz Troupe for setting the perfect tone at the soirée. Their smooth, vibrant sound created an unforgettable atmosphere and added a touch of elegance to the evening. Together, we celebrated hope, connection, and the power of community. We couldn't have done it without you!
We would like to thank Mary Lanaghan for serving as our photographer at the Foster the Future Soirée. Mary beautifully captured the magic of the evening, from the joyful smiles to the meaningful connections shared throughout the night. Her talent and eye for detail helped preserve memories we'll cherish for years to come.
October Impact: A Month of Giving and Growth
October was an incredible month of impact and connections at UpsideDown Moments! Together, we continue to uplift our community through acts of kindness, compassion, and service.
21 volunteers joined our mission, and we have 107 hours of volunteer service documented just this month alone!
Through Seasonal Blessings, we supported numerous children and families, helping them prepare for the colder months ahead.
We were able to fulfill the birthday wishes for 2 individuals this month!
With the help of our Vehicles Empowering Hope, we provided 2 gas cards to participants in need of transportation assistance.
We also prepared three FirstNight bags for children entering foster care and provided 20 warm winter coats to kids who needed them the most.
Give, Gather, and Grow: Exciting Upcoming Events to End the Year with Purpose!
Saturday, November 15th | 10:00 AM-2:00 PM - Community on Purpose Event
UpsideDown Moments is honored to participate in the upcoming Community on Purpose event at Claude Moore Recreation and Community Center. This is a meaningful gathering that celebrates Loudoun County's spirit of service and connection.
This event brings together local nonprofits, service providers, and small businesses dedicated to strengthening our community. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore valuable resources, learn about volunteer opportunities, support local organizations, and engage with groups to make a lasting impact in the region.
We invite you to visit the UpsideDown Moments table to learn more about our mission and discover how, together, we can continue to uplift and empower individuals and families within our community.
Stocking Stuffer Drive at our Booth!
We'll also be hosting a Stocking Stuffer Drive during the event! Bring small items such as snacks, gift cards, fidget toys, or winter essentials to help us fill stockings for local youth and families in need this holiday season.
Learn more and join us for the inspiring day of connection and purpose!
Saturday, December 6th | 1:30 PM-3:30 PM - Super Saturday Celebration
Our Super Saturday Celebration earlier this month was a huge success! We made memories that will last a lifetime. Now, we're gearing up for another special event, and we are looking for enthusiastic teen volunteers to help us host this winter-themed party to bring joy and laughter to kids in need of a little extra cheer this season. Volunteers will assist with arts and crafts, games, and holiday activities, helping create a magical day filled with fun and kindness.
Weekdays Busy? Weekends Work Too! Other Volunteer Opportunities:
If weekdays don't work for your schedule, we also have weekend volunteer opportunities. Join us in our clothing donation program, helping to collect and transport, sort, and organize donations for families in need. Your time on the weekends makes a lasting impact on our community all year long. Join us and be part of something heartwarming this season!
Holiday Gift Collection: Spread Happiness This Winter Season
Help us make the holidays brighter for families in need! Our holiday gift collection is underway, and we're gathering thoughtful gifts to share with children and families throughout the community.
You can make a difference right from home by shopping through our Amazon Holiday Wish List. Every purchase helps bring a smile, a moment of joy, and a little extra warmth to someone's winter.
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