February 2024
New Faces, Special Requests, and Exciting Upcoming Events
This month has been filled with exciting developments as we welcomed a new team member, expanding our capacity to make a positive impact. The unwavering support from our community for special requests has been nothing short of heartwarming, with generous donations pouring in to fulfill unique needs. As we navigate through February's successes, we're eagerly looking ahead to upcoming events that promise to be just as remarkable. The anticipation builds for Give Choose, a Wendy's fundraiser, and our upcoming event, Loudoun Kidz Fest. Read ahead for more info!
New Team Member
We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the UpsideDown Moments team, Holly Angle, joining us as the Loudoun County School Advocate. Holly brings a wealth of experience and dedication to our mission, having spent her career serving children and youth in various capacities, including reunification, foster care, and child protective services. Currently working in LCPS with students experiencing homelessness, Holly is passionately committed to ensuring every child has equal opportunities for success, regardless of their circumstances. With a profound belief in giving students a voice in decisions that impact their lives, Holly is a valuable advocate for our community. In her free time, she pursues continuous education at Shenandoah University, enjoys staying active, and cherishes moments with family and friends. Join us in extending a warm welcome to Holly as we work together to make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve!
We're thrilled to share our journey and the incredible impact we've made together in 2023 through our Annual Impact Report.
Your support has been instrumental in helping UpsideDown Moments serve local children in foster care, at-risk youth, and young adults who have aged out of foster care. Dive into the details of the lives touched and positive changes sparked by your generosity.
Check out the full report on our website https://www.upsidedownmoments.org/annual-impact-report and join us in celebrating the collective efforts that have made a lasting impact. Thank you for being a vital part of the UpsideDown Moments story!
Together, we're making a difference!
The spirit of community generosity is truly shining as we witness an outpouring of support for special requests from our UpsideDown Moments family. In recent weeks, our incredible community has come together to fulfill unique needs, ranging from a much-needed vacuum cleaner to play yards, indoor playsets, formula, a bicycle, a sewing machine, and so much more. It's heartening to witness the collective effort to meet these diverse requests, showcasing the power of compassion and solidarity within our community. Each donated item represents a gesture of kindness, making a significant impact on the lives of those we serve. We're immensely grateful for the generosity and caring spirit that continues to define the UpsideDown Moments family.
Huge shout out to Wendy Owens, Parvenu Harja, Irbrahim, Alex Amarantidou Rivera, Jessica Kidder, Shirley, Angie White, Samantah Marie, Francine Scalzo, Rick Borjes, Bettina Borjes, Greatchen Kirkland, Sonia Ballinger, Shirley Chim-Wight, and Michele Savage and other for your donations! We had an emergency request for essential items for an 18 month old girl and our community responded with all the items needed and more! Pictured are just some of the many items provided. The foster mom was incredibly grateful and said "Feeling so supported by this community." This is what we're here for!
Give Choose- A day of Community Giving
On March 19th, we're participating in Give Choose, a special event dedicated to community giving. It's a chance for us to come together and make a real difference in the lives of those facing unexpected challenges.
How can you join the movement? It's simple! Mark your calendar and on March 19th, head over to our profile and check out the donation link. Every contribution, big or small, directly supports UpsideDown Moments and helps us continue our mission of providing assistance, resources, and support to local children and young adults who need it most.
Let's make Give Choose a day to remember! Your support fuels our efforts, and together, we can create positive UpsideDown Moments for everyone in our community.
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Loudoun Kidz Fest: A Celebration for Kids, A Benefit for a Cause!Â
Join us for a day of pure joy and community spirit at Loudoun Kidz Fest! 🎈🎶
Event Highlights:
Music Performances by Bach to Rock: Get ready to groove to the beats of talented young musicians from Bach to Rock, adding a melodic touch to the festivities.
Games, Face Painting, and Crafts: Let the kids immerse themselves in a world of fun with exciting games, face painting, and creative crafts that spark their imagination.
Kids Prizes: Little ones, get ready to be delighted! We've got fantastic prizes waiting for you to win.
Bake Sale: Treat your taste buds to delectable delights at our bake sale. Every purchase contributes to a great cause!
Why Attend?Loudoun Kidz Fest isn't just about the festivities; it's a community coming together to celebrate childhood and support Loudoun's foster kids and at-risk youth through UpsideDown Moments. Your presence makes a difference!
Grab your tickets, bring your family and friends, and let's create unforgettable moments at Loudoun Kidz Fest! Tickets must be pre-purchased online and are free with a suggested donation of $10 per ticket.
Learn about our newest initiative- "Vehicles Empowering Hope"
You can support our "Vehicles Empowering Hope" program through a variety of ways. We are currently seeking repair shops and towing companies interested in parterning. Additionally, we are seeking driving schools or other qualified individuals to assist former foster youth in acquiring their driver's liscense. If interested please fill out the form via the button below and indicate how you are interested in helping. Additionally, donations are always welcome in order to cover the costs of the program.
Thank you to those that have already committed to volunteering at our Loudoun Kidz Fest! We are still in need to volunteers with special skills. We would love to have a magician or other entertainer, a "princess", a "superhero", a few more face painters, and more. High schoolers welcome! If you or someone you know would be interested in this opportunity please see the SignUp Genius.
A Yummy Way to Contribute to UpsideDown Moments!
On April 2nd when you mention UpsideDown Moments to the Wendy's in Sterling , 20% will be donated to our organization! Please RSVP and share with others so we can raise funds to support our mission!
Seasonal Blessings Clothing Event
We have partnered with Grace Ministries at Floris United Methodist Church to provide clothing for parents and children in-need with two weeks of seasonably appropriate clothing. Registeration is required and pick up is held on May 4th from 8AM-10AM. To register simply fill out the short form to provide gender and clothing size needed. Please feel free to share this information with those in your community.
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