I have always felt compelled to give to those who have not been as fortunate as I have in this life. Tis the season to be a giver and on this Giving Tuesday I compiled a list of my favorite local organizations that you may want to donate to!
Renewing Homes of Greater Augusta is one of the best local organizations and I am honored to serve on their Board. They provide critical home repairs to those who are financially disadvantaged, elderly, and/ or disabled. They are an incredible group, powered exclusively through volunteer labor and do the most incredible work on a shoestring of a budget. This year alone they have worked on 76 different homes in the Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta communities.
Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity offers affordable homes for qualified buyers in the Rockbridge Area. One of my favorite days is the Women Build Day-- there I have helped lay foundation (which seems an appropriate metaphor for the work they do), laid tile (including learning how to use a wet saw), and assisted in framing. The homes are built with the labor of the future homeowner and volunteers.
For unhoused individuals, the Valley Mission has served as a beacon of hope for decades, providing food and shelter to those who have no place to go. Their kitchen serves not only those staying at the Mission, but also offers community meals. I can say that there is no bigger honor than serving from that kitchen. It has made me a brighter person for days afterwards. The Mission houses 130 individuals at any given time and is one of the only shelters in the area that provides housing for families.
Project Horizon in Lexington and New Directions in Staunton both offer shelter, healing, and violence prevention from domestic assault situations. I have supported both of these organizations for over 20 years and never imagined that I would be survivor of domestic abuse myself. Both of these organizations offer a safe haven for those who need a place of refuge.
Magnolia Rose provides housing for survivors of sex trafficking in the Shenandoah Valley. While we may feel very isolated from these incidents and think they only happen in more metropolitan areas, that is sadly not the case. This group gets women out of these situations and provides housing and counseling until they are safe and stable.
For those who need assistance with food and nutrition, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is an incredible organization that last year alone provided over 27 million meals to local individuals who needed food assistance. Their service area encompasses over a third of the state of Virginia. This impact to our community is incredible!
Martha's Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals to homebound folks in the Staunton area and provides not only lunch, but company to those who may need companionship as much as they need dinner.
For those who may need a hot meal, but don't need it delivered, The Community Table provides free meals in Lexington and Fairfield through a restaurant style experience.
For those who love animals, Hoofbeats in Lexington is such a peaceful place to volunteer and Ride with Pride in Augusta provides a similar equine- assisted therapeutic experience. The limited time I spent at Hoofbeats this spring warmed my heart so much! It is an amazing place and the work they do with children is incredible.
All of these are MB vetted spots! I have spent time volunteering or financially contributed to almost every organization on here and I can say without question that there is no better investment in assisting those in need in our community.
