Author Archives: Jane Collins

Dining for Good with Dining for Women

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Jane Collins

According to MasterCard, last year I spent nearly $2500 on dining out. That’s just over $200 each month. What if I took one week’s cost of dining out and instead had my girlfriends over for dinner and we each donated … Continue reading →

Posted in International, People, Women, Women Empowerment | Leave a comment

Healing Foods at Smith Center

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Jane Collins

  I was on my third handful of peanut M&Ms, just enough to qualify as lunch, when Smith Center emailed me with the ideal volunteer project. Would I assist their guest chef, Elizabeth Petty during a cooking demonstration of raw, … Continue reading →

Posted in Disease and Illness, Environment, Hunger | Leave a comment

Soaring with Luke’s Wings

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Jane Collins

  The thought of asking anyone for money–aside from my parents when I was 11 years old–has always terrified me. What better way to address that fear head-on than to help with the Luke’s Wings Second Annual Homecoming Gala on, … Continue reading →

Posted in Donating, Military, Military and Veterans, People | Leave a comment

Welcome to the Catalogue for Philanthropy’s Class of 2012!

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Jane Collins

Hors d’oeuvre, wine and black-and-white clad waiters circulating among elegant guests are standard for most VIP receptions. Leave it to the Catalogue for Philanthropy to include inner city underserved boys, standing proudly and nervously next to their Life Pieces to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts & Culture, Children, Donating, The Arts | Leave a comment

Give to the Max!

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Jane Collins

  It’s starting already. My Facebook page, Twitter feeds and email in-boxes are filling up with facts, countdowns and requests for Wednesday’s Give to the Max Day-and I can’t wait! Click here to read the rest of the story.

Posted in Donating, In the Neighborhood | Leave a comment

A Wider Circle: Circle of Compassion

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Jane Collins

Deputy director Dr. Anne Thompson’s favorite part about working for A Wider Circle is when she can’t distinguish the clients from the volunteers from the staff. That pretty much sums up the inclusive, family atmosphere of A Wider Circle. Click … Continue reading →

Posted in Homelessness, In the Neighborhood | Leave a comment

Go Big or Go Home!

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Jane Collins

  Most college students go home during their short fall break, but not the Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi) business fraternity members from the University of Toledo. Thirty-nine of them, nearly two thirds of the entire fraternity, had signed up for … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Computers, Education, Job Preparation, Life Skills, People | Leave a comment

MAESSR – To the Rescue!

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Jane Collins

MAESSR rescues five or six English Springer Spaniels each week. Sandye Blalock’s ten-year-old Toyota Forerunner doubles as a dog limo. Tricked out with treats, toys, waste bags and a blanket, collar and leash, it was the perfect car to help … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Animals | Leave a comment

On Stage with MetroStage

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Jane Collins

Natascia Diaz plays the desperate Denise Savage in MetroStage’s “Savage in Limbo” You’d never guess from the outside that this gigantic, corrugated box of a building housed MetroStage, a vibrant community theater and the oldest professional theatre in Northern Virginia. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts & Culture, In the Neighborhood, The Arts | Leave a comment

The Women’s Collective

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Jane Collins

Robin was lovely, with black hair, ebony skin and fingernails that alternated between purple and leopard print. She broke away from her two friends when she saw our white The Women’s Collective van parked on the corner of H and 8th … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, In the Neighborhood, Other, People, Women | Leave a comment

Say “Cheese” with FACETS

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Jane Collins

Brooke Keplinger, Maura Williams, Logan Alley at the FACETS’ Opening Doors Benefit Breakfast in May, 2011 Monique loves her job as a sales clerk at a shoe store in one of the area’s most upscale outdoor malls. She rarely smiles … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Homelessness, In the Neighborhood | Leave a comment

Advocates for Good

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Jane Collins

SCAN Executive Director Sonia Quinonez, Jose Quinonez, Joyce Bliss, board member Jeff Bliss at the 2010 Toast to Hopes event.   Linda Franz was at a crossroads. Her daughter had graduated from college and her son was about to start. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Children, Family, In the Neighborhood, Kids | 1 Comment

Lorton Community Action Center

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Jane Collins

Some nonprofit projects are more complicated than others, yet even the simplest among them require the cooperation and teamwork of dozens of people. Take, for example, backpack assembly, a project of the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) and several other … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Donating, In the Neighborhood, Kids | Leave a comment

Get Out and Give Back: Down on the Farm with the Accokeek Foundation

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Jane Collins

Dr. Lisa Hayes, incoming President/CEO of the Accokeek Foundation; Alan McCurry, incoming Board chair, Gail McCurry, Wilton C. Corkern, President, Accokeek Foundation (retiring Sept 30) Polly Festa, the livestock manager of the Accokeek Foundation, treats the heritage cows, horses, pigs … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Environment | Leave a comment

What will you do on 9/11?

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Jane Collins

Ten years ago I was a lieutenant colonel with the Air Force Reserve and had just completed ten months of military graduate school at the Air Force’s Air War College (AWC). Our class of 265 senior officers from all branches … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Kids, Military, Military and Veterans, People | Leave a comment