Helping from Home

There are many opportunites to contribute your time and charitable donations in and around Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC Metro Area. Here are some of those that are most important to me, along with links to directories to discover other organizations in the area.

Team Rubicon: Serving communities by mobilizing veterans to continue their service, leveraging their skills and experience to help people prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises. See video.

Team Red, White & Blue: Enriching the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. See video.

GI Film Festival: Creating a true community where passionate filmmakers, our veterans and those who support them can gather for a few magical days to educate, heal and preserve the legacies of our veterans. See video.

Ladies America: A national network of professional women, connecting to advance one another personally and professionally, following the motto, “Women Helping Women.” See video.

DC Humane Rescue Alliance: A tenacious advocate for animals, building an alliance that can tackle the systemic challenges facing animals in our region and beyond, with the goal of saving more lives. See video.

World T.E.A.M: Raising Funds for our Wounded Veterans through Biking
by Marlene Hall 
February 10, 2019
World T.E.A.M.’s Face of America Inspires
From Marlene: A couple of years ago I partook in this race. I raised a lot of money. I didn't train and had the stomach flu two days prior to the race. I'm so glad I did it. We biked from Pentagon City to Gettysburg in 2 days. It was inspiring and a sense of accomplishment to bike this far with all these people who didn't let their injuries stop them from living a full life.
Press Release: Arlington’s Crystal City neighborhood will host the start of national non-profit World T.E.A.M. Sports’ annual Face of America cycling challenge to Gettysburg this May 4. The two-day ride is anticipated to include nearly 600 adaptive and able-bodied athletes from across North America and Europe, and honors adaptive military veterans who were disabled in their service.
Athletes are scheduled to depart the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport located at 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway at about 7:15 a.m. Saturday. Riders will be headed north on Crystal Drive for Joint Base Meyer and the Arlington National Cemetery. The public is invited to cheer on the athletes as they depart.
First hosted as a cross-country bicycle ride in 2000, with athletes from both coasts meeting beneath the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Face of America began its current route in 2006. Each year, adaptive military veterans who live with paralysis, amputations, Post Traumatic Stress, blindness, and Traumatic Brain Injuries ride alongside able-bodied athletes on a 112-mile route to the historic Civil War battlefields of Gettysburg. Nearly 100 adaptive veterans are expected to join the 2019 ride.
Presented by American Portfolios Financial Services, the program encourages interaction and cooperation between diverse groups of athletes. Participating riders include military veterans, corporate executives and staff members, groups of friends and nonprofit organizations. Athletes range in age from late teens and early 20s through those in their 60s and early 70s. Through riding together, the athletes learn more about the great diversity of America and build friendships that last long after the ride concludes.
Col. Gregory Gadson, a Chesapeake, Virginia native, served more than 26 years in the United States Army. A graduate of the Military Academy at West Point, Col. Gadson was a promising football player and a co-captain of the Army football team. In May 2007, while serving in Iraq, an Improvised Explosive Device attack left him without each leg above the knees. He also lost complete use of his right arm and hand.
It was through his time in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center that he learned about Face of America. At the encouragement of others, Col. Gadson included the 2009 ride in his rehabilitation. Inspired by his personal experience, he returns to the program regularly, helping inspire and motivate other veterans. In 2019, he is serving as an official co-chair of the program in honor of his exceptional dedication.
Registration for Face of America is still open for those who are interested in riding in one of America’s most inspiring non-competitive cycling challenges. Proceeds from the program cover expenses, and help support other inclusive sporting programs from World T.E.A.M. nationally.
World T.E.A.M.’s Face of America is annually supported through generous sponsorship and partnerships. Presented by American Portfolios Financial Services, additional partners include American Airlines, Brioni, Booz Allen Hamilton, Cannondale, Capital One, Dell EMC, Devens Recycling Center, Flying Dog Brewery, ForeScout, KT Tape, Mt. Airy Bicycle Company, Navy Federal Credit Union, Penske Truck Rental, Pershing LLC, Sila Solutions Group, and SUBWAY of the Walter Reed National Military Center.
About World T.E.A.M.
World T.E.A.M.brings adaptive and able-bodied athletes together by empowering, enabling and engaging individuals through inclusive athletic programs.For more than a quarter century, our organization has used athletics to challenge men, women and children with disabilities to accomplish goals they never thought possible. In all our programs – whether mountain climbing, biking, white water rafting or many other sports – we include both adaptive and able-bodied participants. 
Empower your life by joining World TEAM's inclusive Face of America cycling challenge to Gettysburg this May 3-5. Pedal alongside exceptional military veterans in our supportive program for adaptive and able-bodied athletes: https://t.co/YDtGLoqqEH

Non-Profit Organization Directories

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