by Sonya Farrell, Brambleton Community Association’s Communications Coordinator
A few weeks ago, I was checking my email when I came across a friendly message from a woman named Betsy Johnson. She wanted to know how she might get a quick blurb in the Friday Flash about an organization that does some pretty great things for some very deserving folks in Loudoun County. I’ve been familiar with this organization for a few years now, and I thought they could probably use more than just a quick shout-out on a busy Friday afternoon. It’s my honor to introduce you to the Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers.
Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers (LVC) is a nonprofit organization working to help the frail, elderly, and adults with disabilities in Loudoun County remain living as independently as possible. LVC’s volunteers off er a variety of free services, including medical and non-medical transportation, shopping, food delivery from the food pantry, and chores through their Chore Corps program.
However, because LVC’s volunteers are only able to provide non-professional household assistance, LVC reg-ularly reaches out to local businesses to find help for care receivers in need. “It is obvious to most people to consider whether an elderly person or adult with disabilities has enough to eat, or has adequate medical support; however we forget that these people will also need occasional plumbing, electrical, and structural repairs in order to maintain living independently. We have been trying to address this need,” said Johnson.
Recently, Luck Stone Company of Leesburg donated their time and materials to provide a new driveway to one of LVC’s care receivers, Linda. Linda’s driveway had essentially become a mud slide, dangerous for her as well as for volunteers and County workers trying to assist her. One of LVC’s volunteers contacted several local businesses to see if anyone would be willing to donate time and resources to a client in need. With Luck Stone’s help, Linda can now safely access her driveway, and she can receive the assistance she needs.
Linda is just one of LVC’s many care recipients. In 2015, LVC’s 175 volunteers assisted 264 Loudoun County elderly and adults with disabilities by driving over 74,000 miles and giving about 6,500 hours of their time. 2016 is LVC’s 21st year serving Loudoun County.
LVC is always looking for more volunteers! There are no minimum volunteer hours required, and there are weekday and weekend opportunities available. If you are interested in helping, or if you are a community member who is elderly or an adult with disabilities and need our assistance, please contact Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers at 703-779-8617. You can also visit their website at www.lvcaregivers.org for more information on ways to get involved.
