via GoFundMe
“Dear PoPville,
I want as many people as possible to see Curtis’s story. Curtis is a graduate of School Without Walls who has one semester left of college at UMD. Unfortunately, he can’t register for classes until he clears this balance. I’m really hoping to help him raise money.”
“Dear PoPville,
I am a independent DMV hairstylist, making home visits since 2016, whose business was literally crushed during COVID. I am going to be building from the ground up again this year. I currently do not have my own vehicle, needed to safely get to and from work. I am diabetic and have asthma, have 2 young ones with asthma and have a elderly parent with cardiac complications on dialysis, who I only get to see 1x per week, but still need to protect by keeping myself away from exposure.
Here is a link to my GoFundMe for you to read more.”
“Dear PoPville,
Since the attack at the Capitol Building, 5 local Black-owned restaurants have been working tirelessly to provide meals for our unhoused neighbors throughout DC. In partnership with local grassroots mutual aid group @fueltheppl, Open Crumb, Taste of Jamaica, Heat da Spot Cafe, Chez Dior and Po Boy Jim have made over 1,100 meals for the community to support unhoused DC residents that have been impacted and/or displaced by the current state of emergency in DC. (more…)
via GoFundMe
“Dear PoPville,
Reaching out for some assistance from the wider community in helping a family in my neighborhood who lost their home recently due to a house fire.
From the GoFundMe:
“On Monday night, January 4, a longtime Takoma DC family’s home was destroyed by fire. The house was home to three generations, with kids in the local DC Public Schools, and loving care provided by their grandmother. They lost all their personal belongings, and even gifts from Christmas. They are staying with relatives in the area until more resources are available. (more…)
via GoFundMe
“Dear PoPville,
This family is truly in need of a Christmas miracle. Fundraiser by Bianca G. Moreno-Martinez: My kitchen is falling apart! Help! They’re dealing with a special needs boy, unemployment, the father’s stroke, mother’s injury, and a house fire that damaged their kitchen, and all survived Covid this year. Bianca, who is just 23, has been working hard to advocate for her family on Nextdoor and is getting a little help (with issues not even listed on the GoFundMe), but could really use money for desperately-needed house repairs and to catch up on their mortgage and utilities.”
Photo by Vincent
Looking to donate most of my $600 stimulus check. DC friends — any tips on which local orgs need the most help right now? @PoPville?
— Emily C. Herman (@emilycherman) December 22, 2020
Thanks to Emily for asking this morning:
“Looking to donate most of my $600 stimulus check. DC friends — any tips on which local orgs need the most help right now?”
See all the initial responses in this thread. Please add your recommendations in the comments. Thanks!
“Dear PoPville,
I am wondering if the community knows where/when there are holiday toy drives in the dc area?”
From Boundary Stone (116 Rhode Island Ave, NW):
“Come see us one more time!
Our Annual Toy Drive with Atlas Brew Works is needed more than ever this year! We will open our doors on DEC 16th & 17th from 4pm-7pm. ~ Bring an unwrapped toy and we will give you a free beer!
You can’t drink it here but you CAN take it home!”
From DC Fire & EMS: “Don’t forget that all of #DCsBravest firehouses are drop off points for @ToysforTots_DC. We accept new and unwrapped toys. No toy that can be construed as a weapon will be accepted.”
Please add other events you know of in the comments – thanks!
Photo by angela n.
Please add your charity of choice in the comments.
“Dear PoPville,
I have some money saved up that I would like to give to a good cause this year but I’m not quite sure where my money will do the most good. Do you have any charity recommendations in DC?”
One option from an email:
“Catholic Charities DC’s Angel Tree Christmas gift program just had a steep increase in the number of families who signed up to be sponsored. In a typical year, families register approximately 1,000 children for the program; right now there are more than 1,600 signed up. Obviously, more kids means the need more sponsors/”Angels.” Because of the pandemic, we are asking Angels to donate money (instead of gifts), which will be used to purchase gift cards so the families can buy presents for their children. There is a suggested donation of $35 per child.
Sponsor registration closes this Saturday (December 12) and there are still a fair amount of children who still need sponsors.
Any excess donations will go to purchase coats for those in the community who need them. So all donations will benefit people in need, even when all the children on our list are paired with sponsors.
Also, here are some other holiday giving opportunities we have available, just in case: (more…)
via GoFundMe
Thanks to Lindsay for writing: “Mr. Canada is the garden teacher at Stoddert Elementary in Glover Park. Mr. Canada does not encounter strangers; from the second you meet him, he is sharing food from his garden and engaging in meaningful conversation. He has patiently worked toward resolving this medical situation on his own, never remotely hinting at his daily obstacles, let alone asking for help. Hoping those of us in a position can contribute and take some of the burden off this amazing human!”
The GoFundMe:
“It is impossible to spend time with Curt Canada and not feel grateful for his huge heart. He is a soulful man who feels so deeply, but I have never seen him fully smile. He always positions his mouth in a way to prevent anyone from seeing his missing teeth because of how self conscious he is. On top of that, his inability to chew his food has started to seriously impact his physical health. I met Curt this past Spring and got to know him throughout the year on my near daily trips to get some fresh air, which often took me by the garden. Curt is one of the most generous and loving people I have ever met, and I feel so incredibly humbled and honored to play a small role in helping him raise funds to be able to afford dental implants. Please take a moment to read Curt’s own words below and help in any way you can.
Words from Curt Canada (more…)
Carmelo Michael Duncan via GoFundMe
“1 year old Carmelo Duncan lost his life to gun violence in our city.”
From GoFundMe:
“Hello Everyone, My Name Is Taquana (Tay) I’m Carmelo Michael Duncan Mother. My Babyboy Was Such A Beautiful Blessing To My Family. He Has 2 Older Siblings That Needed Him. We Love BabyMELO SOOO MUCH.. Me And His Dad Made Sure He Lived A OUTSTANDING 15 Months. He Was Such A Awesome Baby. BIG MELO WE LOVE YOU 4Life SonSon”