On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Friday, Oct. 18 “Jeans Day Fairfax,” the third annual Jeans Day event in Fairfax County. From the front row on the left: Dianne Quebral, Office of Public Private Partnerships (OP3); Angie Carrera, office of Public Private Partnerships (OP3); Anna Smith, Pathway Homes; Sherri Link, Faith Communities in Action; Glynda Mayo Hall, Office to Prevent and End Homelessness; Supervisor Catherine Hudgins, Supervisor Hunter Mill District; Dean Klein, Office to Prevent and End Homelessness; Michael O'Reilly, Chairman, Governing Board of the Fairfax-Falls Church Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness; Sharon Bulova, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Rev. Kathleen Kline Moore, Senior Minister of the First Christian Church of Falls Church; Jewell Mikula, Shelter House Inc.; Julie Maltzman, Office to Prevent and End Homelessness; KayAnn Shoeneman, Fairfax Chamber; Kathi Sheffel, Fairfax County Public Schools; Patti Stevens, Office of Public Private Partnerships, and Wendy Lemieux, Office of Public Private Partnerships. In second row: Jolie Smith, Shelter House Inc.; Beth Morrow, BB&T; Conrad Egan, Governing Board of the Fairfax-Falls Church Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness; Debbie Scaggs, Office to Prevent and End Homelessness; Don Owens, Chairman of Dulles Chamber of Commerce; Tom Barnett, Office to Prevent and End Homelessness; Andrew Reilly, Apple Federal Credit Union; Nikki Thomas- Campbell- Office to Prevent and End Homelessness; Mary Kimm, Connection Newspapers; Amanda McGill, Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, and the Rev. Katie Russell, First Christian Church of Fairfax. Back row: Michael Frey, Supervisor Sully District; John Cook, Supervisor Braddock District; Penelope Gross, Supervisor Mason District; John Foust, Supervisor Dranesville District; Jeff McKay, Supervisor Lee District; Pat Herrity, Supervisor Springfield District, and Linda Smyth, Supervisor Providence District. Photo by Deb Cobb.
Who knew?
Just by wearing jeans to work, you can actively help nearly 3,000 men, women and children in Fairfax County who face homelessness and hunger every day.
On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Friday, Oct. 18 “Jeans Day Fairfax,” the third annual Jeans Day event in Fairfax County.
Launched in 2011 by the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH), the event is a popular fundraiser for homelessness and other causes nationwide.
Jeans Day is a relatively simple idea. Companies go casual for a cause, inviting employees to wear their jeans to work in exchange for a $5 contribution to fight homelessness.
Last year, more than 200 employers, schools and community residents became denim do-gooders, pulling on a pair of their favorite jeans to demonstrate their support for ending homelessness.
The day of community give-back is sponsored by The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness, The Connection Newspapers and Apple Federal Credit Union.
“Northern Virginia businesses step up every day to support our community in many ways, but we’re especially excited about this opportunity because it’s a chance for employees to get involved directly,” said Fairfax Chamber President & CEO Jim Corcoran of the Jeans Day initiative.
“The majority of people without homes in our community are children and working families,” said Dean Klein, Director of Fairfax County’s OPEH.
“Homelessness affects everyone, with social and economic costs to the community, including increased public costs for medical care and education. Everyone can help end homelessness by participating in Jeans Days Fairfax.”
Klein said businesses and individuals can make Jeans Day Fairfax another huge success by being creative.
“It's fun and simple to organize. Ask people to come to work in their jeans and make a donation of $5. It’s a great way to bring a team, a floor or the whole company together,” Klein said.
What is Jeans Day Fairfax?
Jeans Day Fairfax is an awareness campaign and fundraiser for ending homelessness in our community sponsored by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, Connection Newspapers, Apple Federal Credit Union, and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness in partnership with Fairfax-Falls Church businesses, nonprofit and civic organizations, Fairfax County employees, Fairfax County Public School employees, the faith community and individuals. Since 2011, Jeans Day has involved over 200 organizations representing more than 10,000 employees.
When is Jeans Day Fairfax?
Jeans Day Fairfax is Oct. 18 this year, but you can get involved and donate to help the nearly 3,000 children, women and men who are affected by homelessness in our community.
Register today to Put the ZIP on Homelessness by donating $5 to the cause and wearing your jeans to show your support on Oct. 18. You can also help spread the word by posting or distributing our Jeans Day Fact Sheet.
How Businesses Can Get Involved
The Chamber requests your community spirit and support by sponsoring a Jeans Day in your workplace or business.
On Oct. 18, allow your employees to wear jeans to support the 10-Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness and the Partnership to Prevent and End homelessness.
The cost to an employee to participate is $5. Each participating business will collect the funds raised and, if they choose, can match the funds. Donations will benefit the Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness.
Businesses who wish to participate may register and donate by going to http://jeansday2013.eventbrite.com.
How Individuals Can Get Involved
You do not need to be affiliated with a business or organization to participate in Jeans Day. Individuals who wish to take part in this initiative may donate online via Apple Federal Credit Union. You may also drop off your donation at any Apple Federal Credit Union branch.
Three Easy Ways to Donate:
- Online
Donate online through our financial partner, Apple Federal Credit Union.
Can’t access or don’t have a Facebook page? No problem, you can donate directly to our PayPal account. You can also donate through the Apple FCU Foundation.
- Cash
Cash donations will be accepted at any of Apple Federal Credit Union’s branch locations. Please mention "Ending Homelessness in Fairfax County" to the teller at the time of deposit.
- Check
Checks will be accepted at any of Apple Federal Credit Union’s branch locations. Please make your checks payable to PEH/CFNCR and mention "Ending Homelessness in Fairfax County" to the teller at the time of deposit.
You may also mail checks or money orders to:
The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, 1201 15th Street NW, Suite 420, Washington, DC 20005.
For all checks, reference "Homelessness" in the memo section.
Where Are the Donations Going?
All funds raised go directly to the Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness. There are many ways you, your business or your community organization can impact homelessness today. No matter what your skills, age or resources, there are ways you can make a difference for people who are homeless. This fund not only supports rapid re-housing activities, but also provides valuable resources that tackle multiple prevention issues.
Be Creative
Keep these ideas in mind when organizing your company’s Jeans Day event:
Help raise the profile of your organization by highlighting your fundraising in your annual report, on your website and in your local paper or trade magazine.
Raise morale. Staff will think it’s great and for a good cause. The boss will look good for letting you all wear your jeans.
Create a bit of role reversal and give the boss a “day off,” sponsor him or her to make the coffee or do the photocopying.
Start the weekend a bit earlier by wearing jeans and having some fun in the office.
Make a night of it! The fun doesn't have to stop at 5 p.m.; hold a happy hour or karaoke night!
Help your company meet its corporate civic responsibility targets by raising money on Jeans Day to Put the ZIP on Homelessness.
For more information on the event, contact Glynda Mayo Hall, Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, at glynda.hall@fairfaxcounty.gov.