Live Vibrantly - January 21, 2020

A Day of Giving Back: New Traditions at Goodwin Living

by Kathie Miller

Today, our first MLK Day of Service took place at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads.

Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. residents, staff, Goodwin Living At Home and Priority Club Members gathered to give back to seven local organizations. We made an impact in a minimum of 2,676 lives (some of them furry) in just two hours! A huge thank you to Greta Christ, our tenacious volunteer coordinator who spearheaded this amazing volunteerism project.

Here’s a list of what we accomplished today:

• 196 dog and 72 cat bags were created today and will be distributed at Fairfax County Animal Shelter
• 48 toiletry bags were created for Second Story, which provides a safe haven and programs to youth ages 13-17 who are moving beyond homelessness, abuse, trafficking, and neglect
• 20 toiletry bags were created for Shelter House, which provides crisis intervention, safe housing and supportive services to homeless families and victims of domestic violence
• 150 lunch bags were created for Bailey’s Crossroad’s Shelter, which is part of New Hope Housing
• Over 90 cards were written to military personnel via an organization called Operation Gratitude
• 2100 bags were created for the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC).
• And our fabulous knitters worked on knitting sweaters for the Knit for Kids, a nationwide program affiliated with World Vision

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As Corporate Director of Marketing & Communications, Kathie Miller provides strategic guidance and tactical support for all areas of Goodwin Living. She writes, edits and manages The Good Life blog and newsletter. Kathie joined GHI in 2014 after nearly 15 years at NPR, where she honed her skills in brand and reputation management, content marketing and internal communications. Originally from Pennsylvania, Kathie has slowly come to realize she’s lived in Arlington for more than half her life and should call herself a Virginian. She enjoys the outdoors and brings her rescue dog, Remi, to work every day.

About the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Committee: We are a group of staff and residents who together serve a mission to educate, embrace and empower a workplace of diversity, equality and inclusion. Our vision is to seek open and honest communication and collaboration that will inform and celebrate the cultural, ethnic and sexual orientation of all members of our staff without bias.