November 24, 2015
November 7, 2015
SCAN’s 13th Annual Toast to Hope fundraiser, held at the United Universalist Church of Arlington on November 7th, raised more than $80,000 to support SCAN’s child abuse prevention programs. With more than 200 guests on hand, it also provided a perfect opportunity to award the 2015 Cleary Award to the Vicky Collins Charitable Foundation.
> Read coverage by InsideNova.com here.
> See a photo gallery on Facebook here.
While recovering from her stroke, Collins became committed to the idea of using her estate to help disabled children who did not have the resources for basic human comforts, as well as adequate health care and therapy for their disabilities.
Collins set up a charitable foundation to provide help and resources for indigent and needy disabled children.
Since her death in 2003, the foundation has awarded more than $2 million in grants to help children with special needs in the Washington area.
“The impact of Vicky’s legacy lives on,” said Sonia Quinonez, SCAN’s executive director. “We are celebrating Vicky’s life and her legacy of caring for children in our community.”
The award was presented at SCAN’s 13th annual Toast to Hope fundraiser, which on Nov. 7 drew 225 people to Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington.
The event raised more than $80,000 to support SCAN’s child-abuse-prevention programs.
Mark Cummings, one of those entrusted by Collins to administer the foundation, was among those on hand to receive the award.
“Vicky’s desire to provide a boost to children living in crisis situations is embodied in the foundation’s support for SCAN’s CASA [Court Appointed Special Advocate] Program,” Cummings said. “CASA volunteers are dedicated, selfless individuals, just like Vicky. Together, Vicky’s legacy and the dedication of SCAN’s volunteers today give voice to the needs of very vulnerable children here in our own community.”
“The foundation’s support of our Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program has helped hundreds of children over the years, giving them a voice when they might otherwise not be heard,” Quinonez said.
The Cleary Award was created to honor SCAN’s founder, Dave Cleary, and recognize both individuals and organizations whose dedication and commitment to children and families stand out in ways that make a positive difference in the lives of children in Northern Virginia.
> Read coverage by InsideNova.com here.
> See a photo gallery on Facebook here.