Keys For The Homeless Foundation
On behalf of all those served by KEYS for the Homeless Foundation, Inc., it is a joy to be able to share a few thoughts about our mission and to express my sincere thanks to the Board and members of the LRCA and Ilda Recreational Association for their wonderful support.
This past November, I would imagine that the “Help the Homeless” message on the Ilda marquee, may have been a tad bit unusual to see, and some may also be curious to know more about the inventory of items stored during the winter months in the pool clubhouse.
Warm summer days, swim meets, weekend barbecues, movie nights, and summer social festivities always seem to end too soon. Closing day arrives, and we are never ready to clear the deck! Yet, for the past 5 years, during the winter season, the ILDA clubhouse has sheltered much more than swim team photos, concession stand supplies, deck chairs and umbrellas. The unassuming work of a small nonprofit is quietly getting accomplished.
KEYS procures no longer needed goods and supplies from hotels and other concerned businesses and provides these items, at no cost, to those living in poverty. Through the generosity of contributors (i.e., LRCA and Ilda), the hard work of our volunteers, and through our partnerships with other organizations providing homeless services in the greater Washington, DC, metro area, KEYS has redistributed over $500,000 in basic household goods over the past 4 years to meet real life needs.
Year after year, just after we celebrate our Octoberfest, the pool club house opens its doors and temporarily serves as a safe haven for contributions. Our goal is to travel point to point, from donor to beneficiary; yet, from time to time, temporary storage space is critical to operations.
Over the past 3 years, LRCA and Ilda friends and neighbors have also hosted an annual Help the Homeless Mini-Walk in support of KEYS. With the help of mini-walk coordinator and Vice President of LRCA Mary Ann Fox and other volunteers, our spirited walk takes ‘route.’ This fundraising event allows KEYS to receive additional funding through the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Program (www.helpthehomelessdc.org), and together, we are raising social awareness of the needs of the homeless.
KEYS has partnered with Virginia Linen Service, Hotel Association of Washington, DC, Gifts In Kind International, Williams Sonoma, Disney Store and Pottery Barn Kids to raise revenue and further our mission.
Ilda and LRCA members have been KEY to our success in building a foundation that reaches far beyond 22003. Members have contributed time, talents, and treasure, and your support is greatly appreciated. A special thanks to Allison Jackson for her marvelous pro-bono graphic design talents in creating the first KEYS brochure; Luke Martonik, for his in-kind financial advisement in the early years; volunteers Karl Pucher, Eileen Malloy, Jim McLaughlin, and Tom Ryan for their help with pick ups and deliveries; Patricia Powers for her incredible listening strength, to all who supported our Book Signing Event with author Pamela Ewen, to all mini-walkers who cheerfully set the pace for years to come; and to all those who have spontaneously stopped by the club house to lend a hand.
I hope you will visit www.keysforthehomeless.org. Thank you, thank you LRCA and Ilda for your continued support!
Valerie Guste Johnson
President & Founding Director
KEYS for the Homeless Foundation, Inc.