Coats, shoes, blankets and food are a few of the essential resources all in Herndon require for a quality life. For many in this community where it appears most people meet their basic needs and beyond, there are those individuals who work two and three minimum paying jobs and are faced daily with choices on which basic need to spend their limited dollars- food, coat, shoes for their children or themselves, heat, bus fare, rent. For those financially fragile, there isn’t enough money to make ends meet, let alone spend on gifts.

During this holiday season, here are some ways the local Herndon community can help neighbors have a fulfilling and memorable holiday season:

NWFCU Supports a Cornerstones Thanksgiving Food Drive at St. John Neumann Catholic Church

Employees of Herndon-based Northwest Federal Credit Union Stephanie Smith, Stefany Zambrano and Hap Peterson volunteer for the Cornerstones 2018 Thanksgiving Food Drive at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, one of six distribution sites throughout the area supporting this season’s community food drive. Their giving attitude and that of hundreds of more people in the local area will help make memorable Thanksgiving dinner for 1,000 financially challenged families Cornerstones expects to serve.

Coat Drive at Hutchison Elementary School

Officers from Fairfax County Police and Herndon Police Departments, Fairfax County School Board members Ilryong Moon, Vice-Chair Member-at-Large and Karen Keys-Gamarra, Member-at-Large and many volunteers helped Hutchinson ES's principal, Ray Lonnett hand out new coats to a couple hundred grateful and happy children at the school, wrote Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) on his Facebook page. "A very special thanks to the generous members of McLean Bible Church for contributing the coats," posted Foust to Facebook on Nov. 12.

Cornerstones: Gifts For Kids Drive

Cornerstones is helping to make local children's holiday wishes come true. To register for this drive visit www.cornerstones.org, search for the gifts for Kids Donation Form. Fulfilling wish lists for teenagers and senior citizens is especially appreciated. Cornerstones will distribute personalized wish lists within two business days of submission. Contact nate.king@cornerstonesva.org for more information.

Herndon Police Department Supports Motor Squad's Santa's Ride 2018

The Town of Herndon Police Department is supporting the 17th Annual Santa’s Ride presented by the Fairfax County Police Motor Squad. The officers assigned to this seasonal mission are tasked with collecting toys, games, books and gifts to be distributed to children at Fairfax Hospital, Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center, and children in need. The officers accept unwrapped donations at all district police stations, Herndon Police Station, the following locations: Greenbrier East, Spring Hill, Groveton, Terraset, Holy Spirit, St. Ambrose, Oakwood and Pender, the lobby of the Pennino and Herrity Office Buildings or the Government Center, no later than 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. Santa and his helpers ride throughout the County visiting elementary schools, spreading holiday cheer. If you see Santa on a motorcycle, give him a wave and honk your horn urged Fairfax County Police.

"Inaugural Wishes Through Windows Benefit,” HB Services

Local art muralist, Keith Naquin, paints a window frame given to him by Harry Hink of HB Services for its "Inaugural Wishes Through Windows Benefit.” This is an auction of old windows turned into works of art to raise funds for Ellie's Hats, a 501 (c)(3) organization that provides hats to pediatric cancer patients and their siblings and also fulfills local “wishes,” helps families financially and provides escapes for the children and their families. The benefit auction is Nov. 30. For ticket info, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/wishes-through-windows-tickets… If you cannot attend but would like to donate, visit www.facebook.com/events/279898612561956/.

"I wanted to get involved, as it seems a small, positive contribution towards aiding kids with cancer in an artistic fashion. I've contacted several local high schools and currently, Herndon High School Art Honors Society has offered to take on a handful of windows for the cause." -Artist Keith Naquin

Shoe Drive for Kids at Hutchinson ES, Dranesville District Supervisor’s Office

Sup. John W. Foust (D-Dranesville) is participating in a shoe and gift card drive to benefit needy children at Hutchison ES in Herndon now through Dec. 13 with support by Arts Herndon. Locally, bring new kids shoes/boots, $10 or $20 Kohls, Target, and Visa gift cards or cash donations that will be converted to gift cards to Arts Herndon, 750 Center Street. Check website www.ArtsHerndon.org for hours.

Marine Corp Toys for Tots, Reston-Dulles Section, National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

The Dulles Section, National Council of Negro Women, Inc. is supporting the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Drive. Individuals can bring new, unwrapped children’s toys to the Bungalow Lakehouse, 46116 Lake Center Plaza, Sterling, Sunday, Dec. 9, 3:30- 6:00 p.m. where the Marines will collect the toys for distribution or contact Cypriana McCray, Pres. at ncnwrestondulles.org before the pick-up date.

Wreaths Across America

Previous hosts of the Tommy Morning Show! on CBS 94.7 FRESH FM in Washington, D.C. Kelly Collins, Tommy McFly and Jen Richer gather with Lisa C. Merkel, Mayor Town of Herndon (center) and Jimmy Cirrito, owner of Jimmy's Old Town Tavern (back) during "A Gathering of Gratitude" to benefit the local Wreaths Across America campaign.

More than 770 Veterans from the Reston/Herndon areas and beyond are buried at Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Herndon. It is an official Wreaths Across America site. Within one hour, the 50/50 raffle brought in $1,000. By night's end, the event raised a reported $1,347. If you are interested in purchasing a wreath for a Veteran, as general support or as a tribute to a Veteran you knew, or volunteering to help distribute the wreaths on Sat., Dec. 15, visit www.herndonwomansclub.org for more information.

Wreaths Across America

At a Gathering of Gratitude, a Wreaths Across America campaign held at Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern by Herndon Woman’s Club to raise awareness and funds for fresh remembrance wreaths, Town of Herndon citizens, Siamara Roa and her daughters Miley Roa, 10, and Mia Arevalo-Delcid, 13, 13, purchase a wing-span of tickets during the 50/50 raffle. The club hopes to use the funds to partially support its purchase of 770 wreaths, one for each Veteran’s gravestone at Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Herndon. The 2018 National Wreaths Across America Day is Dec. 15. Visit www.herndonwomansclub.org for more information.

NOVA Relief Center

Blankets & Coats for Syrian Refugees: Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova announced gently used blankets and coats are being collected now through Dec. 8 and will be sent to refugees currently in Jordan. Herndon Sites: Town of Herndon Town Hall, 777 Lynn Street; Oak Hill Elementary School, 3210 Kinross Circle; The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 3301 Hidden Meadow Drive; and Congregation Beth Emeth, 12523 Lawyers Road. See https://novareliefcenter.org/ for more

United Airlines Fantasy Flight

For regional children and their families, Rotary Club of Herndon chose once again to support United Airlines Fantasy Flight at Dulles Airport.

An annual holiday tradition, United transports children from the area afflicted by illness, poverty and special needs along with their family members to a world of singing, dancing, gifts, crafts, a buffet and Santa Claus himself. The children and their families board an aircraft, takeoff and are flown for about 30 minutes, arriving back at Dulles to another gate where employees created the magic of the North Pole.

The date for Wreaths Across America has been corrected to Dec. 15.