Bill Text: VA HJR746 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Share, Inc.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-07 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ746ER) [HJR746 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-HJR746-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Share, Inc., a nonprofit corporation providing emergency assistance to the less fortunate in the McLean and Pimmit Hills areas, celebrates its 50th anniversary of enhancing the lives of the needy in Northern Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Share, Inc., took root in the late 1960s, when McLean Baptist Church parishioner and visiting home teacher Irene Jones learned about a local family with two children who, because they had to share only one pair of shoes, could only have one child attend school at a time; Irene Jones made it her mission to spread the word to McLean churchgoers about the number of people in the community who were in need or who were falling between society's cracks; and
WHEREAS, started in 1969 by laypersons from McLean-area churches to respond to social needs, Share, Inc., has grown into an organization of interfaith cooperation, responding to needs of an emergency nature as well as those requiring a longer-term approach, but still focused on citizen welfare; and
WHEREAS, in the 1970s and 1980s, Share, Inc., volunteers devoted their time and resources to the societal problems of the day, with programs for alienated youth and runaways, inner-city problems, concerns with the limited availability of affordable housing, and the special needs of the aging senior population; and
WHEREAS, in the 1990s and early 2000s, Share, Inc., launched new programs, as its earlier initiatives had led to the establishment of independent institutions that provided specialized services, such as Meals on Wheels, Alternative House, and McLean Day; and
WHEREAS, other impactful initiatives established by Share, Inc., during that era included programs to provide school supplies, refurbished computers, fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs to families in need; programs to assist special needs populations such as victims of spousal abuse, formerly homeless families, and other individuals reentering society; and increasing cooperative efforts with Fairfax and Arlington Counties; and
WHEREAS, today, Share, Inc., remains an entirely volunteer organization with numerous special programs, including providing gift cards and presents to over 230 needy families during the holiday season and distributing refurbished computers to over 30 clients; and
WHEREAS, Share, Inc.'s programs include furniture, family assistance, and transportation programs that succeed through ecumenical cooperation and generous volunteers; Share, Inc., has provided over 900 bags of groceries and 280 bags of used clothing and linens per month to those in need; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Share, Inc., for providing emergency assistance to the less fortunate in the McLean and Pimmit Hills areas as the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary of enhancing the lives of the needy in Northern Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Share, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's generous efforts to help Virginians in need.
