[Archived] Alexandria City Council Honors Work of More Than 3,400 Volunteers Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic

For Immediate Release: December 9, 2020

At its meeting on December 8, the Alexandria City Council issued a proclamation honoring the service, dedication and perseverance of Alexandria’s volunteers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Alexandria’s rich history and traditions have always included a vibrant community of volunteers,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “Since the onset of the pandemic in March, more than 3,400 volunteers have answered the call to perform selfless acts during this challenging time. While these volunteers have placed themselves at risk, their service has ensured the resilience of our community.”

Volunteers have helped sew, package and distribute masks; provide translation services; answer emergency assistance hotlines; deliver meals and groceries; provide legal services; assist at food banks and food distributions; write grant applications; conduct fundraising; and more. Alexandria Medical Reserve Corps volunteers have provided critical nonmedical and medical support to the Alexandria Health Department by helping to answer their COVID-19 hotline; provide infection prevention coaching; conduct contact tracing and case investigation; support testing events and flu clinics; and fit test City staff with personal protective equipment. Volunteers will continue to be an essential part of the City’s COVID-19 response as cases are increasing and vaccination efforts are underway.

The proclamation also recognizes Volunteer Alexandria, a nonprofit organization that, for 40 years, has served as a vital link between individual and group volunteers, area nonprofits, and City agencies in need of support. Through Volunteer Alexandria’s online volunteer portal, thousands of people have been matched with a volunteer opportunity to help meet community needs. 

Visit alexandriava.gov/Dockets to view the proclamation, list of volunteers and meeting video.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.