John O’Donnell, WANADA’s President and CEO, helped deliver dinner and happiness to some Northern Virginia residents on Thanksgiving – a day that, even outside of a global pandemic, can be quite difficult for low-income Americans, particularly those with a low English-language proficiency.
O’Donnell volunteered with Canastas de Amor (Spanish for “Baskets of Love”), an Alexandria-based charity that helps provide needy families in Latin America with groceries and other necessities. During Thanksgiving, the organization provides needy families in the Washington region, particularly non-English speaking households, with gift baskets that are “blessed with love” and delivered to their doorstep.
Donors to Canastas de Amor give anonymously, so the recipients do not feel a sense of obligation for receiving these necessities during this difficult time. O’Donnell and other volunteers gathered at Del Ray Baptist Church in the early hours of Thanksgiving Day, and did a round of deliveries to area residents who otherwise would not have been able to enjoy a traditional holiday meal.
For more information on the valuable work that Canastas de Amor does year-round, both in this region and throughout Latin America, please visit their website.
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