VMC Volunteer in the News
The Virginia Muslim Coalition had several volunteers participate in the James River Clean Up on Saturday June 13th. One of them was interviewed for an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. An excerpt from the article is below along with a link to the original news story. A warm thank you to all of our VMC volunteers for their hard work!
Abdel Jalil traveled from Fairfax County to Chesterfield County to lend a hand cleaning up the Falling Creek Ironworks site as part of the Virginia Muslim Coalition’s group of eight volunteers.
“This is water that people drink across the state, so it’s our duty to do some work to keep it clean,” he said.
FULL ARTICLE: http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/PARK14_20090613-213806/273771/
Condemning Holocaust Shooting
Dear Friends,
Shalom, Salam and Peace,
On behalf of the Virginia Muslim Coalition For Public Affairs, I wanted to extend my support and words of sympathy to you after the hate-motivated shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.
Tragic incidents like this one only strengthen our commitment to combating hate in all forms through education and dialogue. We stand with the Jewish community and with Americans of all faiths in repudiating these acts of violence, hatred and intolerance.
In my view, an important way we can remember the Holocaust is by actively living the values that would have made it an impossibility: understanding, respect and being inclusive toward all faiths and all races.
I would like to assure you our commitment to a common vision with your community and other faith groups of a world in which people of all traditions will come to consider themselves as family working together to build a more harmonious Richmond, a better America and a better world.
With Blessings,
M. Imad Damaj, Ph.D.
President
Virginia Muslim Coalition For Public Affairs
June Community Service Events
1. James River Clean-up Operation
James River Regional Cleanup 2007 is a regional effort to involve the community in cleaning the James River. As part of the effort, the river, shores and park areas will get a good cleaning. Last year, over 600 volunteers were involved in this effort. The Virginia Muslim Coalition is leading an effort to recruit volunteers from the Richmond Muslim Community to help in this effort: It’s our river. Care for it. It’s our duty to help maintianing it so we can enjoy it.
When: June 13, Saturday from 8:45am till 1:00 pm.
Where: Chesterfield County - Falling Creek Ironworks, 6201 Jefferson Davis Highway
From the Chippenham Parkway, exit south on Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1/301), take the first left turn into the Falling Creek Apartments after crossing Falling Creek.
From the south turn right into the Falling Creek Apartments off of the Jefferson Davis Highway before the Falling Creek Bridge. Falling Creek crosses the highway between DuPont and Bellwood.
Trash bags will be provided. Dress comfortable, wear work gloves and sturdy shoes (closed toe shoes). Bring a hat, drinking water, bug repellent and sunscreen. Lunch for volunteers will be served following the clean up. Please email us if you would like to help in this effort. The participation of our youth (under 18) and their families is very recommended.
2. Feeding Homeless Group at a Lutheran Church
We are serving dinner for a group of 40 homeless people at the Lutheran Church Of Our Saviour (9601 Hull Street Road, Richmond VA) on Tuesday June 23, 2009. We will need 3-4 volunteers to help in the serving from 6:00 pm till 7:30 pm.
Please let us know if you can help. We are also looking for tax-deductible donations to help cover the cost of the food: You can send your check to : VA Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs- POBOX 74623, Richmond, VA 23236.
