Since the last newsletter was published, we have delivered another 124 food items.  At the time of this article, we have another 100 or so items to deliver in December.  So, our members have donated over 1,600 this year, which is definitely a record high.  Your donations are sincerely appreciated.  Thanks to all our wonderful members of the Centreville Moose Lodge for continuing to support our food drive.

The food is being delivered to the Saint Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Food Pantry located in Chantilly, VA. The Food Pantry is open the third Saturday of every month.  In October 2011, the Food Pantry fed 136 families – a record high!  Items most needed by the Food Pantry include canned meat, macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, coffee/tea, cereal, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned pasta, boxed pasta, cake mixes, soup, juice/drinks, and diapers of all sizes.

On Saturday December 10, 2011, Santa made his usual stop at the Centreville Moose Lodge in Fairfax City, Virginia to visit our good girls and boys.  As if Santa was getting ready to visit the children at their own house, the kids were on there best behavior.  The excitement and anticipation was in the air.  When would old St. Nick arrive?  What was that noise?  As if on cue upon the finish of breakfast, a fire truck from Fairfax City came roaring up with Santa and Mrs. Clause.  With a Ho, Ho, Ho, Santa had arrived at the lodge.  With Santa sat in his place of honor, with Mrs. Clause by his side, the children lined up to talk to Santa.  One by one, each child told Santa their wishes.  And, each child received an early Christmas gift too. The Centreville Moose Lodge would like to thank the Fairfax City Fire Department for escorting Santa and Mrs. Clause to the lodge.  It brought so much joy to the children that morning to see Santa ride in on the fire truck.  Thank you to the Women of the Moose for putting this whole thing on each year.  To Santa's helpers Nancy Petty, Slick, Ernie Phillips and Mark Smith thanks for all your generous help.

In addition to the food drive, our Lodge Members continue to support our clothing drive.  Since the beginning of this year, our members have donated over 5,000 clothing items!  This is definitely a record-high compared to previous years; thanks so much for your generosity!  A special thanks to George Barboza who is delivering the clothes for us (and earning a bonus blue card for poker).

The clothing is being delivered to the Western Fairfax Christian Ministry (WFCM) Thrift Store located in Chantilly, VA.  The Thrift Store is open every day except for Sunday and supports our neighbors in need in Fairfax County, Virginia within the geographic areas of Centreville, Clifton, Chantilly, Fair Oaks, and Fairfax Station.  The WFCM Thrift Store sells clothing for all ages, shoes, jewelry, accessories, costumes, seasonal items, furniture, linens, small appliances, books, music, movies, kitchenware, sporting goods, baby items, collectibles, and more.  If you would like to shop at the Thrift Store, the address is 13989 Metrotech Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151.

As always, the Centreville Moose Lodge members outdid its self. The Angel Tree was a huge success.  We collected more gifts for our local children in need. The items were delivered to Main Street Child Development Center on Sideburn Rd.  The Staff and I wish to thank each and every one of you for your outpouring of love for our local children to make a child's wish come true for Christmas.  The wounded Veterans wish to thank you for the clothes we donated.  It is the little things in life that can make the most difference.  Even as little as a pair of socks can change a person forever.  Thanks so much for the support of a worthy cause.  God Bless.