UUCR2

Social Action Committee
(a.k.a. So Act)
2004 Annual Report

Social action encompasses so much: responses to societal issues and concerns as well as reaching out to help others wherever and whenever we can by contributing precious time, energy and financial support. We give as individuals and collectively as a congregation. In the past, a single social action committee facilitated our responses to all forms of recognized needs. This year, however, the manifest vitality and generosity of our congregation — as well as the diversity of personal priorities — led to a realization that, organizationally, we could become even more effective and efficient were oversight of UUCR social action efforts shared between two committees: Social Action and Social Justice, each with a more clearly focused purpose. Their roles are not mutually exclusive; they are mutually supportive and serve a common purpose. Indeed, some have found they're called to serve on both committees. What a positive forward step!

As it evolved during 2004, the Social Action Committee's primary function is one of outreach — helping others in need, both locally and afar. And it usually entailed teaming with others, so that UUCR's contributions, whatever their form, could be applied with optimum effectiveness.

Reston Interfaith (RI) remains the primary recipient of UUCR outreach support, which, we believe is as it should be; our congregation was one the Religious Sponsoring Organizations that helped found RI so many years ago. The response of our congregation has been nothing short of exceptional. UUCR contributed $2000 directly from its annually budgeted expenditures, but it gave an even larger amount through various fundraising activities targeted for specific purposes. Over $700 was raised for purchase of Thanksgiving turkeys that RI distributed to client families and, before that a similar amount was raised for back-to-school supplies. Another special collection supported a baby shower for needy mothers. We have no way of knowing how much individual members so generously and anonymously contributed in the form of diapers or Christmas gifts. We do know, though, that almost $1400 was raised at UUCR's annual auction for RI's Smart Christmas program. And how do we measure the value of time given to hands-on support for the likes of RI's baby shower, its annual picnic, or its Christmas party, or the combined effort with Kids R First to sort and package school supplies — all for families in need. These are the words of thanks to UUCR's membership expressed in Spanish by one recipient from the core of her religious belief: "God bless you." A few of us were privileged to hear them; they were meant to reach an entire congregation. So, too, were the many quiet, sincere thank yous that came our way.

Our collective generosity went well beyond support for RI. Hundreds of dollars were raised in a special collection for what we call the Amazon Project. Still more was raised for the Jennifer Mitchell Scholarship Fund. And we can't forget our budgeted and additional contributions to the Unitarian Universalist Affordable Housing Corporation. Nor should we overlook funds received from the Closet that we passed on to RI, hundreds of recycled dollars "earned" by UUCR members who so willingly gave time and effort to this worthy endeavor. Thanks also go to those who participated in the mid-summer Work Sunday program. The barrel of donated non-perishable food items seemed always to be full and, as Thanksgiving approached, overflowed with goods that were eventually delivered to All Souls UU Church by RE's 7^th and 8^th graders and class leaders.

And then there's the largest and most complex of all So Act activities — the Alternative Gift Market. $21,000, give or take some nickels and dimes, was raised to support various charitable organizations or for purchases of craft items. Literally dozens of UUCR members helped out, all of them essential to making the AGM successful once again. It was quite a show, a show that drew praise and respect for UUCR from folks beyond our congregation.

2004 was a good year. And your So Act Committee says "Thank you!"

Committee members: Rev. Dennis Daniel (Ministerial Rep), Judy Erickson, Mary Fenelon, Marsha Hughes-Rease, Maxine Jaubert, Joyce Kirk, Anne Leonard, Peter Lubitz, Deborah and Dennis McCormick (Co-chairs), Chris Michelson, Brad Peters (Youth Rep), Helene Shore, Elaine Schwartz, and Rebecca Trachtman.