FirstService Residential

The DCMetro Social Committee hosted a School Supply Drive during the first three weeks of July to benefit Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS), a nonprofit organization that provides resources and support to help local children and families succeed.

I posted the flyer for the drive at Altavista Condominiums and set out two VERY large boxes, hoping we could fill them.

Well… two boxes were definitely NOT enough! 🎒✏️📚

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our residents and staff, we collected enough school supplies to fill the entire back of my SUV! Backpacks, folders, pencils, glue sticks, index cards, composition books, notebooks, and SO MUCH MORE!

If I had to estimate, we collected at least 500 pounds of supplies—the equivalent of roughly 15 boxes once everything was sorted and repacked into more manageable sizes.

It was truly heartwarming to watch our community come together for such a meaningful cause. Seeing our staff and residents contribute so generously to help local children start the school year with the supplies they need was something special.

I couldn’t be prouder of the Altavista community. ❤️

Sometimes a simple request to “fill a box” turns into an SUV full of generosity. This is what community looks like. 🎒❤️✏️

On July 21, 2026, FirstService Residential Associates partnered with Services for the Underserved to assemble housing kits for formerly homeless families and individuals in New York City. Together, we boxed and prepared hundreds of essential items to help furnish 70 new apartments on West 45th Street.It was a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community where we work and serve.

At each stop on this year's Vertical Summit tour in the East Region, something special happened. Beyond the presentations, networking, and learning sessions, our associates came together for a shared purpose—to make life a little easier for someone going through an incredibly difficult time.

In South Carolina, donated purses were thoughtfully filled with everyday essentials for women seeking safety and a fresh start after escaping domestic abuse to the My Sisters House non-profit organization. In North Carolina, care packages were assembled for individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis to the Hospitality House non-profit organization. In New Jersey, hygiene kits were packed to help teens access basic necessities many of us take for granted for United Way non-profit organization. And in Virginia, we partnered with My Sweet Julia Grace foundation, to provide comfort kits for families unexpectedly staying in the hospital while caring for a sick child.

While each organization serves a different need, the heart behind every project was the same. Every donated item, every packed bag, and every care package was a reminder that someone cares. A toothbrush, a journal, a bottle of shampoo, or a simple hygiene item may seem small, but to someone facing uncertainty, hardship, or crisis, those everyday essentials can provide comfort, restore dignity, and offer hope during one of the most challenging moments of their lives.

Together, our associates transformed simple donations into meaningful acts of compassion. It's a powerful reminder that giving back isn't always about grand gestures—sometimes it's the smallest acts of kindness that leave the greatest impact.

Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness create the most unforgettable memories.

We recently had the opportunity to help a beautiful 3-year-old little girl by providing her with new clothes and some of the things she needed. We were also fortunate enough to do something extra special—give her a magical first trip to Disney World.

Watching her face light up as she met her favorite princess, Elsa, was a moment we will never forget. Hearing Elsa sing her favorite songs, taking photos together, and seeing the wonder in her eyes was absolutely priceless.

One of the sweetest moments was when she met Minnie and got to give her a little boop on the nose. Such a simple interaction, yet it filled her with so much joy and laughter.

Her smile, excitement, and pure innocence brought tears to our eyes. It reminded us that even the smallest gestures of kindness can leave a lasting impact.

We are so grateful we were able to be part of this special day and help create a little bit of magic that she will always remember. ✨💕

Supporting SOS Homestead's food pantry was a meaningful experience because it reminded me how even small acts of kindness can make a real difference. Seeing our team and residents in our communities come together to donate food for families in need showed the power of compassion and generosity. It had a personal impact on me by reinforcing the importance of giving back and inspiring me to continue creating opportunities for our community to help those who need it most.

My volunteer service combines my personal interests in genealogy and the history of pandemics—particularly those of the late 1800s through the 1918 Influenza A pandemic—with opportunities to help others and preserve historical records.

Through my research, I became involved with the Find A Grave website and signed up as a volunteer to fulfill online photo requests for memorials. When individuals are unable to visit a cemetery because of distance, health, or other circumstances, I photograph requested gravesites and memorials and upload the images for families, historians, and researchers. These photographs help people connect with their family history, preserve the memory of loved ones, and support genealogical research.

In addition to this work, I review digitized historical documents, such as birth and death certificates, that are available online. When I discover errors or inaccuracies, I submit corrections for review to improve the quality and reliability of these public records. While these corrections may seem small, they help ensure that future researchers and families have access to more accurate historical information.

This volunteer work has been especially meaningful because it allows me to combine my passion for history with service to others. It also encourages me to spend time outdoors, providing fresh air and exercise while making a tangible difference for individuals seeking to learn more about their ancestors. Whether through photographing memorials or improving the accuracy of historical records, I enjoy contributing to the preservation of family history and helping others make meaningful connections to their past.

I created and sent a flyer to the residents to collect donations for the Earthquake victims of Venezuela. So far, we have filled up 2 large bins.

I volunteered with the DCMetro Social Committee to raise funds for Carpenter's Shelter in Arlington, VA. We held a Bingo night partnering vendors and raised almost $1500. I had the pleasure of being the emcee for the event. It was such a great cause!

Staff and board of directors for social purpose with Forgotten Soldiers Outreach that the “Mavericks” rolled out under VP Charity Gruwell. There are quite a few properties that took a collection during the entire month of May to send care packages to our troops. Membership not only donated items, but they also wrote letters to soldiers as well. Yesterday, FirstService Residential associates and Board members from a few properties packed over 30 boxes to ship to soldiers