The coronavirus has canceled one of Alexandria’s most beloved traditions this winter.
The Campagna Center announced in a newsletter to supporters Monday morning that they have to cancel the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend.
Although the Scottish Christmas Walk and related events are some of the most well-known efforts of The Campagna Center, the organization is responsible for a variety of programs that make a huge difference in the lives on Alexandria residents.
These programs include the Campagna Kids after-school program, the Wright to Read learning program, the Building Better Futures program for high school students, the New Neighbors program for English language learners, a pre-school program and several others.
The Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend generates more than $250,000 in revenue for The Campagna Center programs.
Those programs will still need significant amounts of support, and The Campagna Center will be reaching out in the coming months to continue to meet those needs.
The Campagna Center’s mission is to “Inspire a commitment to learning and achievement among children, teens and adults that has the power to change their lives and our community.” The Campagna Center started in 1945 to serve the Alexandria community.
In a newsletter sent out Monday morning to Campagna Center supporters, The Campagna Center wrote:
As we face the reality of the extraordinary efforts it will take to keep COVID19 under control in our community until a vaccination is available, The Campagna Center has determined it will not be able to host the 50th Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend (SCWW). More than a lost opportunity for the community to come together to enjoy this festive weekend, it also represents a vital lifeline to the mission of the work we do in Alexandria. Each year the SCWW generates over $250,000 in revenues such that the work of our organization and programs like Building Better Futures, New Neighbors and our Early Learning Center at St. James can operate.
In the year ahead we anticipate significant financial challenges as we continue in our efforts to be here for our families and do all we can to protect the health and safety of our staff. We know that the cost of providing services will be greater given the need to practice social distancing and provide PPE for staff and our clients when virtual approaches to service provision fall short of meeting needs. This will be especially true for in person early education and child care for school age children.
In the coming weeks and months, you’ll hear more from The Campagna Center as we develop alternate plans to virtually engage with our community and garner the support we need. Please consider a gift to support our Alexandrian’s in need.
Learn more about The Campagna Center at campagnacenter.org.
