The 2008 Scholarship Fund Telethon took place on November 23 and real estate colleagues in the Alexandria area generously donated money for this worthy cause. The five hour telethon aired on Comcast Channel 69 where I presented a check in the amount of $4,435 to Susan Yowell.

The mission of The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria (SFA), through its relationships within the community, is to encourage and assist the students of the Alexandria City Public Schools by providing them with the necessary resources to pursue a college or post-secondary education.

I was delighted to serve as Co-Chair for Casino Night in 2007 and Cinco de Mayo in 2008 both benefiting the Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services.

Access to affordable health care is Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, Inc.'s (ANHSI) reason for being. Arlandria Health Center is the only "open access" facility in Northern Virginia where everyone is welcome regardless of age, ethnic background, insurance status, residence or ability to pay. The majority of our clients are low-income and uninsured (93% of adults, 47% of children).

There is also an increasing number of longtime community residents who have no health insurance, either because they are (1) unemployed; (2) working and underinsured; or (3) working but unable to afford insurance. Our patients also include young and middle age professionals who suddenly lose their jobs and older adults with no or inadequate insurance.

Sixty percent (60%) of adult patients and 35% of children come to the center with undiagnosed or long neglected chronic illnesses.