A rare October snowstorm has already dumped over 14 inches of snow across parts of Midwest. It’s hard to believe that winter weather is right around the corner in Reston, and the odds are very good that we will be hit with a “surprise” storm or two before things thaw out in the spring.
The intense derecho this summer is a reminder of how easy it is for people in our community to be dangerously isolated. The storm also revealed that one of the best “solutions” during these tragedies is the support of our neighbors. This was demonstrated in the way the community rallied to support the residents of Lake Anne Fellowship House. However, the storm also revealed just how unprepared and vulnerable some of us can be living in our traditional neighborhoods and clusters.
Since its inception, Reston for a Lifetime has been focused on helping create and support systems that facilitate neighborhood connectedness. Our local surveys of Reston residents and national research clearly states that one of the most important elements to “aging in community” is living in a connected neighborhood. Connections with your neighbors can be important for social and recreational reasons, for transportation, and for sharing resources, but in the case of a storm it could help avoid a “life or death” situation.
On Nov. 3, Reston for a Lifetime is hosting a forum titled “Is Your Neighborhood Ready for the Next Big Storm” with the support of Reston Community Center and Reston Citizens Association. At this forum we will recap the recent derecho and some of the successes and challenges our community faced. Our special guest will be Marcelo Ferreira, Community Liaison with the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management who will share important resources available to all of us. Lastly, we will have an open dialogue on how we can work better as neighbors to prepare for these inevitable events.
It is our hope that this event can help individuals and neighbors identify resources that they didn’t know existed. More importantly we hope that it inspires people to organize themselves and identify those in their neighborhood who might need additional help and those that would be willing to offer help. Just imagine the benefits to all of us if every street and cluster in Reston had a dialogue like this!
Does your neighborhood have a plan or a neighbor who serves and the connector? If so, please drop us a line at aginginreston@gmail.com or comment below.
Please feel free to join us on Nov. 3 and help us spread the word about this important event!
