Arthritis Foundation, Metropolitan Washington Chapter

Our mission is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases through research, programs and services in the DC metro area.

How do you help people in my community?

The Arthritis Foundation, Metropolitan Washington Chapter runs programs in over 50 locations throughout the metropolitan Washington area. Arthritis Foundation aquatics and exercise classes are held at YMCA’s and recreation centers throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Arthritis Foundation representatives contact over 100,000 people at health fairs and community events each year throughout the area. We speak to corporations and employees about arthritis and arthritis-friendly accommodations. We speak at church groups, community organizations, schools and many other sites to teach people how to identify and treat arthritis..

Why do you need my support?

A Small Donation Goes a Long Way--

Donate your Time, your Money, and your Understanding.  With the help of those who have a vested interest in the health and well-being of the citizens of the metropolitan Washington area, we can make a difference.  The burden rests with you.  Examine your work, your social life, your interests, your talents, your contacts.  Decide how you can work to ensure that the ever-growing arthritis problem does not become an epidemic.  Realize you can give a voice to those who are not heard, and provide knowledge for those who do not have it.  Choose to make a difference.

You Can Help in These Areas:

Education--Display Arthritis Foundation (AF) information and flyers at your physician's office, church or synagogue, community center, and/or health club.

• Invite the Foundation's one-hour Lunch and Learn program to your workplace.
• Volunteer with the AF; work with staff to increase the AF's presence throughout the area.
• Become a member of the Foundation's Speakers Bureau/PR Group and help to spread the word

Funding-- Sign up on our website as an advocate for the Arthritis Foundation, lobbying Congress for support.

• Encourage participation in a charity funding drive through your workplace, with the Arthritis Foundation as the beneficiary.
• Make a personal contribution and ask others to contribute

Research-- Bring your colleagues together to pledge personal or corporate financial support for innovative arthritis research.

Volunteer.... Raise money... Advocate for those who cannot.

Log onto our website or call and tell us, how will you help.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

The Arthritis Foundation is proud of its low management costs and ability to meet the needs of thousands of people within our community. The committed staff and volunteers of the Arthritis Foundation annually develop a targeted business plan to meet the mission and goals of the foundation. The Chapter continuously re-evaluates the effectiveness of programs and services to ensure that we’re meeting the needs of the people we serve. The National Office of the Arthritis Foundation operates with 19% management and fundraising costs and our local chapter spends 21% of our expenses on management and fundraising. This means that approximately 80% of every dollar we receive is spent directly on the programs and services. In an effort to reach more people with every dollar we receive, we spend our efforts on training volunteers to run exercise programs and support groups, which ensures that our programs reach the greatest number of people possible, while incurring minimal costs.

Can I Volunteer? How?

Volunteers are needed to help in a number of areas including health fair representation, course leaders, public speakers and office tasks. Volunteers are needed to plan and implement a variety of special events and programs.

Serve your community while helping the Arthritis Foundation achieve its mission: to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases. Any donation of your time will make a big difference in the fight against arthritis.

https://www.arthritis.org/Communities/Chapters/Volunteer.asp?idchap=32