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Health & Fitness

Volunteer Arlington Day: Civic involvement helps connect a community

On Saturday, April 21, 2012 and Tuesday April 24, 2012, the Arlington County Government and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce collaborated to offer two volunteer days.

A real estate broker specializing in Arlington VA Real Estate, Eddie Berenbaum is proud Arlingtonian and Broker/Owner of Century 21 Redwood Realty. 

Volunteer Arlington Day: Civic involvement helps connect a community

Arlington is known for engaging its residents in civic activities.  On Saturday, April 21, 2012 and Tuesday April 24, 2012, the Arlington County Government and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce collaborated to offer two volunteer days.  The projects that are selected for Volunteer Day are those suggested by non-profits in Arlington.  Often, the non-profits might not have the time or resources to complete the projects and need help from volunteers.

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The organizers of the event contact for-profit businesses in Arlington to provide help.  Approximately 200 people worked on various projects for this year’s event.  I spoke with one of the sponsors and local Arlington business owner, Jay Reiner, CPA about the significance of the event for him.

Why did you want to participate and sponsor Volunteer Day?

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Jay Reiner:  I have always enjoyed working with non-profits.  The connection to non-profits for me originated with my clients.  I really liked the people working there.  They just had a different mind set.  When you are working at a non-profit, you are there because you fully believe in the cause.  You do it for personal fulfillment and altruistic reasons.  I love what I do, so I can relate to that mind set.  For me it is a matter of personal affinity.

That personal affinity is why I joined the Community Action Committee of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.  There is also personal motivation to get out in front of the community.  I am of the mind set “Givers give, givers get.”  I want the community to know me and I want to build my business around Arlington.  I want to help educate the people of Arlington and other business owners.

I do not just want to be a pencil pusher; it is a personal connection with fellow Arlingtonians.  I am a CPA and my business revolves around taxes.  People get scared of taxes because they worry about the unknown.  I make sure they know me personally and that makes them feel more comfortable.  When they see me out in the community doing volunteer work, they can really relate to me.  In addition, educated, calm clients make better clients because they understand why I am recommending something.  Ultimately, I want to help people.

Why do you enjoy living in Arlington?

Jay Reiner:  I like that it is urban.  I am a New Yorker and lived in Queens and Manhattan.  In Arlington, there are many things to do nearby.  In addition, you can walk everywhere!  My wife and I like that the city is so close by, we can just get on the Rosslyn Metro and arrive downtown in a few minutes.  I also enjoy the networking opportunities that are available.  The people of Arlington are a lot more sophisticated.  They are also more open minded and accepting of diversity.  People in Arlington are open to connecting and are more willing to talk.  Overall, living in Arlington has given us many opportunities.

Lorena Diaz assisted with the writing of this piece. 

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