Fairfax — They enjoyed food, drink, games, live music and socializing with friends. But those attending the recent fundraiser for FACETS also opened up their hearts and wallets to make the event a huge success.

Some 300 people participated in the 17th annual “A Taste of Fall with FACETS,” Nov. 5, at the Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax. And by evening’s end, they’d contributed more than $80,000.

“The amazing support for our Taste of Fall event shows the heart our community has,” said FACETS Executive Director Margi Preston. “Businesses and residents alike care about making our community stronger. Their support of FACETS’s work is alleviating poverty and homelessness in Fairfax, making the lives of neighbors better,”

This year’s event had a “Carnival of Cultures” theme, celebrating the diverse cultures represented by FACETS’s program participants. Guests sampled an array of food and beverages from local restaurants, wineries and breweries. Participants included: Amphora, Kona Grill, The Auld Shebeen, Coyote Grille, Caribbean Corner – Fairfax, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit - Merrifield, California Pizza Kitchen, TGI Fridays, Paradise Springs Winery and Rosemary’s Thyme Bistro.

ATTENDEES also dressed up in funny accessories for a photo booth, played carnival games and bid on items in both silent and live auctions. Providing the musical entertainment was Katie & Logan Acoustic Duo, who sang and played guitar.

Dignitaries attending included Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34th), Fairfax City Council members Janice Miller, David Meyer, Ellie Schmidt and Michael DeMarco, and former City Councilman Dan Drummond.

“I volunteer at the hypothermia shelter at Fairfax United Methodist Church, and the FACETS staff helps the volunteers every night with the homeless in the wintertime – and they do a phenomenal job,” said Meyer. “They transport the homeless to the church to stay overnight in the winter, and this program has been very successful in preventing people from dying of the cold. It’s a critically important program.”

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) wasn’t able to attend the event, but wrote a special message that was included in the program. In it, he commended FACETS for its nearly 30 years of service to the community.

“I am proud to have been a partner in these efforts since the early days delivering hot meals with FACETS Founder Linda Wimpey,” he wrote. “Linda was instrumental in developing the 10-year plan to prevent and end homelessness implemented in 2008 during my tenure as chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.”

“The efforts of organizations like FACETS, in conjunction with their public and private partners, have produced significant results,” continued Connolly. “I personally thank the staff, volunteers, partners and supporters who are working to provide real change in people’s lives.”

In Fairfax County, 1,059 people are homeless. It’s a significant amount, but it also marks a 42-percent decrease, since 2008, in the number of homeless people here. Furthermore, it demonstrates the success of the various strategies implemented by the county and by local nonprofit organizations over the past eight years.

FACETS works throughout the county to help impoverished men, women and children succeed by offering services such as emergency shelter, food and medical care, as well as financial assistance, counseling and outreach, educational enrichment programs and housing. And “A Taste of Fall” helps support these life-changing services geared toward breaking and ending the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

“It is because of our caring community [that] we have come so far in the fight to end homelessness in Fairfax County, but we still have more work to do,” said FACETS spokeswoman Shawn Flaherty. “At FACETS, we are growing our programs to strengthen the support we provide to our neighbors in need. With the community’s help, we can continue to provide long-term solutions and life-saving services.”

DURING THE NOV. 5 FUNDRAISER, Preston told the crowd how much she appreciated their participation. “Your attendance here tonight and your support help us help our neighbors in need overcome the effects of poverty,” she said. “Together, we provide them with food, a roof over their heads and hope for a brighter future. We’re here tonight because we care. And with you by our side, we’ll continue moving forward to a time when no one is homeless.”

Agreeing, FACETS Chairman of the Board Bob Grimmett said, “It takes a collaborative effort to make a positive change in our community. And we’ve aligned ourselves with several businesses to do this.”

Stepping next to the podium was Jim Corcoran, president and CEO of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. “We represent more than 500,000 employees, and the businesses they work for help our community thrive. Our focus is on ending homelessness, and we partner with nonprofits like FACETS where the business community is there to assist with their mission.”

Also speaking was FACETS client Ruby Ledbetter, who participates in the organization’s program for single adults. She graduated from Catholic University in 1985 with a degree in social work, and she and her husband had eight children – one with a severe handicap. “My husband was our source of support; but Alzheimer’s creeped into our life and he died in 2001,” she said. “Then our whole life became a strain.”

By 2006, they were homeless. And after working 23 years as a school social worker, Ledbetter lost her job in 2010. “FACETS helped me with counseling, food, transportation and a place to stay,” she said. “I now have a good job, my own apartment and am a grandmother of 15. I’m here today because of your help and support.”