2019
Together for Warmth: Partnering to Protect Our Homeless Neighbors
March 23 - April 1, 2025
In 2006, after two men experiencing homelessness tragically lost their lives to hypothermia, FACETS and the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness made a promise: no one in our community should ever face the deadly cold alone.
Burke United Methodist Church is proud to join approximately 40 other churches in the FACETS Hypothermia Project, working to provide warmth, safety, and dignity to individuals experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County.
This life-saving program offers more than just shelter. It creates a space of hope and community, reminding our neighbors that they are not alone. Each night, we provide meals, warm beds, and compassionate care—all made possible by dedicated volunteers and generous donors like you.
Together, we can prevent the tragedy of exposure-related deaths and work toward a future where all our neighbors are cared for.
How You Can Help:
A donation update (3/17/25): Thank you Burke Church for your generosity in signing up for all of the food donation items requested for hypothermia! Your support has been amazing. Since there is always some uncertainty what and how much our guests will eat, feel free to send a note to Jim and Malynna Silverthorn (jsilvertho@aol.com) if you are willing to purchase an item mid-week if it looks like we are running low.
Please consider volunteering your time to support the week-long effort, especially to fill the most urgent gaps: assist the bus driver by riding along in the church bus, support evening activities (like BINGO, watching sports, etc.), support the FACETs staff with overnight presence, and help clean up each morning.
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Volunteer Your Time: Help serve meals, welcome guests, or assist with setup and cleanup. Sign up here!
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​To join a Cooking Team for the Hypothermia Project, email Jim and Malynna Silverthorn at jsilvertho@aol.com
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Make a Donation: Your contribution supports the cost of meals, supplies, and staffing.
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Donate online through our secure online giving portal​
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Text "BURKEUMC hypothermia" to 73256 to give using your mobile device
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Mail a check to 6200 Burke Centre Parkway, Burke VA 22015 or drop it off at our church office
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This letter from a hypothermia shelter guest in 2017 demonstrates the real impact that your help will have in others' lives. (Click to enlarge)
Total Homeless Population:
As of the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, 1,310 individuals were experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.
These statistics highlight the growing need for community support, especially during the harsh winter months. By participating in the Hypothermia Project, we can provide immediate relief to this vulnerable population, while living out our commitment to love our neighbors, serve with open hearts, and put our faith into action to create a more just and compassionate world.