Meet Rosslyn’s COVID-19 heroes

The confusion and uncertainty brought on by COVID-19 hasn't deterred our businesses and retailers, who continue to work tirelessly to support the Rosslyn neighborhood and beyond during these unprecedented times. We’ve compiled a few examples of the ways in which our local restaurants, fitness centers and businesses are supporting their employees and giving back to the community, as we all learn to navigate the challenges of COVID-19 together. We’d also like to recognize our hardworking Ambassadors; our friends in Arlington County government, police and fire departments; and local healthcare professionals for working to keep everyone safe and informed. 

FITNESS

Anytime Fitness, 1919 N Lynn St., (571) 339-1919

It can be difficult to find time to prioritize your physical well being when you’re confined to your home. To keep you on track for your 2020 fitness goals, Anytime Fitness will be offering free Home Build and Home Burn workouts on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, nutrition guides on Tuesdays and lifestyle advice on Thursdays. Follow along with Anytime Fitness throughout the week here via Instagram, @afrosslynva, and download their app for iOS or Android.

Good Sweat, 1711 Wilson Blvd., (571) 970-3591

In an effort to help people maintain their fitness routine, Good Sweat’s “Virtual Studio” offering includes pre-recorded classes (4 on bike, 4 off bike) released every Sunday. Currently, the classes are free for members and $20/week for non-members. The studio is also providing live workouts via Zoom, with a mix of on and off bike workouts daily; free for Unlimited Members and just $5 to drop in on a class. Check out the schedule here. Additionally, Good Sweat continues to stay true to their mission by donating back to nonprofits in need, including AFAC, ASPAN, Christ House, Martha's Table, Miriam's Kitchen, and SOME DC. 

BUSINESS SUPPORT

AE Works

Building design and consulting firm AE Works recognizes that effective management and leadership are critical for business success during these challenging times. To help leaders cope with the unpredictability of the market and prepare for business success after the pandemic, the company shared an on-demand webinar with renowned organizational psychologist Richard Citrin and workplace safety & security expert Herb Brychta. By offering actionable ideas to support business resiliency, AE Works hopes to serve as a resource for business leaders currently facing operational challenges.

Deloitte

As companies adapt to an evolving business landscape, Deloitte understands that business leaders are increasingly concerned with the ways in which their companies will be affected, and what happens next. In an effort to help leaders through these uncertain times, Deloitte Global CEO, Punit Renjen, recently published this guide outlining steps for resilient leadership in response to COVID-19. The guide includes tips and advice to ensure the well being of your business now, while arming leaders with the tools to emerge stronger on the other side of the crisis. 

Gartner, Inc.

Gartner is another company working to help enterprise leaders and their teams deal with the disruption and uncertainty resulting from COVID-19. To help business leaders prepare for these unprecedented shifts, Gartner has compiled a collection of resources to deliver insights and advice to Gartner clients and community members alike. View on-demand webinars and read up on a variety of articles and research that could help your business here.

Higher Logic

Higher Logic, a Rosslyn-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) engagement platform, is helping organizations dealing with the cancellation of in-person events tackle this new and challenging work environment. To show their support for business struggling as a result of COVID-19, Higher Logic is providing these services free-of-charge to anyone with events scheduled between April 1 and December 31, 2020. By leveraging Higher Logic’s platform, organizers will be able maximize the impact of virtual events without the inherent risks of in-person gatherings.

Ostendio

Rosslyn-based Ostendio is an Integrated Risk Management Platform provider that has been supporting customers with free licenses of its MyVCM Select platform, in an effort to help companies with their security planning during this challenging time. With so many workers going remote, it is more vital than ever that businesses focus on Business Continuity planning and place an emphasis on security posture. As such, Ostendio is also offering a free COVID-19 template for existing customers, so that they can share it with their vendors to evaluate risks. Ostendio recognizes the challenges presented by this rapidly changing work landscape, and is doing its part to help businesses remain vigilant in an evolving environment.

Nestlé

Nestlé is also taking an active role in responding to COVID-19 through a partnership with Freshly to donate $500,000 to Meals on Wheels America. This donation will go toward the delivery of 40,000 meals to home-bound seniors nation-wide, as vulnerable seniors represent the population at the greatest risk of contracting the virus. If you wish to contribute to the Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund, you can make a donation here. 

RESTAURANTS

District Taco, 1500 Wilson Blvd., (571) 290-6854 

As COVID-19 continues to threaten job security globally, District Taco has maintained the mantra that their employees are family. They are providing paid sick leave for all salaried and hourly employees, and are actively working to extend coverage to those teammates that are in need. During this time, they have also expanded their free employee meal plan to ensure staff are able to provide food for their families.

Happy Endings Eatery, corner of Moore/Lynn St., (571) 800-1881

Profits from orders will benefit staff who've been affected by the current crisis. And for every entree ordered, they will donate one bowl of phở to community organizations. "We’ve always been blessed with love and support from everyone: our guests, our HEH Family and the entire DMV community and it’s our turn to step up for them during this difficult time," said Tuyet-Nhi Le, co-founder of Happy Endings Hospitality. "The silver lining is that it forces our HEH family to work together and come up with creative win-win-win solutions." More information on "Operation Deliver Happiness" is linked here.

Jimmy John’s, 1512 Clarendon Blvd., (703) 358-9700

Before making the difficult decision to close their doors, Jimmy John’s was another example of a local restaurant working to support those in our community that might be disproportionately affected by COVID-19. In addition to giving away their day old bread for free on a daily basis to families in need (no purchase necessary), Jimmy John’s also delivered a free meal to a homebound senior in our community every day.

Open Road & Salt, 1201 Wilson Blvd., (703) 876-6060

As employees continue to be affected by shifting hours and wages lost, the Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG) will be donating 100 percent of every gift card purchase to hourly employees. This offer pertains to MHG owned Rosslyn restaurants, Open Road and the attached cocktail bar, Salt. You can contribute to this fund for hourly employees via the purchase of a gift card to Open Road or Salt here.

Sfoglina Pasta House, 1100 Wilson Blvd., (202) 525-1402

In recognition of the impact restaurant closures have had on employees, local Italian eatery Sfoglina is working to establish a relief fund for those who are now facing financial instability. The fund will be made available to those employees that, as a result of COVID-19, will no longer be able to pay for such essentials as food or medicine. Details for contributing to the relief fund are linked here. Additionally, 50% of gift card sales will go directly to the Fabio Trabocchi Disaster Relief Fund.

South Block, 1550 Wilson Blvd., (703) 465-8423

In an effort to combat the effects of recent hardships, South Block has also taken steps to consider the impact on its employees. As a result, South Block will be giving 100% of gift card sales purchased now through March 31, 2020 to help their employees who have been affected by closures and hours lost due to COVID-19. They are also supporting Arlington County kids on reduced and free meal programs through their nonprofit, fruitfulplanet.org. Fruitful Planet was established to help support underserved families and kids throughout our community. South Block works with other local organizations, such as Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) to provide and distribute free fruits and veggies to those in need. 

Thai Select, 1713 Wilson Blvd., (703) 567-7527

With more and more members of our community facing lost jobs or wages daily, Thai Select is supporting local families in need by helping to put a hot meal on the table. Between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., the restaurant is offering meals that are packed and ready for pick-up in convenient warmer boxes in front of the restaurant. Through this initiative, Thai Select hopes to spread the message that full stomachs and open hearts will bind us together through this challenging time.

INDIVIDUALS

Larry Williams, U.S. Postal Service Mail Carrier

A longtime local mail carrier servicing the Rosslyn area, Larry Williams has continued his duties in the community throughout COVID-19 with a smile on his face. Locals have come to count on Larry's shining attitude and positive outlook for over 30 years, and it's individuals like him that bind our community together during even the most trying times. If you know of local Rosslyn hero like Larry that should be featured on this list, let us know! Please email communications@rosslynva.org with a name and brief description of why they should be included, and we'll do our best to honor their contributions to our community.

#RosslynRewards for our Restaurants

The Rosslyn BID remains dedicated to supporting our local businesses as the community adjusts to life amid COVID-19. That’s why we’re giving away #RosslynRewards for those continuing to patronize our restaurants through takeout, pickup or delivery options! When you share your order on social media, we'll give you a $10 reward for every $20 you spend. Full details about this initiative, including rules and regulations, at rosslynva.org/rewards.

For more on what you can do to stay prepared and informed as we continue to adapt as a community to this new normal, visit our continuously updated list of resources here.