Kristina Schnack Kotlus
Schools and Education Reporter
Local Businesses in the Potomac Communities are helping to ensure students are geared up for fall. Each year numerous students return to school without the necessary supplies they need to participate in class. Local businesses are hoping to inspire residents to help ensure every child has the basic supplies they need.
In Stafford, Apple Federal Credit Union has helped to coordinate a drive called “Stuff the Bus” in cooperation with numerous other business partners who are acting as drop-off sites. Booz Allen Hamilton, Costco and Rioch are also helping to support this endeavor. Donations are needed by August 20 for the “Stuff the Bus” program. School supply lists and details are available on their website, and a list of drop-off sites is below.
In Woodbridge, Chick-fil-A on the Prince William County Parkway is offering not only a drop-off site, but an incentive. Any customer who donates $5 of school supplies will receive a free original or spicy chicken sandwich.
Numerous local churches are also collecting backpacks, including Freedom Fellowship in Dale City and New Hope Church in Lorton. Apple Federal’s Stuff the Bus Program also occurs in Prince William County with drop off sites throughout Manassas and Woodbridge. Century 21 New Millennium will also be collecting school supplies through August 17th.
Larger companies, such as office supply giant Staples, run programs out of their own buildings and will have collection bins placed in stores through mid-September.
Stafford Drop Off Locations:
Apple Federal Credit Union, 50 Dunn Drive
Chick-fil-A, 25 Dunn Drive
Chick-fil-A 1094, International Parkway
GEICO, One GEICO Blvd
NextCare Urgent Care, 15 S. Gateway Drive
NextCare Urgent Care, 330 White Oak Road
NextCare Urgent Care, 325 Garrisonville Road
Stafford County Public Schools, 31 Stafford Avenue
Stafford County Social Services, 1300 Courthouse Road
Storage 2000, 2865 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Storage 2000, 521 Garrisonville Road
Walmart-Stafford Lakes, 11 Village Parkway
Prince William County Drop Off Locations:
Chick-fil-A 2425 Prince William Parkway
Freedom Fellowship Church, 4320 Dale Boulevard
Apple Federal Manassas Branch, 8745 Mathis Avenue
Apple Federal Woodbridge Branch, 14229 Potomac Mills Road
Jackie’s Teacher Store, 4373 Dale Boulevard
Office Depot, 14053 Crossing Place
Super Walmart, 17041 Jefferson Davis Highway
Century 21 New Millenium, 12581 Milstead Way, Suite 400
Recent Stories
ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.
Looking for a new best friend? Meet Echo, a 3-4-month-old pup full of love, energy, and curiosity. This little guy, possibly a Boxer mix, is still finding his voice, but…
Should Virginia ditch the longstanding practice of electing the General Assembly and the governor in odd year elections?
The first odd year election in Virginia was in 1851, after a new state Constitution was approved and members of the House were elected to a two-year term. Before that, members of the House had one-year terms, and voters selected members every single year.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says modern day voters are sick and tired of voting every year.
A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.
According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
