Woodbridge, Va. — It’s Thanksgiving morning and 20 volunteers crammed a small kitchen in Woodbridge.
“Hand me a Crock Pot, that one over there,” a woman exclaims.
“Is there a bigger one?” one man asked.
“Here, use this one and take it out to the dining room,” another said.
In a kitchen so small, about the size of a large bedroom in a town home, at the Volunteers of America Chesapeake Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Center, volunteers are working tirelessly to cook a Thanksgiving feast for some of the neediest residents in the Potomac Communities.
This Thanksgiving, the shelter on U.S. 1 has 11 adults and 14 children who call it a temporary home, with nine of the children under age three.
The dinner, an annual tradition, will be more than enough to feed them but it will also feed the volunteers and their families, as well as anyone else who may be hungry this day – food for up to 100 people, organizers said.
“I’m here because I want my daughter to know that she is blessed and we love helping people,” said Dawn Young, of Lake Ridge. A first-time volunteer at the Woodbridge shelter, she brought her 11-year-old daughter, Tyler, to help.
As Tyler was mixing the mashed potatoes, others were cooking three of the five turkeys that were going to be eaten. Sitting in the dining room was ham, sides and deserts, as well as a cardboard cutout of President Obama, whom residents here say is “always invited to dinner.”
Organizers said 97 people showed up for dinner Thursday. They ate about 1 p.m.
A staple of the shelter, a man who simply goes by J.D., once lived in a tent in the woods before he moved into the shelter three years ago, and now lives in a basement apartment he rents in Woodbridge.
He credits the shelter for not only providing him with a hot meal today, but with saving his life.
“I turn 56 this Sunday. The doctor said I was going to live to see 54,” he said.
After years of drinking, smoking and living in the elements, J.D. was given just months to live. His health and outlook changed after he moved into the shelter.
“These are good people around here, and they saved my life and I’ll always be thankful for that,” he said.
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Prince William County government offices and facilities will be open on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Still, employees can take unscheduled leave or engage in unscheduled telework due to current weather conditions.
While the county remains open for business, residents are encouraged to check for the latest updates on facility-specific operations by visiting pwcva.gov/emergency.
Some county services may be impacted by the weather. Before visiting a county facility, call ahead or check the county’s website.
Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Wednesday, January 8, 2025, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions.
Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGO!) announced that transit service, which was suspended on Tuesday due to winter weather, is expected to resume at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8. Residents relying on public transportation are encouraged to plan accordingly and check for updates before traveling.
In addition to transit disruptions, the city’s trash collection schedule has been adjusted. Monday’s missed routes resumed today, and services will shift forward by one day for the remainder of the week. Tuesday’s trash will be collected on Wednesday, Wednesday’s on Thursday, and so on.
The City of Fredericksburg’s Public Works Department continues its efforts to clear snow and ice from roadways. Primary collector roads are reported to be in good condition, but some residential and collector roads remain compacted with snow and ice. Crews are applying plowing and chemical treatments as necessary to address these areas. As temperatures drop overnight, roads may refreeze, and drivers are urged to exercise caution when traveling.
The City also reminds property owners and occupants of their obligation to clear sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Snow and ice must be removed within 12 hours after snowfall ends, or by noon the following day if precipitation occurs overnight or on a Sunday. Sand or abrasives may be used if removal isn’t feasible. Residents and businesses are also responsible for clearing ADA access ramps to ensure safe pedestrian passage.
The animals below are STRAYS turned into the PWC Animal Services Center between 01/03/2025 – 01/06/2025. We post photos of stray animals brought to the Center a couple of times each week to help owners find their missing pets.
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
We’re offering a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore how therapy can work for you. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, looking for support, or just want to talk things through, this is the perfect opportunity to take that first step toward a healthier, happier you.
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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.
Featuring:
