Good morning – Put your walking shoes on to support the Manassas Police Association at their Annual Walkathon on Saturday June 13th. This fun event is sponsored by the BAPS Charities and begins with a kick-off at 8am and the walk at 9am. Please visit their website to register for this fun event at: bapscharities.org/walk2015manassas. This promises to be great fun and for a great cause.
Transitional Housing BARN needs volunteers for their next Yard Sale on Saturday June 13th. 8am-12noon. This event is always fun. Great activity for all. Please call Tammy at (703) 369-1325 for more info
SERVE has an urgent need for volunteers for two special events. First is their annual inventory of the food pantry on Thursday June 25th – you can pick either the morning shift of 9am-1pm or the afternoon shift 1-4pm. Volunteers must be at least 16yrs old. The second event is inventory at the Save N Serve Thrift Store on Friday June 26th from 8am-12 noon. Volunteers age 16+ are very welcome!! Please email Jan at [email protected] to learn more and sign up for these two important activities at SERVE.
BEACON Adult Literacy is looking for volunteers this summer for their conversation classes. You do not need to speak a second language as they will give you all the skills needed to make a significant improvement in another’s life. Classes are held in Manassas both morning and evening starting June 22nd and ending July 30th. Please call Caroline at (703) 368-7491 to learn more.
Brain Injury Services is looking for volunteers to help with programming efforts with the volunteer programs. Please call Michelle at (703) 451-8881 ext.232 to learn more.
Division of Historic Preservation is gearing up for spring projects at the Julie Metz Wetlands Preserve in Woodbridge. Volunteers are needed to help with trail and stream clean-up, development of interpretive materials and education programs. These volunteer opportunities continue through the fall. Please call Rebecca at (703) 499-9812 to learn more about this county treasure.
Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers in their ReStore in Manassas. This is a super fun place full of donors and customers. It’s a great place to volunteer for either a morning or afternoon shift. Please visit: habitatpwc.org to sign up and view their volunteer calendar.
The 150th Anniversary of the Juneteenth Celebration is Saturday June 20th from 11am-4pm. Volunteers are needed for helping with games for the kids, set-up, greeters and other fun jobs. Please call Katie at (703) 792-4620 to learn more this event.
If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call my wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William. Coleen can help you with the Retired and Senior Volunteer (RSVP) opportunities at (703) 369-5292 ext. 1, Shelley can help with any individual or group project and send you weekly updates if you’d like. Shelley is at (703) 369-5292 ext. 0, and Bonnie can help you with opportunities available in Disaster Preparedness at (703) 369-5292 ext. 3. Please visit our newly re-vamped website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.
Call to Action is a column written by Volunteer Prince William Director Mary Foley.
Recent Stories
Germanna Community College (GCC) hosted a ribbon cutting at its new Stafford expansion today, January 23, 2025. The event marked the opening of two buildings in Stafford: the Barbara J. Fried Building at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at 25 Center Street.
GCC was established in 1970 as part of Virginia’s Community College System and has locations in Culpeper, Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. The school’s website says over 13,000 students are enrolled.
The new expansion added 74,000 square feet to the campus with a $20 million investment. GCC plans to double enrollment in allied health services, like nursing. They will also expand their cybersecurity, IT, general education, and dual enrollment programs.
The preliminary hearing for Tryevon Davis, one of three men charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Jason Thomas Blake in Dumfries, has been delayed due to the pending completion of the Medical Examiner’s report. This critical evidence is being handled by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Northern District office.
Davis, along with Jerrome Thomas Barnes, 40, and Jackson Arthur Crisler, 30, face charges stemming from a fatal shooting on October 25, 2024. Police said Blake had gone to a residence on Cherry Hill Road in Dumfries to sell a firearm and purchase narcotics. An altercation ensued, leading to Blake being handcuffed, abducted, and taken to a secluded area along Triangle Street, where he was fatally shot. His body was discovered two days later in the backseat of his car.
The Prince William County Police Department charged Davis, 31, of Dumfries, with accessory before the fact in the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit a felony, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and abduction. Barnes and Crisler face additional charges, including murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. All three suspects remain in custody without bond.
The Fourth Wish Foundation will hold a special white belt graduation ceremony on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Underground Krav Maga and Fitness in Gainesville.
The event celebrates the achievements of 54 children who have completed three months of Krav Maga training as part of the foundation’s “Healthy Kid Initiative,” a program launched in 2024 to provide extracurricular opportunities to children from financially challenged families.
“We want to ensure these children can continue with this worthy program that has already made such a positive impact on their lives,” said Sue Khalatbari, Director of The Fourth Wish Foundation. The foundation is seeking donations to sustain and expand the initiative, helping more children gain confidence, physical fitness, and critical life skills.
A debate over proposed legislation targeting panhandling in road medians sparked a spirited discussion among Stafford County Supervisors during their January 21 meeting. The proposed bill, sponsored by Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford County), seeks to impose fines on motorists and pedestrians who exchange items in roadway medians to improve safety and reduce traffic disruptions.
The legislation was also a topic of discussion on the Potomac Local News Podcast, where Milde elaborated on his rationale behind the bill in an interview with Publisher Uriah Kiser.
During the podcast, Milde emphasized the safety and traffic issues posed by panhandling in medians.
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.
