Call to Action: Help for vets in need of wills

Good morning Prince William – Habitat for Humanity is moving in Manassas! They have secured the old Food Lion store on Hastings Drive as well as a second store in Woodbridge. Volunteers are needed for all kinds of jobs. You won’t want to miss this very exciting time. They also need volunteers to bring lunch for the volunteers, distribute door hangers or shop at Amazon.smile. Come be part of this progressive team. You can sign up online at: habitatpwc.org.

· Virginia Cooperative Extension is looking for volunteers interested in strengthening families. If you would like to become a facilitator for Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) Groups contact Janice at 703-792-4678 or via email [email protected]. All training is provided!

· Volunteers are needed for Public Lands Day at Leesylvania State Park on Saturday September 26th – 9:30am-1pm. Tasks include collecting native tree seeds that will go to local nurseries that grow trees for reforesting efforts across the region. You need close-toed shoes and sharp eyes but they will provide all tools, water, supplies and lunch. You don’t want to miss this great event. You can sign up at: Potomac.org or call (703) 583-6904 for more info.

· Write by the Rails needs volunteers to help on Thursday October 1st with their Fall for the Book Event at Hylton Performing Arts Center. The event is just 6:30-9pm. Please email them at: [email protected] to learn more.

· It’s almost fall – Walk to End Alzheimer’s is gearing up for the Manassas walk on October 17th. Walkers and volunteers needed for this fun event so please visit: www.alzheimersassociationnca.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer. To learn more.

· Literacy Volunteers of America is gearing up for their next tutor training on September 19th and October 3rd. No experience needed just come and share your time to greatly improve the life of another. Please visit their website at: lvapw.org to learn more.

· SERVE in Manassas has an URGENT need for volunteers weekdays and Saturday mornings at their food pantry. Tasks include processing families, stocking shelves, accepting food donations and preparing food packages. Volunteers must be 16+ yrs. old. They would love Spanish speakers but mostly just you! Please email Jan to learn more at: [email protected]

· The ARC cordially invites you to their Respite for the Soul event for any caregiver to a person with disabilities on Saturday September 26th at the McCoart Government Building. It’s just $10 and includes a box lunch. Please email: [email protected] for more info.

· MADD needs volunteers for their Annual 5K Walk/Dash on October 31st at Burke Lake from 7am-noon. Please check out their website at: walklikemadd/northernvirginia.org to learn more.

· Project Mend A House has a need for volunteers at this time. Do you love working with your hands? Would you like to learn more about home repair? Get experience, have fun and give back to your community! Download a volunteer application at www.pmahweb.org. Additionally, they have two super activities this fall for you. First of all gather your friends and families to build a Popsicle House. Its super fun to use your creativity to build the house. You can enter the contest purchase the supplies for just $25. You need to submit your house by October 14th and it will be judged by the fans at the Taste of the Town fundraiser on October 28th. You don’t want to miss either of these two events. Please call (703) 792-7663 to learn more.

· House of Mercy is hosting their 2015 Campaign to End Hunger on Saturday October 17th. Volunteers are needed to work a 2 hour shift and contribute $20. This fee covers the cost of the food ingredients for 150,000 meals. Please call (703) 659-1636 or via email at: [email protected] to learn more

· Prince William Bar Association for sponsoring the Wills for Veterans program. The Bar Association is looking for vets needing Wills, Power of Attorneys and Medical Directives to come to their information sessions to receive this free service. The first session is September 19th, the second session is October 3rd and then you’ll receive your docs on October 24th. Please call Barbara at (703) 792-7175 to register and receive all the specifics of this super project sponsored by the Bar Association.

· Brain Injury Services is looking for a volunteer to teach basic email and web searching skills to a woman in Fairfax City. You can make a world of difference for just a couple of visits a month to bettering the lives of brain injury survivors. They are also looking for volunteers to walk with consumers once or twice a month and have coffee or lunch. In the Lorton area, someone is needed to go swimming or do tai chi. They also could use help in the office which is very flexible as well. Please contact Michelle: [email protected] or by phone: 703-451-8881, ext. 232.

· The 2015 American Heart Association Walk is November 7th in DC. Volunteers are needed as course marshals, set-up, and other assistance. Volunteers must be 16yrs old or be accompanied by an adult. Please visit their website to sign –up at: greaterwashingtonheartwalk.org.

· 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.