Good morning Prince William – The FH Furr Coat Drive for needy children is well under way and we need your help. This week all of the United Bank locations in our community will have specific sizes of NEW coats needed right now for underprivileged kids. Those locations are: Dumfries, Lake Ridge, Liberia Road and Balls Ford Road. We will gladly find a deserving child for any donated coat for age’s birth to 12yrs old but how fun to shop specifically for a child as winter approaches! Other drop off locations includes the Kelly Leadership Center, Battlefield Garden Center and of course Volunteer Prince William. Please call Mary at (703) 369-5292-ext. 4 with any questions.
· Coat Drive – I have one special family that needs a boy’s size 14-16, girl’s size large, women’s large and men’s large. Please call me if you can help this family – (703) 369-5292 ext. 4
· Ho, Ho, Ho – The Un Trim A Tree Holiday Gift Program is underway- sponsors are needed to provide holiday gifts to needy children in the community. We provide the child’s name, age and their 2 wishes from Santa. Please visit our website at: volunteerprincewilliam.org to adopt a child.
· Historic Manassas needs volunteers at the Visitor Center during traditional business hours. This is fun place with people from all over the world stopping in to gather historical information on our community. Please call Erin at (703) 361-6599 for more info.
· Birthright of Manassas needs volunteers to help in the office with basic admin tasks. This organization provides services to women in the Manassas area. Please call Kathy at (703) 361-9769 for more info.
· Buckhall UMC is having their Annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday November 14th from 9am-3pm. This is sure to jumpstart your holiday shopping and bring home some fabulous home baked cakes, pies and bread for the weekend.
· The Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Center needs supplies and basics for their residents such as shower curtains, winter coats, scarves, gloves and socks for adults and children, plus size clothing, bus tokens, winter boots for all as well as underwear, bath towels and blankets. Items can be dropped off at the shelter on Route 1 in Woodbridge or give Pam a call at (571) 748-2537 for more info.
· 2015 Greater Manassas Veterans Day Parade on Saturday November 7th needs volunteers beginning at 7am for orientation at the American Legion Post 10 on Cockrell Road, Manassas. Everything wraps up by 12:30. Please email Russ at: [email protected] if you can help with this wonderful event.
· Prince William Soil & Water needs volunteers on Thursday November 12th for their meaningful watershed experience program for a third grade class. This promises to be a hoot. Please email Alysha at: [email protected] to learn more.
· The VETS Program of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is looking for volunteer’s age 55+ to drive veterans and/or their spouses to their doctors’ appointments. Most of these appointments are local. They especially have a need in the Gainesville, Bristow and Haymarket area. They also have a very special lady with a spinal injury who needs to get to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland. Please call Coleen at (571) 292-5307 to learn more about these vets and how you can give them the ride they need.
· Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers to get the brand new ReStore ready to go. Tasks include flooring, painting, carpentry and others as well to get ready for the opening in late November. Please visit their website at: habitatpwc.org for all the specifics and to register for any of these fun events or email Tammy at: [email protected]
· Nominate your volunteers! The 2016 Virginia Governor’s Volunteerism & Community Service Awards Program is open for you to nominate your wonderful volunteers. It’s really easy to do right on-line at: vavolunteerismawards.org. The deadline for nominations is December 16, 2015 so you have a little time but don’t forget to do it.
· Saved Hands Foundation is looking for volunteers to help with marketing, admin tasks and grant writing. Please call Pamela at (571) 572-9013 to learn more.
· Catholic Charities- Hogar Immigrant Services needs volunteer teachers at their Woodbridge location. Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7-9pm. No experience needed as materials and training provided. Please call Cynthia at (571) 208-1572 ext. 103 to learn more.
· Pathway Homes in Woodbridge needs volunteers as friendly visitors and to help out in their group homes for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Please call Abigail at (703) 876-0390 to learn more about these activities.
· Neighbors in Need are looking for volunteer help in the office answering the phones and other admin duties during daytime hours. Please email Mrs. Cahill at: [email protected] to learn more.
· 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
The Haymarket Town Council is set to meet tonight, Monday, February 3, 2025, at 7 p.m. to receive an update from the town manager on several ongoing projects and initiatives. The meeting will occur at the Council Chambers, located at 15000 Washington St., Suite 100, in Haymarket.
Among the key topics on the agenda, town officials will discuss:
Park Sidewalk Project: Progress continues on the asphalt work, tree planting, and signage installation along Washington Street, with lighting and benches set to be delivered soon.
Stormwater Assessment Program: Officials have identified three major problem areas for stormwater drainage improvements, with full surveying expected to be completed by April 2025.
Town Center Development: Town staff are reviewing the latest submission of the site plan, with discussions focused on prioritization and financing.
Highpointe at Haymarket: The rezoning application for a proposed workforce housing project remains on hold.
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.
The Prince William Mounted Patrol Unit has become a fixture within the police department. Serving on horseback, they go where regular officers cannot.Â
We spoke with Sergeant Jeramy Ramos, one of the officers on the Mounted Patrol Unit, to learn more about their role within the community.Â
The Mounted Patrol Unit was established in 2006 as a part-time unit. Taking inspiration from a similar unit within Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department, the mounted patrol unit, the Prince William Police Department partnered with the National Parks Service at the Manassas National Battlefield Park to load the horses.Â
On Saturday, February 1, 2024, Stafford County Public Schools hosted its highly anticipated Health and Wellness Fair at Colonial Forge High School, drawing hundreds of community members to participate in a day filled with activities, demonstrations, and fun.
The fair offered attendees a variety of informative experiences, including CPR and “Stop the Bleeding” demonstrations. Participants had the opportunity to engage in hands-on training, learning critical life-saving techniques. One popular demonstration involved a “Stop the Bleed” course, where attendees practiced applying pressure and gauze to a simulated wound, preparing them to respond effectively in an emergency situation.
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.
