Good morning Prince William – 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. This promises to put you in the spirit! I still have over 1400 children needing toys. Please visit our website at: volunteerprincewilliam.org for more info and fill out a donor form. I can provide all the info on the child right away. You can be shopping tomorrow!
· The Manassas Christmas Parade still needs a few volunteers to help out along the parade route in Old Town Manassas on Saturday December 5. This is tons of fun. Please email Nora at: [email protected] for more info.
· SERVE is looking for 3 groups who can make 80 sack lunches for a Nutrition Education Outreach for children on December 5th. The sack lunches need to be assembled and delivered to SERVE on December 4th. Groups provide the food, lunch bags, sandwich bags and napkins. Come be part of the solution of teaching our kids good eating habits. Please email Jan at: jhawkins@nvfs,org for more info.
· 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.
· The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to ring the bells at Red Kettles at area Walmart, Giant and Safeway stores between now and Christmas Eve. This program helps people throughout the year. Please call Katie at (703) 618-0511 to learn more.
· Meals on Wheels is looking for a volunteer to coordinate the service to the Gainesville/Haymarket area. Duties include picking up the meals at the Manassas Senior Center and delivering them to the warming station in Gainesville so other volunteers can deliver them to the seniors in the area. There has been a tremendous increase of seniors in the Gainesville area needing nice warm lunchtime meal and this volunteer opportunity sounds like a wonderful solution. Please call Melodee at (703) 792-4583 to learn more.
· The Novant Health Foundation is looking for volunteers to serve on their Gala Committee. Duties include securing donations for the auction at their Annual Gala on February 27, 2016. This is a big event that helps tons of people in our community. Please call Abby at (703) 369-8201 to learn more
· 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.
· 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 do have one client needing a ride from Manassas to Landsdown on December 8th. 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 as well as the current location. Tasks include getting donations on the floor- especially all the holiday decorations. 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.
· 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
In a unique and chilly demonstration, residents of Fredericksburg gathered Wednesday to protest a proposed data center development near the Rappahannock River by building snowmen.
Organized by the Rappahannock Community Coalition, the “Snowmen Against Data Centers” rally took place just one day after nearly 10 inches of snow blanketed the region. The snowmen were erected on the Mary Washington University Campus, City Hall, and a house off Harrell Road in Stafford County.
Fredericksburg’s Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has a new star in its kitchen: Chef Stefan Boutchyard. With experience spanning local restaurants and high-profile catering events—including President Donald Trump’s inauguration—Boutchyard is revamping the dinner theater’s menu. His first creation? A Southern-inspired menu for Heartbreak Hotel, featuring Elvis-themed dishes like cornbread waffles and Viva Las Vegas shrimp cocktail. Looking ahead, he’s planning Mediterranean flavors for Jesus Christ Superstar and launching an interactive sushi-making class. Click the link and read the whole story.
Prince William County’s State of the Parks event, initially scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Forest Park High School, has been postponed due to weather conditions and other considerations.
The State of the Parks event, set to feature insights from Prince William County Parks and Recreation Director Seth Hendler-Voss, will be rescheduled, with a new date and time to be announced soon.
“We want to ensure that all participants have the best possible experience and that the event can take place safely and under optimal conditions,” officials stated in their announcement.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors is considering a zero-tax-increase budget for 2025, which has drawn community members’ support and concern. During the February 4, 2025, meeting, parents and education advocates urged the board to fund Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) fully, emphasizing the need for higher teacher salaries, facility repairs, and student resources.
Speaking during the public comment period, Shannon Fingerholtz, a parent from the Hartwood District, called on the board to take responsibility for properly funding Stafford schools.
“Our students, our teachers, our staff, our community require a quality school system,” Fingerholtz said. “Quality means decently paid staff, buildings in good repair, and adequate materials. These all require funding.”
A Night on the Riviera
Experience a magical evening at the Embassy of France with A Night on the Riviera, an event that will transport you to the glamour of the French Riviera while celebrating the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras!
Indulge in an exquisite selection of French wines and champagne, paired with the finest French cuisine prepared by the talented Chef of the Embassy of France. Additionally, Chef Hugh Cossard will be carving ham live, ensuring freshness and exceptional flavor. Don’t miss out on the authentic French crêpes, made to order and sure to transport you straight to the streets of Nice.
For those seeking an extra touch of exclusivity, the VIP experience includes unlimited champagne, adding an extra layer of sophistication to this festive celebration.
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:
(Webinar) Diet & Dementia: Brain-Healthy Tips to Reduce Your Risk…
Did you know that your food choices can impact your risk of developing dementia?
Kick off National Nutrition Month with an educational discussion on Wednesday, March 5 at 12 PM EST with Sunday Health dementia neurologist Dr. Sara Doyle and
