Be a good neighbor this week! The weather forecast looks frightful, but please check on your neighbors especially the elderly. We will get lots of requests from seniors for help shoveling their walkways so it’s the perfect opportunity for you to get a little fresh air and exercise while helping emergency management focus on those that don’t have that special neighbor like you! We greatly appreciate all you can do for our neighbors.
· Snow storm volunteers will be needed! – Please check out our website: volunteerprincewilliam.org for all the specifics as the storm comes through and it’s safe for you to be out and about.
· Habitat for Humanity’s new ReStore grand opening has been rescheduled for Saturday January 30th. The ribbon cutting is at 8:45am, doors open at 9am and all the fun festivities of food trucks, bands and amusements are from 11am-3pm. Great party to kick off a very successful program. At the corner of Hastings Road and Dumfries Road.
· Mark your calendars for Monday February 8th for the Baking the Pie with YOUR Dough Program. It’s a special lively panel discussion by opinionated and engaged community advocates addressing the creation of the County’s annual budget. The event is hosted by Our Prince William and PWC SCOPE. This promises to be fun and educational. The free event starts at 6:30pm at the NVCC Woodbridge Campus- Lakeside Theater and open to all. Please register for this event on either organization’s Facebook page: facebook.com/ourprincewilliamva or facebook.com/pwcscope.
· Are you passionate about hunger relief? If so, SERVE Food Assistance Specialist opportunity is the role for you. Duties include: greet clients arriving for assistance and get them checked in, welcome them to the self-serve shopping area and assist them as needed, prepare food packages and check clients out before they leave, among other duties. Volunteer hours are flexible Monday-Saturday. Youth under 16 must volunteer with a parent. Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds. For more info, please contact Jan Hawkins at [email protected]
· Spring is right around the corner! Mark your calendars for Saturday April 2nd for the Civil War Trust Annual Park Clean-up Day at Bristoe Station Battlefield. The event is 8am-12 noon. Come maintain, restore and preserve this little jewel. Duties include litter pick up, trail maintenance, cleaning the cemetery throughout the 140 acre park. Wear sturdy work shoes, bring gloves and don’t forget the sunscreen. Tools and snacks provided, please no pets. Meet at the parking lot off of Iron Brigade Unit Ave. Call Bill at (703) 366-3049 with any questions.
· Disaster Recovery Training designed for Places of Worship to help us in times of disaster. Come learn how we can work together in community recovery. This valuable training is Wednesday February 3rd, 8:30am-1:30pm at the George Mason Prince William Campus. It’s free but please register with Bonnie at:[email protected] or by phone at (571) 292-5302.
· The Retired and Senior Volunteer program is looking for volunteers’ age 55+ to play disaster jeopardy or bingo to the residents of senior living facilities to better prepare them for weather or other disaster event. We need many Vanna and Pat teams for this fun project. Please call Coleen at (571) 292-5307 to learn more.
· Mark your calendars for the 25th Annual Strikes for SERVE Bowl-a-Thon on Saturday March 12th at Bowl America, Mathis Avenue, Manassas from 1-4pm. This super fun event is full of music, prizes and bowling for a great cause. Please visit their website to register at: nvfs.org/bowlathon or call Pam at (571) 748-2537 for more info.
· 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 Prince William Board of County Supervisors has approved an additional $472,000 in federal funding to advance the Ellicott Street Sidewalk Project, a critical initiative to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility in Occoquan. The funding comes through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, bringing the project closer to completion.
The project, which has evolved since its inception, will construct 675 feet of sidewalk along Ellicott Street, connecting Mill Street to Poplar Alley and extending toward Union Street. It also includes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps and crossings to address accessibility concerns. The initiative aims to create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly connection between the town’s historic and business districts and the planned Occoquan Greenway trail.
“The Ellicott Street Sidewalk Project is one of several pedestrian improvement efforts we’ve pursued over the years,” said Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta. “This specific project will create a safer, more contiguous connection to Mill Street and the town’s historic and business district.”
All Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) locations are scheduled to open at 1 p.m on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. This delayed opening is due to ongoing impacts from Winter Storm Blair. Library officials advise that opening times may be adjusted further if weather or road conditions worsen.
The CRRL serves residents in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland counties, offering various services beyond traditional book lending. The library system provides access to technology, community events, educational programs, and resources like homework help, job search tools, and genealogical research. Its facilities include multiple branches, mobile libraries, and digital collections that can be accessed online.
Patrons are encouraged to check the library’s website or social media channels for the most up-to-date information on hours and services.Â
Looking for a musical treat this January? St. George’s Episcopal Church in historic downtown Fredericksburg is hosting a free concert on Sunday, January 19, at 3 p.m., featuring local favorite Hazel Run.
This talented folk group, comprised of Linda LaFave, Karen Richardson, and Stuart Whitford, blends Americana, soul, and rock influences to create a sound you won’t want to miss. While the concert is free, donations are gratefully accepted at the door.
St. George’s is known for its beautiful music in a beautiful space, with a concert series that celebrates both local and visiting talent. You’re warmly invited to enjoy the music and experience the welcoming community at St. George’s.
Stafford County Public Schools announced that Nevaeh Lewis of Colonial Forge High School and Emma Siegmund of Rodney Thompson Middle School have been selected for prestigious roles in Virginia’s legislative programs. Lewis will serve as a House of Delegates Page, while Siegmund has been chosen as a Senate Page. These appointments provide hands-on opportunities to learn about government and leadership during the upcoming General Assembly session in Richmond beginning January 8.
Superintendent Dr. Daniel W. Smith praised the students, stating that these roles will help develop leadership skills and inspire civic engagement. Both programs include working with legislators, participating in committee meetings, and engaging in civics and leadership education. Pages will also take part in mock legislative sessions and community service projects.
Siegmund, a high-achieving middle schooler with a 4.0+ GPA, is active in Model United Nations, the National Junior Honors Society, and other academic programs and is the daughter of county school board chair Maureen Siegmund. Lewis, a talented artist and performer, is also deeply involved in her church and community.
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.
Scheduling is simple and convenient. Choose the option that works best for you:
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:
