Good morning Prince William – Mark your calendars for the next free concert at Battlefield Garden Center on Friday August 19th, 6-10pm. This is a fun family friendly event with moon bounce and activities for the kids, live music by the No Pressure Band and local crafters. Food drinks available for sale that all benefit the Un Trim A Tree Holiday Gift Program for needy kid’s right here in our community. Cheers to Battlefield Garden Center for their sponsorship of this wonderful summer concert series. The center is located at 4641 Sudley Road, Catharpin, Va- see you there!
· Saved Hands Foundation needs school supplies for their 3rd Annual Back to School program for needy kids. Please pick up a few extra notebooks, book bags, paper tablets, crayons, pens/pencils, ruler or school paper while you’re out and about and drop them off at the Prince William Free Clinic, 13900 Church Hill Drive Woodbridge on Saturday, August 27th from 9am-12 noon. Many thanks for your support.
· The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program –RSVP needs volunteers age 55+ to present a fun disaster preparedness program to 4th-grade students throughout the community. The program will teach the kids critical life skills to keep them safe when they are home alone. It’s so easy and doesn’t take much time out of your day. Training provided! Benefits also include additional insurance, a mileage stipend, recognition events but most importantly helping us with a growing community need as we try to branch out to help dialysis patients. Please email Jan at: [email protected] to learn more.
· Attention landowners! Semper K9 Assistance Dogs lost their lease and is looking for a new home for both the caretakers and the dogs in training. This super organization just graduated 3 service dogs this week to veterans! Please email them at: [email protected] learn more about their needs.
· The Prince William Health District is looking for volunteers to implement a brand new hypertension and diabetes initiative. You don’t need any prior health experience and training is provided. This opportunity has flexible hours and locations. Please email Lesha at: [email protected] for more info
· Cheers to all the athletes in Rio this month and huge cheers to the Special Olympics athletes! Volunteer coaches or helpers are needed for the fall sports programs starting soon. Please email Peggy at: [email protected] for all the specifics. Soccer begins August 21st, Running Club – September 3rd, Bocce – September 8th, Bowling – September 10th, Powerlifting- October 27th- or check out their calendar at: pwsocalendar.azurewebsites.net/client. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to work with this super group of people.
· StreetLight Ministries in Woodbridge offers a number of services to homebound seniors and other fragile clients. Volunteers are needed to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping and other simple chores. Please email Rev. Powers [email protected] to learn the many ways you can help another in the greater Woodbridge community.
· Historic Manassas is gearing up for the Bands, Brews, and BBQ festival on September 10th. They need 60 people to poor beer from noon to 6pm. There will be two shifts for pourers and over 50 craft beers and siders for sampling! Contact Erin at: [email protected].
· Mark your calendar for Saturday September 16th for the 19th Annual Evening under the Stars to benefit CASA’s advocacy for over 500 abused children. It’s the place to be with all your friends and for a great cause. Please visit their website at: casacis.org for more info and tickets.
· Walk to end Alzheimer’s is coming up on October 15 in Manassas at the Harris Pavilion – visit their web site for details on walking and volunteering! Volunteers are especially needed for event set-up, advocacy, finish line brigade and route monitoring. This promises to be a super fun day. www.alzheimersassociationnca.volunteerlocal.com.
· If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call my wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William. Jan 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 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 “Souper Bowl” returns to Historic Downtown Manassas for First Friday on February 7, 2025, with a sold-out crowd ready to sample soups from top local restaurants. Attendees will explore downtown, tasting a diverse selection of soups—from classic Tomato Basil Bisque to bold Pork Belly Ramen and Cocoa Cloud Dessert Soup—served at various businesses. Participants will vote for their favorite, crowning one soup the ultimate winner. With new contenders and returning favorites, the event promises a flavorful journey. Missed out this year? Stay tuned for next year’s Souper Bowl and more exciting First Friday events in Manassas.
Award-winning brand Always Flavored is relocating across the street from 610 to 619 Caroline St., with plans to open by March 31, 2025. The move allows for an expanded selection of hot sauces, seasonings, and gourmet products, plus tastings and events.
The announcement comes as the brand celebrates recent award wins:
Ritabeata’s Mild Sauce – 2nd place (International Flavor Awards)
Peri Peri Sauce – 3rd place (2025 Scovie Awards)
A grand opening celebration is planned.
In this Potomac Local News Podcast episode, host Uriah Kiser sits down with Craig Wade, President of the Prince William Association of Realtors, and Matthew Rathbun, President-Elect of the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors. They discuss the latest trends in the local real estate market, the impact of rising interest rates, and the challenges first-time homebuyers face in Northern Virginia.
The conversation also dives into the region’s housing inventory, with insights on the growing demand for homes and the lack of affordable options, especially in areas like Prince William, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. Craig and Matthew share their predictions for 2025, the future of smart growth, and the importance of balancing development with affordability.
Looking for a furry friend who can steal your heart? Look no further than Chloe, the 5-year-old Maremma Sheepdog, waiting for her forever home at the Prince William County Animal Shelter.
Chloe isn’t just any dog—she’s an Italian superstar in livestock protection, with a personality as impressive as her heritage. This lovable lady may have a calm and gentle demeanor, but don’t let her laid-back attitude fool you—she’s a heart-stealer extraordinaire!
Chloe is ready to charm her way into your home, and she’s patiently waiting for someone special to give her the love she deserves. Are you ready to make room for Chloe in your life?
Visit the Prince William County Animal Shelter today to meet Chloe and other wonderful animals available for adoption. For more information or to contact the shelter, visit www.pwcva.gov/department/animal-services. Don’t wait—come see Chloe today, and you might just find your new best friend!
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.
