Good morning Prince William – Come to the Annual Boo Ball to support over 5,500 children in our Un Trim A Tree Holiday Gift program on Saturday, October 22nd, 6:30-12pm. This fun event is a partnership with Volunteer Prince William and the Manassas Moose Lodge. Dinner, dancing, and specialty drink for just $35. Please purchase your tickets online at: volunteerprincewilliam.org- it’s about a kid and a toy- Help us make dreams come true!
· The Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Center is looking for volunteers to help at the front desk on weekdays. Tasks include welcoming guests, answering the phone or assist residents and staff with admin projects. Volunteers must be 18 yrs. +. Please call Paola at (571) 748-2674 for more info.
· Prince William Health District is giving free flu shots to anyone age three yrs. + on October 20th from 2:30-6:30pm at Manassas Park High School-8200 Euclid Ave.
· Prince William Area Free Clinic is looking for volunteer Pharmacists on Tuesday evenings from 3-7pm at their Woodbridge clinic. Please fill out an application at: pwafc.org/our-team.
· Leesylvania State Park needs volunteers for their Fall Festival on Saturday, October 22nd from 5-9pm. Fun jobs include games for the kids, actors for the haunted history hike-yikes! And costume contest. Please call (703) 583-6904 to learn more.
· Got Drugs? Take them to a drop-off point on October 22 – Drug Take Back Event. Sponsored by NOVANT, SENTARA, and UVA medical systems. Drop off locations include Novant Health UVA System, PW Medical Center, 8640 Sudley Rd., Manassas; Sentara Lake Ridge, 12825 Minnieville Rd.; Novant Health UVA System, 15225 Heathcote Blvd., Haymarket.
· Cheers to the Bull Run Street Rods Club for collecting toys at their car show on Saturday, October 22nd from 4pm-8pm. Bring a toy and come see cool cars and David from Swirlee’s will give you a small cone for the toy donation! The cars will assemble in the Burger King parking lot on Rt 28 by the Manassas Airport.
· Project Mend A House invites you to their Annual Taste of the Town event on October 26th at 6:30pm. Its great food from over 30 fine restaurants for just $35. Please call Gina at (703) 792-7663 for tickets.
· Operation Turkey is right around the corner! This is great opportunity to help those in need with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal. The special basics we all love include green beans, sweet potatoes, boxed pie crust, corn, biscuit mix, stuffing, box muffins, pumpkin pie mix, mashed potatoes, gravy packets or jars and of course cranberry sauce. Donations can be made to both ACTS in Dumfries and SERVE in Manassas.
· The Manassas Christmas Parade is in need of volunteer marshals! Also, there are several levels of sponsorship available. This year’s theme is Believe. Visit www.gmchristmasparade.org for more information or contact Nora at: [email protected].
· The Greater Washington Heart Walk takes place on November 5th on the National Mall. Help fight heart disease and stroke. Go to www.greaterwashingtonheartwalk.org for information and to register as a walker or volunteer.
· 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 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
Commuter traffic in the Washington, D.C. metro area is set to surge as President Donald Trump issues an executive order ending remote work for federal employees. The Center Square reports that Trump’s directive mandates federal workers return to their offices full-time, with limited exemptions determined by department heads. The move is welcomed by regional leaders like Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who have long urged a return to in-person work to bolster public transit ridership and address underused federal buildings. Federal employees, who constitute a significant portion of D.C.-area residents, are pivotal to the region’s economy.
Fire investigators are still searching for answers in two recent fires that caused significant damage in Fredericksburg and Woodbridge. The December 5 blaze at Eagle Village Shopping Center began in the warehouse of Play It Again Sports and quickly spread, destroying multiple businesses. Despite extensive efforts, investigators have been unable to determine the fire’s cause. Meanwhile, a January 21 townhouse fire in Woodbridge displaced two residents after unattended cooking sparked flames. Working smoke detectors alerted the occupants, allowing them to escape safely. Both incidents highlight the importance of fire safety and preparedness as investigations into the causes continue.
In a pivotal discussion during the January 21, 2025, meeting, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved funding measures for a new fire station in the Brentsville District, addressing a pressing need for expanded emergency services. The debate revolved around whether to utilize proffer funds—developer-contributed resources earmarked for public infrastructure—or tap into the county’s fire levy fund.
Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy initiated an amendment to the funding resolution, proposing the use of Brentsville District fire proffers “to the greatest extent possible” before considering the fire levy fund. With $3 million available in Brentsville fire proffers, Gordy emphasized aligning these restricted funds with their intended purpose: supporting fire and rescue services.
“This approach ensures that we prioritize restricted funds before relying on broader resources like the fire levy,” Gordy explained.
Arctic high pressure continues to grip the region, keeping dangerously cold temperatures and bitter wind chills in place through Thursday morning. The National Weather Service warns that these frigid conditions will persist, with temperatures struggling to climb above freezing during the day and plummeting overnight.
Temperatures on Wednesday will remain well below freezing, with daytime highs only reaching the teens and lower 20s. Wind chills will remain a significant concern, with values ranging from -10°F to -25°F in many areas.
By Wednesday night, winds will ease slightly as high pressure drifts overhead, but temperatures will still drop to the single digits in many areas, with subzero readings likely in higher elevations.
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.
