- Volunteer Prince William is having our annual Volunteer Recognition event on Sunday May 19th at the Historic Ben Lomond House in Manassas. We invite all agencies to invite their volunteers to join in this celebration. We also need a volunteer to play music for a couple of hours that day. Do you have a trio, quartet, DJ to help us out? Please email Mary at [email protected]  for more info.
- Habitat for Humanity has great volunteer opportunities for April 4th-6th with a pond clean-up in Woodbridge and home repairs on the Baker home. Please register on their website for these fun projects at: habitatpwc.org.
- Prince William Area Free Clinic needs volunteers to offer free medical care to low income and uninsured individuals in the community. Positions include administrative, scribing, translators, doctors and nurse practitioner. Share just a little time with this wonderful organization and make a huge difference in someone’s life. Please fill out an application online at pwafc.org. Please call JQ with any questions at (703) 496-9561.
- ACTS needs a handy person to help with painting, drywall repairs and landscaping during traditional business hours. They also have an urgent need for volunteers age 16 + to help sort donations at the thrift store. Please call Shirley for more info on these positions at: (703) 441-8606 or via email at: [email protected].
- The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) needs volunteer actors for an emergency response exercise on Sunday April 28th at the Friendship Heights Metro Station. Volunteers age 13+ with their parent are welcome to pretend the situation of a stranded train in the tunnel. Please visit their event page for all the info at: eventbrite.com/e/wmata-regional-full-scale-exercise-volunteer-registration-tickets-57639268604
- PWC Historic Preservation and the Civil War Trust need volunteers on Saturday April 6th for the clean-up at Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park 8am-12 noon. This is a great way for Civil war enthusiasts to help maintain and preserve sites across the country. Please email Rob at: [email protected] for more info. The lead at Cannon Branch is Monica at [email protected]. The lead for Fredericksburg is Kevin at: [email protected] and the lead at Manassas National Battlefield is Henry at: [email protected].
- The Autism Society of Northern Virginia needs volunteers on Sunday April 28th for the 8th Annual Autism Acceptance Walk and Family Festival at the Fredericksburg County Fairgrounds. Duties include registration, clean-up, T-shirt distribution and activities assistance. Please email Kristen at: [email protected]Â for more info.
- Walk MS Manassas needs volunteers for the walk on Saturday May 4 9am-12 noon with registration, set-up, photography, singing the National Anthem and cheerleading. Please call Lexi at (202) 375-5615 for more info.
- Volunteers needed at the Merrimac Farm on Saturday April 13th 9am-12noon. Come join the fun of weeding, pruning and watering plants in anticipation of the Annual Bluebell Festival on Sunday April 14th. Please wear long pants, long socks and sturdy shoes and bring a smile and a bottle of water. Please RSVP to [email protected]  or (703) 490-5200.
- Experienced kayakers, canoeists and Jon boaters needed on Saturday April 20th 9am-2pm for the 10th Annual Upper Occoquan River Clean-up. There are many entry points for your boats. Please pre-register at: www.pwtsc.org. There are also on land sites as well.
- Mark your calendars for Saturday May 4th for the Annual Comcast Cares Day. This year Leadership Prince William will fix up the ARC Child Care Center in Dale City. They need tons of volunteers to help with this cause. Please visit their website at: leadershipprincewilliam.org/comcast-cares-day/ for all the info and to register for this event.
- Area Agency on Aging needs volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors throughout the community. It just takes about 2 hours to pick up the meals from either senior center and deliver out to your clients. They also have a need for volunteers at the Adult day Healthcare Center to play games with gentlemen and to assist with bingo on Friday mornings and Monday afternoon. Please visit the county website to learn more: pwcgov.org/government/dept/aaa/pages/volunteer.
- The Quantico Creek Clean-up in partnership with the Town of Dumfries is rescheduled for Saturday, April 13th 9am-12Noon. This is a great way to solve the plastic pollution in the creek. Cleanup supplies will be provided. But please wear boots and dress for the weather. Please contact: [email protected] to learn more.
- Youth for Tomorrow needs volunteers to share their hobby or talent with at-risk teens on the weekends. Do you like golf, sewing, dancing, cooking baking writing poetry crocheting, writing songs or other fun thing them you’re the perfect person to share your talent with a kid. Please register online at: youthfortomorrow.org.
- Youth for Tomorrow also needs Male Mentors to coach a young man on some basic life skills and find the right path into adulthood. It’s a great way to get out of your comfort zone and make a positive impact on a youth! Please register online at: youthfortomorrow.org
- The Tough Mudder is coming to Silver Lake in Haymarket on June 1st & 2nd. This team oriented 8-10 mile obstacle course will have thousands of participants. Volunteers are needed in lots of locations and duties. You won’t want to miss this fun event. Please visit their website to learn more at https://toughmudder.com/events/volunteer-information. You can also email [email protected]  for more information. This event is hosted by the PWC Office of Tourism.
- The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is looking for volunteers’ age 55+ to deliver noon meals through the Meals on Wheels Program. Shifts are just 2-3 hours and available in throughout the greater area. RSVP members receive a mileage reimbursement and additional insurance coverage at no cost to the volunteer. Please call Jan at (571) 292-5307 to learn more.
- Leesylvania State Park needs volunteers for their monthly shoreline cleanups to pick up trash and drift wood. The work days are April 13th and May 18th. Please register by calling the visitor center at (703) 583-6904 so they have your name to waive the entry fee of the park.
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 projects and send you weekly updates if you’d like. Shelley is at (703) 369-5292 ext. 2, and Bonnie can help you with opportunities available in Disaster Preparedness at (703) 369-5292 ext. 3. Please visit our website at volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.
Recent Stories
This week, we’re thrilled to host Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman of the Prince William County School Board, and Jennifer Wall, Gainesville District Representative, for an engaging discussion on the state of education in Prince William County on the next Potomac Local News Podcast.
Rania Lateef, a senior at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and the Governor’s School @ Innovation Park, daughter of Prince William School Board Chairman Babur Lateef, has been named one of 40 finalists in the prestigious 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS). Selected from nearly 2,500 applicants nationwide, Rania is recognized for her groundbreaking research on the effects of artificial light and circadian disruption on biobehavioral systems in Drosophila melanogaster. Her work highlights the impact of sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances on physical and mental health.
Rania credited her success to the supportive academic community of Prince William County Public Schools, her teachers Stephanie Brown and Dr. Alexis Patanarut, and her unique opportunities at GS@IP. As a finalist, she has already won $27,000 and will compete for additional awards totaling over $1.8 million during a week-long event in Washington, D.C., in March 2025. Rania’s journey emphasizes the power of passion and commitment in achieving meaningful scientific discoveries.
The Woodbridge District invites residents to join a Community Update Town Hall Meeting hosted by Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin. This virtual event offers an opportunity for residents to stay informed about the latest developments and initiatives in the community.
Details of the Town Hall:
Date: January 29, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
Residents can participate in the meeting by joining the Zoom session.
On January 24, 2025, at 12:25 a.m., Sergeant E.E. West responded to a single-vehicle crash at the McDonald’s on Wonder Road. An intoxicated driver, identified as Juan Gomez Alvarez, 38, of North Carolina, entered the drive-thru at a high rate of speed, struck a sign, and came to rest at an awkward angle, blocking the lane.
Gomez Alvarez displayed red, glassy eyes and had a strong odor of alcohol. The investigation revealed that he had been convicted of DUI in New York just the previous day, making this his second offense in five years. He was charged with DUI second offense, refusal, and destruction of property and was taken to Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
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.
