Greetings, Prince William – It’s About a Kid and a Toy! Volunteer Prince William announces Untrim-a-Tree, our holiday program which provides gifts to thousands of our neighbors in the greater Prince William community. You can help bring a brighter holiday season to local children and seniors! Simply sponsor a child – each child receives two gifts, valued at not more than $50-$75 per child. Donations of Senior Baskets will be given to homebound seniors throughout the community. Baskets could include card games, crossword puzzles, hand cream, warm socks, lap throws or wraps. Please call Jan at 571.292.5307 or email [email protected] to request a donor form.
November 20 is Family Volunteer Day, a day that celebrates the power of families who work together to support their communities and neighborhoods. You can volunteer with an organization your family cares about, raise money as a family to make a donation, learn about a cause that means a lot to your family and much more! With the holidays on our doorstep, this would be a great chance for your family to do a special holiday project together! Please visit the Points of Light Family Volunteer Day page at https://bit.ly/3CTrT3X for project ideas.
Ho Ho Ho! Christmas is getting near, and you can help a child have a Happy Holiday! House of Mercy is asking for donations of new gifts valued at $25 for their Christmas with Mercy program by December 1. Please email[email protected] for more information. ACTS is accepting new toy donations for Toys for Tots until December 8. Please email [email protected] to learn more. SERVE is accepting donations of new toys and gift cards for their Gifting for Families program. Please visit www.nvfs.org/support/holiday-giving/gifting-for-families/ for details and email [email protected] with any questions.
No community within the Prince William area is immune to the havoc and devastation caused by a disaster, whethernatural or manmade. Volunteer Prince William is recruiting volunteers for Disaster Response positions. Trained volunteers can fill a critical role in disaster response and alleviate the challenge of spontaneous, untrained volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help as Reception Center Staff and Public Outreach and Education, which includes educational games such as Disaster Jeopardy and Ready Bingo. Training is provided, and you’ll feel great as you help our local community rebuild following a disaster! Please contact Claudia at [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.
Animal lovers! The staff at Advocates for Abused and Abandoned Pets (A3P) needs volunteers in a variety of positions to help make life better for the furbabies. Volunteers under 16 can help but must volunteer with a parent. Just a few hours a day, a week, or a month can make a difference in the lives of these 4-legged friends! Please visitwww.a3padvocates.org/volunteer or email [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.
The awesome staff at BEACON is preparing for their Winter Semester, November 29 thru March 4! Volunteer Online ESOL Tech Facilitators are needed Monday and Wednesday mornings to support small group instruction in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Volunteers will provide support to the class teachers by running the Zoom sessions, sharing teaching materials on screen and setting up breakout rooms as needed. Free training is provided. The 12-week class schedule is Mon/Wed, 9:30am-11:30am. Please fill out an online application at www.beaconliteracy.org, under Get Involved. Call 571.428.2507 or email [email protected] to hear more about this exciting and rewarding opportunity.
Calling All Teachers! Catholic Charities needs teachers for the Winter semester for a 12-week (or longer) commitment from November 29 to March 3. You’ll feel great as you help individuals achieve self-sufficiency and participate fully in the greater community! The main facets of the programs are English classes and Citizenship preparation classes. Ongoing needs are for GED preparation courses, childcare courses, computer courses, and a job assistance program. Estimated weekly commitment is about 4 hours a week. Please apply athttps://volunteer.ccda.net/custom/501/opp_details/1164. Questions? Please email [email protected] for more information.
The 75th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade is back, and volunteers age 18+ are needed to act as Route Marshallsand Staging Marshalls to support the parade on December 4. Your help will be greatly appreciated as you make sure the parade proceeds in a safe and orderly fashion, while keeping spectators safe along the route! Please visithttps://bit.ly/3CSgDot for details; click on the Respond button to sign up. Note: Breakfast will be provided for volunteers! Questions? Please email [email protected] for more information.
Medical Reserve Corps Support your local health department and your community during a public health emergency! Volunteers are needed to support several missions, including public health education and outreach, disease investigation, vaccine clinics, and more! Medical experience is not required; they have roles for everyone! Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Volunteers must be 18 years of age, complete minimum training, and pass a state background check to serve. Please fill out an application at vamrc.org. Questions? Please email Amy at [email protected] for more information.
Help support veterans! RSVP’s VETS Program which provides transportation for veterans and their spouses to medical appointments is back, and volunteer drivers age “55 or better” are needed! Volunteers must be at least 55 years old and successfully complete both a criminal and driving record check. It’s a wonderful way to give back and say “thank you” to our veterans for all they’ve done! Please email [email protected] or call 571.292.5307 for more information.
Mark Your Calendars! Wreaths Across America will be held December 18 beginning at 10am at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle. This is a wonderful, meaningful event for families and a good way to Remember, Honor and Teach children about the sacrifices made by our veterans. Please register on Evenbrite at https://bit.ly/30hGBmT – be sure to read the important information on that page. Please email [email protected] to learn more.
If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292. You can also visit our website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.
Recent Stories
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide following the discovery of two deceased individuals in a Heatherwood Drive residence about two miles from Courtland High School.
Investigators are mum about how they died.
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., deputies responded to a call from a concerned individual who reported not having heard from a friend. Upon visiting the residence in the 10800 block of Heatherwood Drive, the caller entered the home and discovered a female’s body. They exited and contacted the Spotsylvania County 911 call center.
Patricia A. Healy, the longest-serving member in the history of the Stafford County School Board, celebrated a remarkable milestone on January 14, 2025—25 years of dedicated service to Stafford County Public Schools. First elected to represent the Rock Hill District in 2000, Healy has since become a pillar of leadership and advocacy for education in the community.
In a special recognition at the school board meeting, Healy was lauded for her steadfast commitment to students, families, and educators. Over the course of her tenure, Healy has served alongside 33 board members and held leadership roles, including seven years as chair and one year as vice chair. Her guidance has been instrumental in navigating the board through significant growth, challenges, and transformations within the school system.
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.
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.
