Greetings, Prince William – Are you looking for a project to do with the kids during their holiday break? Manassas City Animal Shelter is in urgent need of donations of items such as dog/cat food, dog/cat treats, dog/cat toys, cat litter, bleach, wipes, Dawn dish soap, trash bags and more! You can collect these items and drop them off at the shelter, 10039 Dean Drive, Manassas 20110. What a wonderful way to being 2024, knowing you’re providing homeless animals with much-needed supplies! Please call 703.257.2420 to learn more.
· You can help fight food insecurity! The hard-working staff at ACTS is in Urgent need of volunteers to support their Food Donation Center, 17958 Dr. David Cline Lane, Dumfries 22026 on weekdays. Flexible schedules! Jobs include accepting and weighing donations and complete receipts when requested. Volunteers will also shelve donations, pre-fill grocery bags, and assist NOVA Food Rescue Heroes with loading their vehicles for Home Deliveries. You’ll feel awesome knowing you’re helping this organization provide food to over 2,000 people each month! Please fill out an online volunteer application at www.actspwc.org, be prepared to download proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Questions? Please email [email protected] to learn more.
· Help low-income children get seasonal clothing! Boxes of Basics has released their volunteer schedule for January, and volunteers age 12+ are needed to help sort and shelve donations, pack Boxes of Basics and assorted other tasks. All volunteer activity is held at their warehouse, 9239 Mike Garcia Drive, Manassas 20109. It’s a terrific opportunity and will help vulnerable children get the clothing they need to get through the winter months! Please visit their Sign Up Genius page at https://bit.ly/3t6kj6b.
· It’s going to be mild weather on Christmas Day, but the folks at Capital Caring Health realize winter weather can return any time! They’re looking for Snow Team Drivers age 21+ who can transport staff to care for patients whose health care needs don’t take a break for inclement weather. A safe, reliable vehicle is needed (think 4-wheel drive) to provide transportation, even during a blizzard. You’ll feel fantastic knowing that you are helping nurses, social workers and other clinical staff continue to provide critical services for their clients in the middle of winter! Please visit https://bit.ly/4824M6W for more information, email [email protected] to learn more.
· You can make a difference in the life of a child! CASA Children’s Intervention Services needs volunteers age 21+ who care about children growing up in a safe, permanent and loving home. The staff will hold their next Virtual Information Sessions on January 3, 2024, and again on January 17, 2024, 6pm-7pm each date. Learn how you can help protect abused and neglected children in your community by becoming a volunteer advocate. Please email [email protected] or call 703.330.8145 to receive the link to the meeting or to inquire about alternate dates.
· If you’re interested in helping refugees, here’s something for you! Catholic Charities’ Migration and Refugee Services will be holding monthly Virtual Volunteer Information Sessions the first Wednesday of each month, beginning January 3, 2024, at 5:30pm. Sessions last one hour, and you’ll learn more about how to help newly-arrived families thrive in Northern Virginia, volunteer opportunities and the volunteer onboarding process. Registration is required, please visit https://bit.ly/40pcwwH to sign up for a session. Please email [email protected] or call 703.851.6388 to learn more.
· The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta invites children in grades K-12 to participate in the 2024 MLK Community Choir! The choir is scheduled to perform at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Program on January 15, 2024. It’s not too late to join – interested Prince William County, Manassas City, and Manassas Park youth can register at https://bit.ly/3sQ7PQu. Rehearsals have started, other dates are January 12 and January 15. Please email [email protected] for more information.
· The City of Manassas Park needs volunteers age 18+ to assist with their Active Shooter Drill at Manassas Park Elementary School, 9298 Cougar Court, Manassas Park on January 13, 2024, and January 20, 2024, 10am-5pm each day. They need 40-50 volunteers each day to be Actors for this drill in order to make it as realistic as possible. Please note you may be exposed to loud noises such as gunshots, may be lying on the floor and may be asked to have moulage applied. To sign up, please visit https://bit.ly/4af5U8V. Please contact Francis Rath at 703.366.3858 or [email protected] with any questions.
· If your office or group is looking for projects in 2024, here’s a great one to consider! The SERVE Family Shelter in Manassas has released its 2024 schedule of shelter meals, and groups of 5-7 volunteers age 18+ are needed to provide home-cooked meals to their residents on weekends and holidays. Volunteers will provide, prepare and deliver nutritious meals for about 60 guests. Groups have the option to prepare the meal offsite and do a drive-by drop-off delivery of the meal to the shelter or to prepare and serve onsite in the shelter kitchen. You’ll feel great as you provide the warmth and comfort of a home-cooked meal to those experiencing homelessness! Please contact Karen at [email protected] or call 571.748.2626 to learn more.
· If you enjoy helping people with their finances, Virginia Cooperative Extension has a terrific opportunity for you! They’re in need of volunteers to go through their Master Financial Educator Certificate Program – once completed, volunteers will educate participants on topics such as Debt Management, Credit Management, Spending Plans and more. The $80 registration fee covers a background check, USB drive containing training materials and polo shirt. Training is provided which runs February 19-March 25. Volunteers must commit to the full 6-week program. You’ll feel great as you share your financial expertise to help local residents navigate their way out of debt to financial freedom and solvency! Please email [email protected] or call 703.792.5943 for more information.
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 volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.
-Information submitted by Volunteer Prince William
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Join us on Friday, January 10, 2025, from noon to 4 p.m., with a special Ribbon Cutting at 2 p.m. Be inspired by keynote speaker Rita McClenny, President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation while enjoying a light reception featuring classic Fredericksburg favorites.
Location: 601 Caroline Street, 1st Floor, Fredericksburg
For event inquiries, contact: 540-372-1216 | [email protected]
Do you have an event you’d like to share with the community? Submitting your event to Potomac Local News is FREE and easy! Just fill out our form using this link: Submit Your Event.
Planet Fitness opened its first location in Stafford. The new 30,900-square-foot facility, located at 1455 Stafford Market Place in the Stafford Market Place shopping center, is designed to provide a welcoming, judgment-free environment for individuals at all fitness levels.
The building used to house a Best Buy that announced its closure one year ago after 16 years in business. Our coverage of the closure was some of the most-read content on Potomac Local News in 2024.
The Stafford location features state-of-the-art equipment, including strength machines, free weights, a dedicated area for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and a functional training room with turf for agility exercises. Members can also access amenities such as fully equipped locker rooms with showers, a mobility and stretching space, and free WiFi.
A highlight of the facility is the Black Card Spa, available to those who pay for a higher membership tier. The spa includes Hydro Massage Loungers, massage chairs, recovery loungers, and salon-grade tanning beds, offering members an opportunity to relax and recover post-workout.
Called to Jail
A 44-year-old man found himself back at Rappahannock Regional Jail after making a false report and harassing a jail officer with obscene phone calls. Initially, deputies responded to a call about a death and gunshot outside the jail, which turned out to be false. The suspect, located at a local motel, was arrested and charged with using obscene language and filing a false report.
Assault
– Marion Manor Nursing Home: A staff member assaulted another during a disagreement. The suspect was charged with assault and battery and held without bond.
– Shasta Place: A male suspect bit the victim during a verbal altercation. He was charged with assault and battery but released on personal recognizance.
DUI
Deputies discovered a car in a ditch on Courthouse Road. The driver admitted to drinking beer, with three empty cans found in her vehicle. She was charged with DUI, drinking while driving, and refusal, and held on a $3,000 bond.
Hit and Run
A vehicle struck a VDOT sign and two unoccupied trucks at EZ Auto Sales before the driver fled. Deputies identified the suspect using evidence left in the vehicle, and warrants for hit and run and property destruction were issued.
Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions and inclement weather. Here is the latest list of updates:
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Spotsylvania County Public Schools are closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions.
Code 2: 12-month employees report two hours late as safety permits.
Essential personnel will report at specified times.
All school-sponsored activities and student externships are canceled.
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King George County Public Schools
King George County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to adverse road conditions and inclement weather.
Code 2: 12-month employees report at 10 a.m.
Liberal leave will be in effect.
We’ll update this post with additional school closures and delays as they are announced.
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:
