Woodbridge, Va. — It’s Thanksgiving morning and 20 volunteers crammed a small kitchen in Woodbridge.
“Hand me a Crock Pot, that one over there,” a woman exclaims.
“Is there a bigger one?” one man asked.
“Here, use this one and take it out to the dining room,” another said.
In a kitchen so small, about the size of a large bedroom in a town home, at the Volunteers of America Chesapeake Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Center, volunteers are working tirelessly to cook a Thanksgiving feast for some of the neediest residents in the Potomac Communities.
This Thanksgiving, the shelter on U.S. 1 has 11 adults and 14 children who call it a temporary home, with nine of the children under age three.
The dinner, an annual tradition, will be more than enough to feed them but it will also feed the volunteers and their families, as well as anyone else who may be hungry this day – food for up to 100 people, organizers said.
“I’m here because I want my daughter to know that she is blessed and we love helping people,” said Dawn Young, of Lake Ridge. A first-time volunteer at the Woodbridge shelter, she brought her 11-year-old daughter, Tyler, to help.
As Tyler was mixing the mashed potatoes, others were cooking three of the five turkeys that were going to be eaten. Sitting in the dining room was ham, sides and deserts, as well as a cardboard cutout of President Obama, whom residents here say is “always invited to dinner.”
Organizers said 97 people showed up for dinner Thursday. They ate about 1 p.m.
A staple of the shelter, a man who simply goes by J.D., once lived in a tent in the woods before he moved into the shelter three years ago, and now lives in a basement apartment he rents in Woodbridge.
He credits the shelter for not only providing him with a hot meal today, but with saving his life.
“I turn 56 this Sunday. The doctor said I was going to live to see 54,” he said.
After years of drinking, smoking and living in the elements, J.D. was given just months to live. His health and outlook changed after he moved into the shelter.
“These are good people around here, and they saved my life and I’ll always be thankful for that,” he said.
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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:
