· Good morning – Happy Halloween, but just as important is Happy Thanksgiving to hundreds of families in our community. SERVE in Manassas needs your help with Operation Turkey!
You can help several ways – first of all gather your friends, family and businesses to collect food items that can be dropped off on Saturday November 8th from 10am-2pm, Thursday November 13th and Friday November 14th from 10am-5pm at the Manassas Adventist Prep School on Barrett Drive in Manassas.
Then volunteers are needed on Sunday November 16th to bring any surplus food back to the pantry. This is a super job for teens age 16+ and any of us doing a little weight lifting. There are two shifts – 12pm-3pm and 3pm-6pm. Please email Jan at [email protected] to help her on the 16th.
· SERVE also has an urgent need for new bed pillows for the residents of the family shelter. Please drop them off at the admin building at 100056 Dean Drive in Manassas anytime during traditional business hours.
· The Greater Prince William Food Council would love to know how all of our many small food pantries in churches and basements and such are doing. Kindness abounds in our community – please take a moment to fill out a quick survey if you are helping families with food needs. Please visit this beautiful website to complete the survey: www.gpwfoodcouncil.org
· Ho, Ho, Ho – Christmas is right around the corner and we are in full swing with our Un Trim A Tree Holiday Gift Program for needy kids. If you would like to sponsor a child at Christmas I can provide you their name, age and two toy wishes so you can be a special Santa to a kid. Please visit my website at: volunteerprincewilliam.org and fill out a donor form for me. You will have a blast. I’m already stockpiling Frozen characters because I’ve been told that’s the hot item.
· Area Agency on Aging is looking for a volunteer to teach a beginner’s Spanish class one day a week on either on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday for an hour or so in the middle of the day at the Manassas Senior Center. They would also love a volunteer to teach a basic computer class. Please call Melodee at (703) 792-4583 to learn more.
· Brain Injury Services needs a volunteer who can visit a client from Kenya. What a nice way to share your interest in East African culture with another. Please call Michelle at (703) 451-8881 ext. 232 to learn more.
· Hogar Immigrant Services is looking for volunteers to help assist eligible legal residents complete their citizenship applications on Saturday mornings each month at their Manassas office. Please call Sabra at (571) 208-1572 ext. 102 to learn more
· Beacon Adult Literacy needs volunteer tutors to teach conversation or computer literacy to ESL students in the Manassas area on Monday mornings. Please call Caroline at (703) 368-7491 to learn more.
· Literacy Volunteers is gearing up for their next volunteer training On November 22nd. Come learn all the skills you need to help another adult reach their life goals. You do not need any prior experience. This is one person helping another. Please call (703) 670-5702 or visit www.lvapw.org to learn more.
· Mark your calendars for Saturday November 22nd for the BARN’s 16th Annual Festival of Trees Ball. This year’s event is at the Hilton Washington Dulles and includes dinner, dancing, auctions. Please visit their website: barninc.org for more info.
· If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call my wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William. Coleen can help you with the Retired and Senior Volunteer (RSVP) opportunities at (703) 369-5292 ext. 207, 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. 201, and Bonnie can help you with opportunities available in Disaster Preparedness at (703) 369-5292 ext. 202. Please visit our newly re-vamped website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.
Recent Stories
The Prince William County Board of County Supervisors will address the county’s meals tax during the upcoming budget deliberations, according to Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson. The meals tax, enacted in 2022, has been a concern for local restaurant owners, some of whom are advocating for its repeal.
The proposed meal tax (also called the food and beverage tax) for Prince William County in FY2025 is projected to generate $42 million in revenue. This represents a $10 million increase from the previous year, reflecting a significant rise of 31.25%.
The tax has drawn strong reactions from the restaurant industry, where owners have repeatedly called for its abolition, arguing that it places additional strain on their already tight margins. Restaurant owners have pointed to the increased costs they’ve faced over the past few years, compounded by inflation and staffing shortages, making the meals tax particularly burdensome.
A new gym is set to open in Dumfries, bringing 24/7 fitness access to the community. Workout Anytime will celebrate its grand opening on February 13 at 18069 Triangle Shopping Plaza (Suite C&D), offering state-of-the-art equipment, personalized training, and a commitment to fostering a healthier lifestyle.
At the helm of the new gym is Gary Wortham Jr., a former James Madison University football player and recruiter, taking on the general manager role. Wortham, a longtime Dumfries resident, is excited to bring his passion for fitness and community building to this new venture.
“We’re thrilled to be opening a full 24-hour fitness facility right in the heart of Dumfries,” Wortham said. “This town hasn’t had anything like this before, and I’m excited to provide a space where people of all ages can work toward their health and wellness goals.”
OmniRide has earned the prestigious Best Workplaces for Commuters designation, meeting rigorous standards for excellence in employee commuter benefits. This national recognition highlights OmniRide’s commitment to providing stress-free, affordable, and eco-friendly transportation options for Northern Virginia commuters.
Experience award-winning service with OmniRide’s reliable express and local bus routes, designed to save you time, money, and hassle. Join thousands of commuters who choose OmniRide for a smarter, greener way to travel.
Learn more at OmniRide.com.
Linda Kathleen Williams (Green), 76, found peace on February 6, 2025 surrounded by the love of family and friends. Linda was a beautiful person both inside and out. She grew up in South Charleston, West Virginia with her parents, Charles and Mary M. Green and her 13 siblings.
From her parents, Linda learned the value of working hard, loving others and laughing often. Linda graduated from Charleston Catholic High School in 1966. As the second born and eldest daughter of a large family, Linda’s love for children and caring for others came naturally. She completed a degree in Early Childhood Education in Athens, West Virginia at Concord College in 1970.
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.
(Webinar) Diet & Dementia: Brain-Healthy Tips to Reduce Your Risk…
Did you know that your food choices can impact your risk of developing dementia?
Kick off National Nutrition Month with an educational discussion on Wednesday, March 5 at 12 PM EST with Sunday Health dementia neurologist Dr. Sara Doyle and
