Call to Action: Virginia Bluebell Festival needs volunteers

Good morning – our Division of Historic Preservation is gearing up for spring projects at the Julie Metz Wetlands Preserve in Woodbridge. Volunteers are needed to help with trail and stream clean-up, development of interpretive materials and education programs. These volunteer opportunities continue through the fall. Please call Rebecca at (703) 499-9812 to learn more about this county treasure.

· Brain Injury Services is looking for volunteers to be matched in one to one friendships with survivors of brain injury. Experience is not necessary only your interest. Please call Michelle at (703) 451-8881 ext.232 to learn more.

· SERVE is super busy at their food pantry. Volunteers are needed to assemble food packages during the day and two evenings a week. Great job for teens age 16+. Make this a Spring break activity and continue to help on an ongoing basis. Please email Jan at: [email protected] to learn more.

· Keep Prince William Beautiful needs volunteers on Saturday April 18th from 9am-12 noon for their Annual Clean Sweep in Woodbridge. The day begins with litter and safety education and training followed by the community clean-up along the route 1 corridor. Please wear your old clothes and rubber boots as this will be a get your hands dirty project that promises to cleanse the soul. This is not appropriate for children under 10yrs old. Please call (571) 285-3772 for more info or check out their calendar at:kpwb.org

· The PW Conservation Alliance needs volunteers for their Bluebell Festival at Merrimac farm on Sunday April 12th from 10am-4pm. Come join in this wonderful activity in Nokesville. Please call Myndi at (703) 499-4954 for more info.

· The Neabsco Creek Clean-up is Saturday March 28th from 9am-12noon. This is the perfect way for teens to start your spring break! Please wear long sleeves and tall rubber boots. Trash bags, gloves and drinking water are provided. Park at the Neabsco Eagles Park and under the power lines. Sign-in at the cul-de-sac on Neabsco Creek Drive behind Wawa on Rt. 1. Email: siverstrand@prodigy,net with any questions.

· Volunteers are needed at the Coles District Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday March 28th. You don’t want to miss this fun- tasks include hiding eggs, organizing activities, corralling kids and making sure every family gets a picture with the Easter Bunny. Please call Katie at (703) 792-7059 to learn more.

· PW Soil and Water Conservation District needs volunteers with canoe and boats on Saturday April 11th for the 6th Annual Upper Occoquan River Clean-up. There are several access points so please call (703) 791-6158 for all the specifics. Also the Alice Ferguson Foundation has many volunteer opportunities as well. Please check out their website for specifics and to register at: potomaccleanup.org.

· Beacon Adult Literacy needs volunteer tutors to teach conversation or computer literacy to ESL students in the Manassas area. Please call Caroline at (703) 368-7491 to learn more and join the next volunteer training.

· Literacy Volunteers of America- Prince William need volunteer tutors to work with adults in the Woodbridge area. No experience necessary as you will get all the skills needed at their tutor training beginning on May 23rd. You can be a life-changer. Please call (703) 670-5702 or visit their website at: lvapw.org to learn more.

· 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. 1, 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. 0, and Bonnie can help you with opportunities available in Disaster Preparedness at (703) 369-5292 ext. 3. Please visit our newly re-vamped website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.

Call to Action is a column written by Volunteer Prince William Director Mary Foley.