Call to Action: Help needed to install smoke alarms

Good morning – Meals on Wheels has an urgent need to volunteers to deliver a mid-day warm meal to homebound seniors. This fabulous program serves hundreds of folks Monday through Friday every week. Your route only takes about 2 hours to do so it’s perfect for a retiree or anyone who can just flex out of their workday for a long lunch. If you are age 55+ please join RSVP for added benefits while delivering the meals. To join RSVP, please call (703) 369-5292 ext. 1 or call Melody at (703) 792-4583 at Area Agency on Aging for the Meals on Wheels Program.
· The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to install smoke alarms in the Manassas area on Saturday May 7th 8am-2pm. Please register for this event at: volunteerconnection.redcross.org. Volunteers will start at Tabernacle Baptist Church on Barrett Drive. Please call (571) 293-1771 for more info.

· The Prince William Health District invites all residents to complete their community health check survey to share your public health thoughts and concerns. This survey is available on line at: gpwsurvey.gmu.edu

· Volunteers are needed for the 2nd Annual Cajun Occasion Crawfish Boil on Sunday May 15th. This year’s event benefits the Un Trim A Tree Holiday Gift program for needy kids. Jobs include serving beer and wine, checking ID’s, set up and take down to name a few. This promises to be great fun and for a great cause. Work a couple of hours then enjoy all the fun. Please call Mary at (571) 292-5303 to register.

· Catholic Charities –Hogar Immigrant Services has an urgent need for ESOL teachers for the classes in Manassas. Fantastic job for RSVP members! You don’t need teaching experience or speak another language to make a huge difference in the life of another. Please call Cynthia at (571) 208-1572 ext. 103 to join this great team.

· Prince William County Public Works is having a community shredding event on May 7th 9am-1pm at both the landfill location and the Balls Ford Compost facility. It’s a great way to great rid of confidential documents, tax returns and bank statement safely.

· Mark your calendars for Thursday June 2nd for the annual Do More 24 Day. Register your non-profit and support your favorite cause is as easy as can be. Please visit DoMore24.org to learn more and of course support a kid and a toy at Volunteer Prince William with just $24.

· Habitat for Humanity is helping an elderly resident in Nokesville with an important erosion issue. Please call Tammy at (703) 369-6708 for the exact date. They also have a new rehab project starting on May 5th so visit their website at: habitatpwc.org for all the particulars and to volunteer.

· TOPSoccer is a soccer league for children with disabilities. Volunteers are needed to work with the little kids age 3-13 on Saturday mornings 10am-11am or with the bigger kids ages 12-22 from 11am-noon. No soccer skills required just your happy attitude and desire to help kids learn the game of soccer in a safe, fun environment. The practices run every Saturday until May 21st at the Vint Hill Gym at 4235 Aiken Dr in Warrenton. Please email Beth at: [email protected] to learn more.

· Leadership Prince William needs volunteers to help with their Annual Comcast Cares Day on Saturday April 30th in Occoquan. Lots of fun jobs throughout this quaint community. Please register at: leadershipprincewilliam.org/Comcast-cares-day.

· Virginia Cooperative Extension invites volunteers to their next Master Financial Education Training on Monday May 2nd for 9 sessions. This certificate requires 24 hours of training and regular volunteering annually. It’s a super life skill program to empower families with financial education. There is a registration fee and background check required for this important training. Please call (703) 792-4765 or email them at: [email protected] to learn more.

· The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program –RSVP has a new email address- it is: [email protected]

· Brain Injury Services is looking for PALS volunteers to visit folks for friendly conversation with a young man with a brain injury. Contact Michelle for more information: [email protected] or 703-451-8881 X232.

· Attention seniors and retirees! Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) needs daytime volunteers who can attend and monitor impaired driving cases at the Prince William County Courthouse. Contact Noreen at [email protected] or phone 703-379-1135.

· SERVE is in immediate need of volunteers who can help with food assistance on Thursday afternoons, 12:30pm to 3:30ppm. Duties include greeting clients, assemble food packages, assist in the shopping area, answer questions, and check out client shopping baskets. You must be age 16 or older; schooled aged volunteers can help with a parent. Contact Jan at [email protected].

· If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call my wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William. Mary 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.