Prince William County has launched the “Give Where it Counts” campaign to reduce panhandling and support local nonprofits.

According to a press release, the county hopes to encourage residents to “rethink” how they give. Rather than donating directly to panhandlers, the county is directing residents to donate to local organizations and nonprofits that address housing, food insecurity, mental and health and job training.

This initiative was approved on Nov. 26 by the Board of County Supervisors. The campaign will run through December and will resume during the spring and summer, the press release stated.

“Many people want to help, but direct handouts often do not provide the long-term assistance individuals need,” said Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson. “By choosing to donate to nonprofits in our community, we’re empowering organizations that can deliver real solutions and make a meaningful impact.”

By visiting the county’s dedicated website for panhandling, donating has become more accessible. Panhandlers can generate as much as $200 a day but these funds do not address the root causes behind their situation.

The county has provided some of the most impactful ways to help the community:

Give to the non-profit organizations that can provide the needed services rather than directly to the panhandler.

Let us know if you see people panhandling in the community so that we can provide outreach services and get them connected to the help they may need. Call 703-792-3939 or email [email protected] and leave a detailed message about the location where you saw the panhandler.

Consider volunteering at one of the local shelters or at one of the nonprofits that provide resources to those who panhandle.

Use the material in the toolkit to help spread the message that handouts don’t help and to give where it counts!

At its Dec. 10 meeting, the Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) Board approved the school year calendars for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, opting for earlier starts to the year.

In a 4-2 vote with one abstention, the School Board voted to start on Aug. 12 in the upcoming two school years. The Board members who voted in favor of earlier start dates, or Option A, said they did so to remain in line with the survey results.

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On Monday, leaders from Prince William County gathered to celebrate the start of improvements to two of the soccer fields at George Hellwig Memorial Park in Manassas.

The improvements are scheduled to be completed by March 2025.

According to a county press release, fields three and eight are undergoing renovations to upgrade and install synthetic turf, respectively. Field three is scheduled to also receive a large underground stormwater management system, new concrete walkways, fencing, goals and behind-goal netting.

Hellwig Park is 132 acres with eight soccer fields, five baseball diamonds, three tennis courts, two basketball courts, a pickleball court and a small playground. The park is located at 14420 Bristow Road in Manassas, located in the Coles District of the county.

“As a coach who has spent countless hours on these fields, I’m so excited to support the turf improvements here at Hellwig,” Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega said. “These upgrades not only enhance the experience for our local athletes of all ages, but strengthen Prince William County’s commitment to health, wellness and community.”

The park was named in 1987 for George Hellwig, a president of the Coles District Volunteer Fire Department for three years as well as a rescue caption and chairman of the board. He’s most known for his efforts in getting an emergency medical training program started in the county.

Manassas City Council met for the final official time in 2024 in a nearly 2.5-hour meeting, sending off Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky and approving the Safford Subaru expansion.

Council will be on a two-week recess beginning Dec. 16 through the holiday season. Their first scheduled meeting back will be in early January.

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A Slick City Action Park, an indoor slide and air court park, will open in the spring of 2025 at Woodbridge’s Potomac Mills shopping center.

According to a release, this location will be the company’s first on the East Coast. Slick City Action Parks was founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Bron Launsby and the first locations were opened in Colorado, Missouri, Texas and Arizona.

Slick City Action Parks typically include indoor slides, air courts, a “Junior Jungle” for smaller children and other structures suitable for play. The release also states the Slick City will have dining, party rooms and a retail store.

“We are excited to bring Slick City Action Park to Potomac Mills and provide a unique entertainment option for our shoppers,” said Bethany Webb, director of marketing and business development at the Potomac Mills. “This new addition perfectly aligns with our goal to provide diverse and engaging experiences for our visitors. We believe Slick City will become a favorite destination for families and thrill-seekers in our community and beyond.”

Slick City’s website states the Potomac Mills location will become operational in the spring of 2025. It’s one of 12 locations marked as “coming soon” on the company’s website; other locations include Tulsa, Okla.; Columbus, Ohio; Oceanside, Calif.; and Mesa, Ariz.

The action park is only the latest entertainment spot that’s been welcomed to Potomac Mills. In recent months, Round 1 Bowling & Arcade, ZavaZone and AMC Theaters have become operational at the mall.

Following Saturday’s 78th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, the winners were announced on Facebook Sunday evening in several categories.

The parade organizers released a comprehensive list of winners in performance and float categories. The Chairman’s Award was given to the Manassas Park High School Marching Cougars, who earned a perfect score for their performance during the parade. The Parade Committee Award went to Caporales San Simon VA USA, a Bolivian cultural association.

All of the award winners will be celebrated at a ceremony on Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Manassas City Hall. Winners will receive a trophy and certificate.

Here are the rest of the awards:

Dance Company

1st: Stage Door Dance Studio

2nd: Manassas Ballet Theatre

3rd: Prince William Dance Academy

Cheerleading, Majorette, Step Teams

1st: Unity Reed High School AF JROTC

2nd: Grace E. Metz Middle School Cheer

3rd: Osbourn Park High School Cheer Program

Float – Other

1st: Mayfield Intermediate School

2nd: St. Thomas United Methodist Church

3rd: Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center

Float – Business

1st: K&M Roofing and Contracting LLC.

2nd: American Drengr Krav Maga

3rd: Ameri-Cans

Business Vehicles

1st: Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia – Arlington to Haymarket

2nd: Move4Free Realty LLC

3rd: Ashton Family Restaurant

Equestrian / Animals

1st: Union de asociaciones de charros del estado de Virginia

2nd: Peace of Mind K9

3rd: Dream in NOVA

Nonprofit Organization

1st: Historic Manassas, Inc.

2nd: Alpha-Bet Cooperative Preschool

3rd: Prince William Chamber of Commerce

Volunteer Prince William has opened up several new opportunities through the holiday season. Make sure to check out some below.

• Get into the holiday spirit by supporting the Town of Dumfries Holiday Parade on Dec. 14! Volunteers age 18+ are needed to help direct patrons, provide traffic control, act as route monitors and any other help needed to make this a fun and safe event for everyone. Volunteers should report beginning at 7 a.m., the parade steps off at 10 a.m. and will end around noon. It happens rain, snow or shine and you’ll feel loads of Christmas spirit as you get to enjoy the bands, floats, car clubs and performing groups who are participating!  Please contact Yvette at 571-363-5200 for more information.
• If you love helping others learn, we have a wonderful opportunity for you! The winter semester for BEACON for English Language and Literacy is currently underway, and they are still urgently recruiting for a few in-person and online evening Volunteer Teachers for this semester. They have one-day-a-week and two-day-a-week evening options available at various class levels. Evening classes meet from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Manassas, Manassas Park or on Zoom. No teaching or foreign language experience is required, and training is provided. Please sign up for a virtual information session or contact Seth Mazzaro at 571-428-2524.
• You can provide new, warm clothing for a vulnerable child! The fantastic staff at Boxes of Basics need sponsors who can make the holidays brighter for a local child by sponsoring a Box of Basics. It’s super easy: 1) Visit their Sign Up Genius page; 2) Select a size/gender Box of Basics and sign up; 3) Use their shopping list to buy items to help fill Boxes of Basics; 4) Drop off your unwrapped purchases at one of their convenient donation locations by Dec. 20. Please visit their website for a list of donation sites. Imagine how happy you’ll make a child and their family feel this Christmas when they receive new clothing they are proud to be seen in!
• If you enjoy decorating for the holidays, here’s a wonderful opportunity for you! CRi, Choice. Respect. independence needs volunteers aged 12+ to put up decorations around the exterior of their group homes. Decorations can be homemade or purchased, just please make sure they can withstand the weather for the duration of the holiday month. While third parties are not allowed inside the homes, decorations can be made and given to staff to hang indoors. Commercial holiday decorations are welcome such as string lights, Santa, ornaments and Christmas trees; string lights are a HUGE hit with residents in all the group homes!  This family friendly opportunity will be sure to put you in the holiday mood as you brighten up the lives of these clients who deal with developmental disabilities and/or mental health issues.
• The wonderful staff at House of Mercy need volunteer Elves to support their Christmas with Mercy program which started Dec. 3.  Preparation help is still needed from Monday to Thursday. Help is also needed Saturday and Sunday to assist clients with “shopping” for their families.  Volunteers age 16+ are welcome, volunteers age 12 to 15 are welcome to volunteer with a parent or guardian. All sorts of fun jobs are available, and you’ll get into the holiday spirit as you help provide vulnerable families with a wonderful Christmas! Please visit the SignUp Genius page for more information and to register.
• Although we’re in the holiday season, Martin Luther King Day isn’t too far off, and the MLK Youth Community Choir is seeking students in grades K-12 to join the choir and make a joyful noise! Participants will rehearse for a special performance at the Prince William Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta  40th Annual Dr. King Youth Oratorical Competition and Program being held on Jan. 18, 2025.  Rehearsals have begun, but more participants are welcome – no tryout is needed!
• The “Power of A Knock” can help a homebound senior get nutritious meals! Meals on Wheels urgently needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound senior citizens on weekday mornings. Volunteers must pass a criminal and driving record background check. Routes take about 1.5 hours to complete, training is provided.  You’ll feel great when you find out how inspiring it is to serve this vulnerable population and make their day! Please visit their website for more information.
• Your office, group or club can provide holiday comfort during December! Streetlight Community Outreach Ministries’ hypothermia shelter located at 14716 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge has an ongoing need for groups to prepare and drop off meals for 30 adult residents through March 30, 2025.  Meals are needed each night and should be prepared off-site and dropped off at the shelter between 6:30 and 7 p.m. There are still several openings in December, and you’ll feel great providing a hot, nourishing meal for the homeless to enjoy!  Please visit their website to sign up and get more information.
• If you want to get firsthand experience working directly with the homeless, here’s a perfect opportunity! Streetlight Community Outreach Ministries needs volunteers age 25+ to assist staff at their hypothermia shelter, 14716 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge.  Two volunteers are needed each evening through March 31, 2025, from 6 to 10 p.m.  Duties include assisting with preparing and serving dinner, passing out supplies as needed and light set-up and/or clean-up.  You’ll feel great knowing you are providing this vulnerable population with a way to get out of the cold for a hot meal and a warm place to sleep! Please visit their sign up page.

Sections of Sinclair Lane, or Route 747, will be closed to through traffic Monday starting at 9 a.m. through Thursday at 2 p.m. for drainage pipe replacement.

According to a release from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Sinclair Lane closures will take place between Brentsville Road and Smithfield Road. Closures will occur each weekday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The VDOT release states those needing to access Sinclair Lane will be able to, but drivers will not be able to go beyond the point of pipe replacement near the property at 11824 Sinclair Lane.

More information about these closures can be found on VDOT’s website or by visiting the 511Virginia app.

The City of Manassas’ most holiday coveted events, Santa Lights Manassas and the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade are returning on Friday and Saturday.

The holiday season will kick off at 5:15 p.m. Friday with Santa Lights Manassas, an annual event for more than 30 years. The tree lighting ceremony takes place the evening before the city’s big holiday parade.

According to the event website, the evening will begin with musical performances. Santa is expected to arrive around 6 p.m., then will greet children and listen to their holiday wishes. Free wagon rides will be available, as well as ice skating at Harris Pavilion.

A 78-years-long staple of the city’s holiday celebrations, the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade is returning Saturday starting at 10 a.m. More than 100 organizations, teams, businesses and bands from the city and Prince William County are expected to participate in the parade.

This year’s parade is themed “Christmas in Candyland.” It will be grand marshaled by Lucky Whitehead, a Manassas native and Osbourn High School graduate, a former National Football League (NFL) wide receiver. Currently, Whitehead plays for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, a Canadian Football League team.

Donna Sechler will be honored as the TD Bank Woman of the Year. Sechler is a Prince William County native and has remained in the area. She’s volunteered with the parade committee for more than 13 years.

Joe Martin will be honored as the Man of the Year. Martin is a Manassas native and has spent his career serving local businesses and organizations. Most recently, in December 2022, Martin was appointed the director of business development with MP Copiers.