Call to Action: Donation drivers, help with K9 Gunner Memorial Park sought

Greetings, Prince William – Call to Action will be taking a holiday break so will not publish December 24 and 31.  We’ll resume the column on January 7, 2022.  We wish everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday Season, and All the Best in the New Year!

The folks at ACTS Hunger Prevention Center have an urgent need for Donation Drivers Wednesdays thru Sundays.  Drivers can use an ACTS van or their own vehicle for food pickups.  There’s a variety of places to choose from, and you’ll feel great as you deliver food which will help food insecure families in our community!  Please contact Shirley at 703.441.8606, ext. 288 or [email protected] to learn more.

Animal lovers!  The staff at Advocates for Abused and Abandoned Pets (A3P) needs volunteers in a variety of positions to help make life better for the furbabies.  Volunteers under 16 can help but must volunteer with a parent.  Just a few hours a day, a week, or a month can make a difference in the lives of these 4-legged friends!  Please visitwww.a3padvocates.org/volunteer or email [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.

You can help fight hunger!  The Community Feeding Taskforce Food Helpline urgently needs Spanish speaking volunteers who can assist with answering calls to the Helpline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Volunteers will answer calls from those in need of food, redirect callers to a food pantry closest to where they live and arrange home deliveries for shut-ins.  Training is provided; however, volunteers will work from home and must have their own computer and Internet access.  It’s a flexible schedule and call volume is low enough someone can do this while working from home.  Please visit https://bit.ly/314ZgDn for more information and click on the Respond button to sign up.

Give the gift of a holiday meal!  House of Mercy is asking for $25 donations which will provide a holiday meal for a family of 4 in Northern Virginia.  Your support can help make for a Happy Holiday Season for vulnerable residents in our community!  Please visit www.houseofmercyva.org or call 703.659.1636 for more information.

Help fight hunger virtually!  Manassas Hunger and Homeless Outreach conducts a Virtual Food Pantry which provides funds to local food pantries at First Baptist Church in Manassas, Manassas Mobile Park Food Pantry and George Mason MAP Clinic.  Funds raised also lets the agency provide grocery cards to those experiencing hunger and homelessness in Manassas.  You can participate by visiting https://bit.ly/3ycEiyu.  Questions?  Please email[email protected] to learn more.

Medical Reserve Corps  Support your local health department and your community during a public health emergency!  Volunteers are needed to support several missions, including public health education and outreach, disease investigation, vaccine clinics, and more!  Medical experience is not required; they have roles for everyone!  Bilingual volunteers are especially needed.  Volunteers must be 18 years of age, complete minimum training, and pass a state background check to serve.  Please fill out an application at vamrc.org.  Questions?  Please email Amy at [email protected] for more information.

Dog lovers, we’ve got a great opportunity for you!  PWC Dogs is looking for volunteers age 18+ to help with the ongoing management and support of the K9 Gunner Memorial Park in Woodbridge.  Volunteers meet monthly to discuss dog park business, as well as support and staff in-person and virtual fundraising/friend-raising events.  Dog ownership experience helpful but not required.  You’ll feel great as you help promote this dog-friendly park in our community!  Please visithttps://bit.ly/3pm4vH2 for more details.

Is your group looking for a volunteer opportunity? The SERVE Shelter has need for groups of 5-7 volunteers who can prepare meals in January 2022 for the guests staying with them. Meals can be prepared at home for about 60 and dropped off at SERVE in Manassas or can be prepared and served onsite at the shelter. You’ll feel great as you provide the warmth of a nutritious, home-cooked meal for those experiencing homelessness! Please email [email protected] for more information.

If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292.  You can also visit our website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org.  Thanks so much for all you do in our community.