Although the area has already braved several winter storms in 2025, Fredericksburg’s Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is still eight days away. 

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Metro Nova Creative is adding a creative twist to fundraising in downtown Fredericksburg: Business owner Dan Craddock announced that his team will surprise a different non-profit organization each quarter with unique designs on t-shirts, stickers, and merchandise. 

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The North Stafford High School (NSHS) Band is hosting its annual fundraiser dinner February 7, featuring live music, homemade pasta, and a silent auction. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature the North Stafford Jazz Ensemble, made up of 24 student musicians from the school’s band program.

The fundraiser is organized by the NSHS Band Booster Organization, which is made of parents of band members. It aims to raise essential funds that will directly support the band program and be used to support purchasing music, equipment, and providing instruction.

140 students participate in NSHS’s band program across various ensembles. Students can participate in the Big Blue Marching Band, three concert bands, a percussion ensemble and the jazz ensemble.

The highlight of the evening will be a performance by the North Stafford Jazz Ensemble, a group known for its dynamic mix of musical genres. From smooth jazz to upbeat rock and roll, the  ensemble will showcase their talents with a wide range of musical styles to keep the audience entertained throughout the evening.

In addition to pasta dishes made and served by students, a silent auction will also be held, featuring a variety of items donated to support the cause.

Tickets for the event are $15, with free admission for children under 4 years old. Discounts are available for seniors, staff, military personnel, and small businesses through email.

The Zoe Freedom Center is gearing up for its fourth annual 5K run, a fundraising event supporting its mission to assist those struggling with addiction. The event on Aug. 24, 2024, will begin and end at the University of Mary Washington’s  Jepson Alumni Executive Center, with participants running a course that stretches to the halfway point near Lafayette and Blue & Gray Parkway before looping back.

Founded by Dana and Mark Brown in March 2020, the Zoe Freedom Center launched the same day widespread shutdowns were announced for the COVID-19 pandemic. “We were surprised by the happenings, but we knew we were called to open this organization,” said Dana, “It proved to be the perfect time to open.” As other addiction services were forced to close or transition to virtual operations, the Zoe Freedom Center remained an in-person resource for those in need.

Driven by their personal experiences with addiction, the Browns established the center as a nonprofit organization offering free services to eliminate barriers for those seeking help. “I personally have 21 years free from addiction, and it was through my lived experience and my husband’s experience with a parent in addiction that led us to open this organization,” Dana shared. The center provides a wide range of services, including Peer Support, Counseling Services, Group Support, Family Support, and Grief Support for those grieving a substance-related loss.

In 2023, the Zoe Freedom Center served approximately 40 people per week and distributed 2,000 boxes of Narcan within the community. The organization also benefited from the efforts of 145 volunteers throughout the year. A key aspect of their work is a mobile unit that brings free Narcan—a life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug—directly to those in need.

Looking ahead, the Browns are working toward establishing Zoe Residential, a free-of-charge residential restorative care home for women trapped in cycles of addiction often linked with sex trafficking, domestic violence, and childhood trauma. Dana said this long-term residence will be a private, multi-acre property offering a supportive, Christ-centered, trauma-informed environment. Women participating in the program will have opportunities to pursue education, internships, and apprenticeships, and engage in community service projects, helping them rebuild their lives and pursue their dreams.

The 5K race is not just a fundraiser but is also a symbol of the Zoe Freedom Center’s commitment to walking alongside individuals and families throughout their recovery journey. “We understand this is a journey, and we will walk with people every step of the way,” said Dana.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website says 79% of drug overdose deaths in Virginia in 2022 involved fentanyl or related substances. The overall state rate of drug overdose deaths decreased slightly by 5% from the previous year, reflecting ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis. However, the challenge remains significant, with emergency department visits due to overdoses rising by 5% in the same period.

The race begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Jepson Alumni Center. Participants can run or walk, and packets may be picked up Thursday and Friday at the Zoe Freedom Center, or 6:30 a.m. Saturday at the starting area.

The Fredericksburg SPCA Fur Ball Gala will be held Aug. 24 at the Fredericksburg Convention Center.

This year’s theme is Old Vegas, in the style of the Rat Pack. In addition to a silent and live auction, the 6 p.m. event will feature specialty cocktails and entertainment casino games.

As of July 20, approximately 100 tickets were left. Last year’s event brought in almost 500 attendees.

This is the ninth year of the ball, which has brought in over $1 million for the animal shelter. Fredericksburg Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) took in 1,180 animals in 2023. They were able to adopt 1,144 and return 21 to their owners.

Tickets for the gala can be purchased online.

As the Stafford Education Foundation (SEF) approaches the tenth anniversary of its annual fundraising golf tournament, the organization continues to enhance educational opportunities for students and educators in Stafford County Public Schools. The foundation, dedicated to providing scholarships, grants, and innovative programs, remains committed to addressing the evolving needs of the community. This year, sponsors are able to donate directly to the scholarship, grant, or program they would like to encourage.

Executive Director Stephanie Johnson explained SEF’s latest initiative, the Community Health and Mental Professionals (CHAMP) Center program, exemplifies their approach to education. This healthcare career pathway program for high school students was launched in collaboration with Mary Washington Healthcare and the Claude Moore Foundation. Designed to address critical gaps in mental health, biomedical science, and nursing career pathways, the CHAMP program is a direct response to a community health assessment that highlights these needs. The program will welcome its first cohort of students this fall.

In addition to CHAMP, SEF continues to support future educators through targeted scholarships for students who have actively pursued their interests in teaching. The foundation also offers innovative teaching grants, funding creative projects that give students hands-on learning opportunities. Johnson said these grants empower educators to implement impactful teaching methods that enhance student learning.

The Foundation’s commitment to diversity is evident in initiatives like Reflect Stafford, a diversity licensure program, funded by a private donor, which aims to increase the diversity of teachers in the district. Additionally, the county’s Model UN program, open to all middle school students in Stafford County, reflects SEF’s dedication to providing enriching extracurricular opportunities for all students. Johnson said some larger Model UN programs restrict participation to students who are in gifted programs or costs more than some families can afford.

Strategic partnerships play a vital role in SEF’s success. The “Tee Off for Education” tournament, a key fundraising event, has evolved to include targeted sponsorships, allowing businesses to support specific educational programs that align with their interests. This approach has enabled the foundation to effectively channel resources into areas of greatest need.

The “Tee Off for Education” tournament will be Thursday, Oct. 3 at Augustine Golf Club. Players can register ahead of time, or on-site. Sponsors and donors are encouraged to visit the SEF website to learn more.

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Once on the edge of selling to a private owner, a beloved community pool has a new board of directors working to rejuvenate the facility and keep the neighborhood pool tradition alive. 

Ferry Farm Community Pool, in Stafford County near Fredericksburg, is hosting a fundraiser at Stafford’s Highmark Brewery on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The family-friendly event includes live music, a bounce house, face painting for children, and a cornhole tournament with a cash prize. The pool is a non-profit community pool located near Ferry Farm. Memberships are available to the public.

Several guest bartenders will be taking shifts during the event. Stafford County Commissioner of the Revenue Scott Mayausky, Treasurer Mike Sienkowski, and George Washington District Supervisor Deputy Deuntay Diggs will join Jeremy Grey, host of the morning show on WBQB-FM, and others in pouring beers.  Several businesses have donated to themed raffle baskets, which will accompany a silent auction and 50/50 raffle.

Justin Barcas, vice president of the swimming pool board of directors explained, “The pool is a piece of Americana. It represents community.” In an email, Barcas states he grew up spending summers at the pool and wants future generations, including his children, to have access to the same experiences.

In 1956, the Ferry Farms Civic Association committee surveyed teenagers to determine the area’s recreation needs, and a pool was the number one request. Committee co-chair Ralph Nieman invested personal funds to build the pool. In 1957, the pool cost $20,900 to build.

Barcas wrote, “The pool soon became home to the Ferry Farm Flying Fish…one of the first teams in the Rappahannock Swim League.  Of historical note, Jeff Rouse, Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder in the 100m backstroke [and for whom the Jeff Rouse Swim & Sport Center in Embrey Mill is named], began his swimming career at age five. “

The swimming pool’s new board of directors took charge in Fall 2023. The previous board faced repair estimates of $60,000 and proposed selling Ferry Farm pool to Little Fish, a swim lessons company. Brittany Reddan, event coordinator, said several pool members stepped up to create a new board to explore alternative ideas and solutions to fundraise and finance the needed repairs, including Reddan herself.

The Highmark fundraiser will be the second pool fundraising event hosted by the new board. Patrick Gerrard, board president, wrote “The community support for both the yard sale and Highmark Brewery fundraiser have seen phenomenal community support. The yard sale had about 10 families either show up to sell or donate their goods to the pool. The Highmark Brewery fundraiser has seen more community engagement than we could have asked for.” In his email, he said they have also been exploring other avenues, including working with Stafford County’s Economic Development Authority and exploring grants.

Reddan said she was “blown away by the outpouring of support for our small community pool.” In her email, she said so many people in the area have shared their experiences spending summers at the pool, doing swim team, and lifeguarding. Many now bring their own children. Reddan said the pool “has clearly made a positive impact for so many people in south Stafford.”

Co-secretary Bridget Baxter emphasized the fundraiser’s goal is to raise funding to replaster the pool and avoid passing the financial burden to members. In her email, Baxter added the board’s mission is to keep the pool community-owned and focused on being a safe place for families. Donations are also being accepted online.

The fundraiser is from 1 to  6 p.m. at 390 Kings Highway.

Kelly Sienkowski is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.