The Fredericksburg Food Co-op is now accepting Virginia SUN Bucks and, in partnership with Virginia Fresh Match, is doubling the value of SUN Bucks and SNAP/EBT benefits on fruits and vegetables to support low-income families. Additionally, purchases made with SNAP/EBT cards will receive 20% cashback in "Carrot Cash," promoting access to nutritious foods and supporting local farmers.

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The Sweet Julia Grace Foundation (SJGF) marked its 10th anniversary with a spectacular 5th Annual Field Day Fundraiser on May 18, 2024. The event brought the community together in an inspiring display of resilience and support for the foundation’s “Raindancers.”

Despite a rainy day, the event at The Farm Brewery at Broad Run was a resounding success. It emphasized the foundation’s motto of rising to challenges, just as the Raindancers do daily.

Over 150 volunteers and nearly 50 sponsors contributed to the event’s success, including event, vendor, and prize sponsors. The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, a long-time partner of SJGF, generously provided the space at no charge and even renamed their best-selling blonde ale to “Dance in the Rain Ale” in honor of the occasion.

This year, 70 teams comprising 6-10 players aged 18 and older participated in the event. Pre-event registration for sponsors sold out in under an hour, highlighting the excitement and support from the community. The Field Day featured 10 games, a mix of classic schoolyard activities with unique twists. Participants engaged in activities ranging from the potato sack race, leapfrog, and egg relay to more whimsical challenges like a donut-themed game, a t-shirt relay, a dizzy bat, and a blindfolded pool noodle game.

The event was a joyous spectacle, with spectators enjoying the sight of adults embracing their inner children, competing, and laughing together. The atmosphere was filled with cheers and encouragement as the teams vied for the coveted “King of the Field” title. This year, the honor went to “Alex’s Dawg Pound,” a team composed of friends of Alex Green, one of SJGF’s beloved Raindancers who passed away in 2016.

The event raised over $60,000, demonstrating the community’s unwavering support for SJGF. The top three teams, as well as winners in categories such as Best Costume, Best Team Spirit, and Best Effort, received prizes donated by local businesses, including Vertical Rock, RXR3 Recovery Lounge, Heroic Axe, Studio B Salon, Bobby McKeys, and Rock Box, among others.

SJGF, founded in 2014, and based in Bristow, by Sara Knight in honor of Sara and husband Jason Knight’s daughter Julia, who passed away in 2013 due to complications of a rare disease called I-cell. Julia lived 12 beautiful years, inspiring everyone who knew her, read about her, and loved her.

Following a record-breaking fundraising gala in October 2023, STEP VA has moved into its new home on Bourbon Street.

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Stafford County Public Schools: Stafford County Public Schools proudly recognized seven outstanding community partners during its annual Partner Appreciation Breakfast, held on Wednesday, May 15 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church. These esteemed partners have demonstrated exceptional dedication and support to students, staff, and school community throughout the academic year.

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The Willing Warriors Retreat houses offer cost-free stays and other non-medical programs that positively affect the recovery of wounded, ill, and injured service members and Veterans. The third house, the Grand Lodge, has six bedrooms, two of them ADA compliant. The increase in capacity will allow the retreat to help more warriors with additional programs.

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The Virginia Women and Family Support Centers’ Mom’s Boutique provides support to mothers and their families, offering an array of items and services to meet their needs.

In an effort to create a welcoming environment for mothers, the Virginia Women’s and Family Support Center Mom’s Boutique, located at 14019 Glenkirk Road in Gainesville, underwent a transformation with the support of Keller Williams’ RED Day of Service on May 9. According to an email sent to Potomac Local from an organization spokeswoman, the Mom’s Boutique will allow women to relax and feel at ease while shopping for essentials for themselves and their children.

The organization provides diapers, wipes, gently used or new clothing items, including onesies and pajamas, and a variety of hygiene products like baby soap, shampoo, lotion, and diaper rash cream. It also provides feeding supplies like bottles and sippy cups and, depending on donations, baby gear such as strollers, car seats, and high chairs.

Mom’s Boutique is also focused on offering support programs tailored to the needs of women in the community.

Virginia Women and Family Support Center, formerly known as Carried To Full Term, is expanding its services and spaces to address homelessness among women, children, and families with a holistic approach.

With the support of the community, the Virginia Women and Family Support Centers’ Mom’s Boutique aims to continue its mission of ending homelessness for women and families, providing vital resources and support to those in need. The center is open every second and fourth Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.

As of March 1, 2024, VAWFSC acquired three additional spaces, for a total of three properties – Haymarket, Gainesville, and Manassas. With this expansion, the non-profit looks forward to housing 18+ pregnant mothers and their families.

Potomac Local features a non-profit organization each week. Do you know of a non-profit doing great work to serve our communities? Let us know!

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School may not even be out for the summer, but some in the community are already planning what children will need when they return to class in August.

The Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF) is gearing up for its fourth annual Back-to-School Community Event, anticipated to attract as many as 8,000 attendees, a significant increase from last year’s 6,000. This year’s event, scheduled for August 3, 2024, at Unity Reed High School near Manassas, will feature a substantial giveaway of over 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, up from 2,500 last year.

In a continued partnership, Sentara Health, through its Sentara Cares initiative, is contributing $25,000, marking its second year as the signature sponsor. This sponsorship extends beyond the event itself, supporting ongoing vaccine clinics in Prince William County Schools, which will run throughout the summer to ensure that students receive the necessary immunizations before the new school year begins.

Dr. Vanessa Gattis, founder, president, and CEO of the PWCCF, and a retired Army civil affairs veteran, highlighted the growth in community engagement. “Each year, we see more businesses and organizations step forward to support our mission. This not only helps us reach more families but also enhances our service offerings like the vaccine clinics and our food security programs,” she said.

Last year, PWCCF’s Combating Hunger on Wheels program, also known as the “CHOW Wagon,” celebrated a milestone by distributing its 10 millionth meal in the county. The foundation, known for its broad support of local public schools, veterans, seniors, and the homeless, continues to expand its outreach and impact.

Dr. Gattis emphasized the event’s holistic approach to community support: “It’s about more than just backpacks. Our goal is to prepare children for a dynamic year ahead in school, equipped not only with the necessary supplies but also with good health ensured through our vaccination efforts.”

Community members wishing to contribute can donate supplies to help stuff the backpacks or volunteer at the event. Details on donation drop-off locations and volunteer opportunities are available on the PWCCF website.

This year’s Community Back to School Event will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Unity Reed High School near Manassas.

Fredericksburg Continuum of Care: On January 22, 2024 the Fredericksburg Regional Continuum of Care (CoC) received funding in the amount of $21,000 to support the Community Based Eligibility Worker Program to provide outreach to individuals and families experiencing homeless to access Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) more easily.

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