Occoquan Mayor Earine Porta: “Visit River Mill Park in the town of Occoquan on Thursday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m., as our friends from Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Gainesville & Manassas celebrate the first night of Hanukkah by lighting the menorah they generously donated to the town last year. This event is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome.”

Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “Come down to Occoquan this Saturday, December 1, and greet Santa as he arrives by boat at the town dock behind Madigan’s Waterfront Restaurant at 10:45 a.m. After disembarking Santa will walk down Mill Street to River Mill Park where he will meet with children of all ages starting at 11:00 a.m.”

Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “Saturday, November 18, the town will host two dedications. First, at 3:00 p.m., town officials will cut the ribbon for the new welcome mural at the Route 123 entrance to town. This work, by artist Alethea Marie Robinson and commissioned by the Town Council, was selected from a number of wonderful submissions.”

“Then, at 3:30 p.m., town officials will cut the ribbon for the official naming of the island under the Route 123 bridge. For a period of approximately one year the island will be known and signed as ‘Heron’s Haven’, the name submitted by Tom and Mary Craig during the town’s island naming contest held last June during Riverfest. Please feel free to stop by both dedications this Saturday.”

“And don’t forget that there is no need to worry about finding parking in town for all of Saturday’s activities. The town will be running the FREE Occoquan Express shuttle service from noon until 8:00 p.m. from the VDOT commuter lot at the corner of Route 123 and Old Bridge Road. Shuttle service will run approximately every 20 minutes, depending on traffic.”

Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “This Saturday, November 18, is the kickoff for the town of Occoquan’s annual HolidayFest. From 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, one block of Mill Street will be turned into a pop up market with almost 30 vendors, while many town businesses will be open until 8:00 p.m. as well. From 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.”

“Sip & Stroll rules will be effect enabling visitors to walk and shop in the historic district while enjoying adult beverages from participating restaurants. Then, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. there will again be fire pits with free marshmallows to roast, as well as cocoa, cider, and s’mores kits available for purchase adjacent to River Mill Park. And, of course, the centerpiece of the event will be the annual town tree lighting in front of the Occoquan Town Hall (314 Mill Street) at 6:00 p.m.”

“We hope you will consider joining us for this annual town tradition. For more information go to https://www.visitoccoquanva.com/holiday.”

Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 14, at 10:00 a.m., Fairfax Water will once again be testing the Occoquan Dam warning siren. Established in part through funding secured by Congressman Gerry Connolly, the siren is designed to alert people and encourage them to seek higher ground in the highly unlikely event of a massive failure of the high dam that is located approximately a mile to the west of town.”

“For more information on the dam, the impact zone, and the test itself, — including how you can expect the siren to sound — go to www.occoquandamsiren.com.”

Friends of the Occoquan: “On a cold and windy Saturday morning, eighty volunteers cleaned up the Occoquan River/Reservoir. Collectively, they removed 45 trash and 49 recyclable bags, including two tires, one car door, two pallets, two tarps, one bench seat, one paint bucket, one plastic board, and multiple balls. Three balls were taken home by the children.”

“Volunteer Sheldon Greenberg concentrated on picking up cigarette butts, filling a quarter of a large plastic bag. Cub Scout Pack 1365 came out in full force with 23 members and high school students from several Eastern PWCounty schools, including returning kayakers, SEVTech1 employees, and families with their children.”

“FOTO thanks all their devoted volunteers for helping clean up the Occoquan Watershed and the park managers’ cooperation, their helpful staff, and our sponsors.”

Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “As we gear up for Occoquan’s annual Spirit & Spirits Halloween event the last weekend in October, please consider volunteering to help out with setting up our popular Haunted Maze [Saturday, October 28, 2023]. The maze boasts 15 themed areas and 32 scare zones (we rate the maze PG-13 – it’s for adults and brave, older kids). All the net proceeds from the maze benefit the Occoquan 501(c)(3) organization Patriots for Disabled Divers, which uses scuba as a therapeutic tool for wounded warriors. To volunteer to help set up the maze go to https://form.jotform.com/232664710969163.”

Friends of the Occoquan: “The new date for the river clean-up is set for October 21, 2023. We sincerely hope that you can adjust your schedules and join us on this rescheduled date. Your participation is invaluable to us, and your efforts contribute to the betterment of our community and environment.”

“Thank you once again for your unwavering support. We look forward to seeing you on October 21st. In the meantime, please stay safe and well.”

Organizers canceled the original event planned for October 14, 2023, due to rain.

Greetings, Prince William – It’s Fall Cleanup Season, and we have several opportunities where families who love the environment can get together to help beautify the community:

• Join Leopold’s Preserve, Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District and Bull Run Mountains Conservancy for the 4th Annual Pond Cleanup October 14, 9am-12pm at Leopold’s Preserve.  All ages welcome!  No previous experience or tools required; grabbers and trash bags will be provided. Be prepared to work outside to get dirty, bring along a water bottle, and a smile. Waterproof boots/shoes that go up past the ankle are encouraged.  Volunteers will walk the edges of the pond collecting trash and debris to prevent it from running into the Broad Run. Please meet at the Green Bay Street cul-de-sac, at approximately 16051 Green Bay Street, Haymarket.  Carpooling is encouraged.  Please visit https://bit.ly/3rER2PD to learn more.
• The awesome folks at Friends of the Occoquan are holding their annual Fall River Cleanup October 14, 9am-12pm at various sites in Prince William and Fairfax County.  It’s family friendly and you’ll feel great as you help make these places beautiful again for all to enjoy!  Preregistration is recommended, please visit www.friendsoftheoccoquan.org to view the list of sites.  Please email [email protected] with volunteer names, selected site and check-in time.
• Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District is also hosting a Cleanup of Little Bull Run October 14, 9am-12pm.  All ages welcome!  If you have cleanup supplies such as gloves, vests, grabbers, etc., you’re welcome to bring them with you.  Refreshments and free t-shirts will be available!  Parking is available at Bull Run Middle School, 6308 Catharpin Road, Gainesville 20155.  Please email [email protected] to sign up and learn more.
• The Town of Dumfries is holding a Town Cleanup event to remove litter from various locations around Dumfries on October 21, 8:30am-12pm at 17757 Main Street. Volunteers age 18+ welcome, volunteers under 18 are welcome to volunteer with a parent.  It’s a great family-friendly event which will help beautify this historic town!  All cleanup supplies will be provided; please consider bringing a reusable water bottle.  Please visit https://bit.ly/48E96Ka to sign up, email [email protected] for more information.

Other opportunities:

• Matt, a local resident in his 90s, served in WWII, but mobility issues threatened to limit his ability to make crucial medical appointments. Thanks to our VETS program, this widowed veteran can get a ride to the doctor and has made new friends with the volunteers. You can be a part of this program as a Volunteer Driver for Volunteer Prince William, taking veterans and their spouse/widow to medical appointments, supermarkets, etc.!  Drivers age 21+ are needed on weekdays, and schedules are flexible with most rides done between 8:30am-3pm.  You’ll feel great as you provide transportation and friendship to veterans and spouses who otherwise struggle to have their daily and medical needs met!  Please email [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.  This opportunity is made possible by a grant from Potomac Health Foundation.
• ACTS has kicked off Share the Bounty, their annual Thanksgiving program which provides Thanksgiving meals for their clients!  Donations can be dropped off through November 17 at ACTS Hunger Prevention Center, 17958 Dr. David Cline Lane, Dumfries 22026.  Donations of mashed potatoes/gravy, stuffing, canned veggies, cornbread/muffin mix, pumpkin pie/fruit filling, etc. are needed.  Volunteers will also be needed!  What a terrific way to celebrate the season, to make a holiday meal possible for food insecure families!  Please email Shirley at [email protected] to learn more.
• BEACON is already looking ahead to their Winter Session, and they’re in need of Virtual Volunteer Teachers for the period November 27-February 29.  No experience needed; training is provided.  Attend a Volunteer Information Session to learn more, dates available starting October 12!  Please visit https://bit.ly/3tkZXGn for session dates and more information, email [email protected] to learn more.
• We all know how expensive kids’ clothing is, but you can help!  The hard-working staff at Boxes of Basics has posted their October volunteer schedule.  Duties include sorting and shelving donations, packing Boxes of Basics and other assorted tasks in their warehouse located at 9239 Mike Garcia Drive, Manassas 20109.  Volunteers age 18+ needed, volunteers age 12-17 are welcome with a parent.  You’ll feel great as you help lift vulnerable kids’ spirits with seasonal wardrobes they might otherwise have to do without!  Please visit https://bit.ly/3t6kj6b to sign up.
• Brain Injury Services needs volunteers to be a PALS (Providing a Link for Survivors) for two survivors of brain injury.  Both clients live in Fairfax County and are looking for a buddy to do monthly outings for coffee, walking, shopping etc.  Helping a client get their life back in order following such a traumatic occurrence will make your day!  Please visit www.braininjurysvcs.org/volunteer/ for more information, email [email protected] to learn how you can help.
• NVFS SERVE campus is conducting a Fall Food Drive to stock the shelves at their Hunger Resource Center in Manassas.  The demand for food has increased 26% and will probably get higher as we move into Fall, so your support is crucial!  Volunteers age 16+ are needed to assist with unloading, sorting and organizing food October 20-27 at Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Lane, Manassas 20110.  Be prepared to lift up to 25 pounds and be OK standing for the duration of a shift.  You’ll feel great knowing you’re helping ensure SERVE can meet the increased needs of its client families during the holiday season!  Please register at http://fallfooddrive.nvfs.volunteerhub.com/, email Navara at [email protected] with any questions.  Want to donate to the food drive?  Please visit www.nvfs.org/support/fall-food-drive/ for more information.
• If you love history, the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton wants to meet you! Their Lucy Burns Museum is looking for people-loving Docents to share the 90+ year history of this facility.  Volunteers receive training and are expected to commit to a 2-year period of volunteering.  You’ll enjoy interacting with visitors while sharing the colorful and sometimes controversial history of this center!  Please visit https://bit.ly/46lEZ8M to view details, email [email protected] for more information and to apply.

  

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.