Greetings, Prince William – StreetLight Community Ministries needs volunteers to provide a nourishing dinner for 30 people each night at the Bill Mehr Drop-In Center, 14716 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge, through March 31.  Meals should be prepared at home and provided in disposable aluminum pans or serving trays; drop-off is between 6:15 pm and 7 pm only.  Desserts and sides are also appreciated but not required.  It’s a fantastic group project, and you’ll feel great knowing you are providing a delicious home-cooked meal for our homeless neighbors!  Please visit https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/lowvd4/ to sign up.  If you sign up to bring a meal and cannot honor your commitment/make it on time, please email [email protected] or call 571.677.2883.

• Back by popular demand, BEACON is bringing back their Scrabble Scramble Fundraiser on February 24, 5 pm-8 pm!  The venue has changed; it’s now at Linton Hall School Gym, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow 20136.  Tickets for a team of 4 are $120 and include two rounds of competitive Scrabble, food, and drinks.  Raffle prizes and 50/50 add to a fun evening for a fantastic cause!  Please visit https://bit.ly/3SbALec to purchase tickets, and email [email protected] to learn more.
• You’re under 12 and need to do service hours for school, church, or club, but most agencies want youth volunteers to be at least 12 or older and volunteer with an adult.  The wonderful staff at Boxes of Basics has some great ideas on how you can help kids in urgent need of clothing!  Help out and feel great as you learn the joy of giving back and making a difference in the lives of kids your age!  Please visit www.boxesofbasics.org/young-volunteers for suggestions, email [email protected], or call 571.338.3369 for more information.
• Capital Caring Health is seeking certified dogs (with their owners) to provide friendly visits to their hospice patients and families. Dogs need to be certified by a dog certifying organization and must be current on shots and a dog license.  You’ll feel wonderful knowing your pet will bring much love, comfort, and great joy to those facing life-limiting illnesses.  Please email [email protected] to learn more.
• Grace United Methodist Church, 9750 Wellington Road, Manassas 20110, is holding its next session of ESL from March 11 to May 22.  They need volunteers age 18+ to help as Classroom Aides on Monday and/or Wednesday evenings, 7 pm-9 pm.  No experience is necessary, and you’ll enjoy working with students as they improve their English language skills!  An orientation/training will be held on March 3 at 12:30 pm, and a light lunch will be provided.  Please email [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.
• It may be chilly outside, but Girls on The Run Northern Virginia is already preparing for their Spring season, March 4 to May 19!  Girls on the Run is more than a running program; it’s also a positive youth development program that teaches key life skills like confidence and teamwork through various activities.  They’re looking for volunteer Coaches to coach teams in greater Prince William County for the session.  No running experience is needed; just have a desire to support and encourage the next generation.  Must commit to 2-3 hours a week for the season, with a few additional hours required for Coach Training and the GOTR NOVA season-ending 5K celebration. Coaches receive all the tools and support they need and find that they get as much out of coaching as they give.  You’ll feel awesome as you help young girls gain confidence in themselves and their abilities!  Learn more and apply at https://bit.ly/3tD9md1.  Please email [email protected] to learn more.
• The fun folks at Habitat for Humanity-Prince William County are holding a Cleanup at the Hylton Boys & Girls Club, 5070 Dale Boulevard, Woodbridge, on February 17, 9 am-3 pm.  Volunteers (including volunteers with muscles) are needed to help trim weeds, tear down a couple of sheds, assemble furniture, and stain benches.  It’s a terrific way to spend the Presidents Day weekend and the staff at the Boys & Girls Club will appreciate all your hard work!  Please visit www.habitatpwc.org and click on their Volunteer Calendar to sign up; email [email protected] to learn more.
• The Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Center in Woodbridge needs volunteers aged 21+ to assist their residents in finding jobs, including jobs that allow for remote work.  Meetings would be held with shelter residents at Hilda Barg on any day and time that would fit the volunteer’s schedule.  Volunteers must successfully complete a background check; computer and job searching experience is a must.  You’ll feel great as you help a resident get back on their feet by helping them find steady employment and become independent again!  Please email [email protected] to learn more.
• Attention Theatre Lovers!  Prince William Little Theatre needs volunteers to help build sets for their next play, “Stick Fly,” beginning this Saturday, February 3, 10 am-1 pm through March 2.  No experience is necessary.  It's a fantastic way to get involved with a production; behind-the-scenes work like sets are just as important as the actors themselves!  Please email [email protected] for more information.
• Save the Date!  Prince William Trails & Streams Coalition is hosting the Neabsco Boardwalk Cleanup March 2, 9 am-12pm.  Two locations will be worked on:  Neabsco Regional Park and Neabsco Eagles Park.  All ages are welcome and it’s a beautiful chance to get out with the family and beautify these two spots in Prince William County!  Please visit https://bit.ly/3U7NlOi for more information and a link to register.  Please email [email protected] for more information.
• Saved Hands Foundation is marking its 35^th anniversary this year, and they have a busy schedule ahead!  If you enjoy event planning, they need your skills to help them prepare for their upcoming Community Health Fair/Backpack Giveaway in August and their Gala to celebrate 35 years in October.  Admin skills are a tremendous help, and a desire to connect with the community will do much to make these events successful!  Please call Pam at 571.406.5112 or email [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.
• If you enjoy helping in the kitchen, the staff at SERVE wants to meet you!  They’re looking for a volunteer Shelter Kitchen Assistant age 18+ to help the shelter cook on weekdays, 11 am-2 pm.  Duties include assisting with meal preparation, serving lunch/cleaning up after the meal, maintaining overall cleanliness of the kitchen, including countertops, dishes, etc., and more.  You’ll feel good knowing you’re helping to keep daily kitchen operations going smoothly and also serving a nutritious meal to those coping with homelessness!  Please visit https://bit.ly/3UpvFxD for details, and 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.

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Greetings, Prince William – The Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Center in Woodbridge needs volunteers age 21+ to assist their residents in finding jobs, including jobs that allow for remote work. Meetings would be held with shelter residents at Hilda Barg on any day and time that would fit the volunteer’s schedule. Volunteers must complete a background check; computer and job searching experience is a must. Please email [email protected] to learn more.

• BEACON for English Language & Literacy is recruiting Volunteer Teachers for their spring classes, March 18–June 6. Volunteers are provided with a formal textbook curriculum that incorporates listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Volunteers use the textbook to develop a lesson plan that provides additional opportunities for practice that emphasizes conversation practice and student engagement. You’ll feel great as you help adults gain the confidence and learn the language skills needed to get a job, communicate with their children's teachers, talk with their doctor, or pursue higher education! Apply today – please visit https://bit.ly/3vyTJ73 or email [email protected] for more information.
• Back by popular demand, BEACON is also bringing back their Scrabble Scramble Fundraiser on February 24, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at Manassas Baptist Church (8730 Sudley Road, Manassas 20110)! Tickets for a team of 4 are $120.00, and include two rounds of competitive Scrabble, food, and drinks. Raffle prizes and 50/50 add to a fun evening for a fantastic cause! Please visit https://bit.ly/3SbALec to purchase tickets, and email [email protected] to learn more.
• Brain Injury Services (BIS) urgently needs volunteers to be PALS (Providing a Link for Survivors) for survivors of brain injury. This is a one-to-one friendship program for brain injury survivors; the program connects BIS clients with volunteers who can help them socialize in the community and rebuild social skills through friendship. Helping a client get their life back on track following such a traumatic occurrence will make your day! Please visit www.braininjurysvcs.org for more information; email [email protected] to learn how you can help.
• Capital Caring Health is seeking certified dogs (with their owners) to provide friendly visits to their hospice patients and families. Dogs need to be certified by a dog certifying organization and must be current on shots and a dog license. You’ll feel wonderful knowing your pet will bring much love, comfort, and great joy to those facing life-limiting illnesses. Please email [email protected] to learn more.
• It may be chilly outside, but Northern Virginia is already preparing for their Spring season, March 4 to May 19! Girls on the Run is more than a running program; it’s also a positive youth development program that teaches key life skills like confidence and teamwork through various activities. They’re looking for volunteer Coaches to coach teams in greater Prince William County for the session. No running experience is needed; just have a desire to support and encourage the next generation. Must commit to 2-3 hours a week for the season, with a few additional hours required for Coach Training and the GOTR NOVA season-ending 5K celebration. Coaches receive all the tools and support they need and find that they get as much out of coaching as they give. You’ll feel awesome as you help young girls gain confidence in themselves and their abilities! Learn more and apply at https://bit.ly/3tD9md1. Please email [email protected] to learn more.
• The fun folks at Habitat for Humanity-Prince William County are holding a Cleanup at the Hylton Boys & Girls Club, 5070 Dale Boulevard, Woodbridge, on February 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Volunteers (including volunteers with muscles) are needed to help trim weeds, tear down a couple sheds, assemble furniture and stain benches. It’s a terrific way to spend the Presidents Day weekend and the staff at the Boys & Girls Club will appreciate all your hard work! Please visit www.habitatpwc.org and click on their Volunteer Calendar to sign up, email [email protected] to learn more.
• Nature Lovers! Beginning in February, Leopold’s Preserve is holding their monthly Saturday Volunteer Days the third Saturday of each month, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Volunteers age 13+ are welcome; volunteers age 13-17 must volunteer with a parent/guardian. Rotating activities include trail maintenance, invasive plant management, and brush clearing. Please visit https://bit.ly/47E4u5n for more details, and register at www.leopoldspreserve.com/calendar. Please email [email protected] or call 571.358.2098 to learn more.
• Attention Theatre Lovers! Prince William Little Theatre needs volunteers to help build sets for their next play “Stick Fly” beginning this Saturday, February 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. through March 2. No experience necessary. It's a fantastic way to get involved with a production; behind-the-scenes, work like sets are just as important as the actors themselves! Please email [email protected] for more information.
• Save the Date! Prince William Trails & Streams Coalition is hosting the Neabsco Boardwalk Cleanup March 2, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Two locations will be worked on: Neabsco Regional Park and Neabsco Eagles Park. All ages are welcome and it’s a wonderful chance to get out with the family and beautify these two spots in Prince William County! Please visit https://bit.ly/3U7NlOi for more information and a link to register. Please email [email protected] for more information.
• Saved Hands Foundation is marking their 35th anniversary this year, and they have a busy schedule ahead! If you enjoy event planning, they need your skills to help them prepare for their upcoming Community Health Fair/Backpack Giveaway in August and their Gala to celebrate 35 years in October. Admin skills are a tremendous help and a desire to connect with the community will do much to make these events successful! Please call Pam at 571.406.5112 or email [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.
• If you enjoy helping in the kitchen, the staff at SERVE wants to meet you! They’re looking for a volunteer Shelter Kitchen Assistant age 18+ to help the shelter cook on weekdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Duties include assisting with meal preparation, serving lunch/cleaning up after the meal, maintaining overall cleanliness of the kitchen including countertops, dishes, etc. and more. You’ll feel good knowing you’re helping to keep daily kitchen operations going smoothly and also serving nutritious meals to those coping with homelessness! Please visit https://bit.ly/3UpvFxD for details, and 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.

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Greetings, Prince William – There’s still time to spread holiday cheer with Boxes of Basics! You can make local children’s holidays brighter by sponsoring a Box of Basics clothing.  All items go to children in need, referred by local school social workers, other nonprofits and community organizations.

Your generosity can help multiple kids.  It’s super easy: 1) Visit https://bit.ly/3MCjEA7; 2) Select a size/gender of Boxes of Basics and sign up; 3) Use the shopping list provided to help fill a box; 4) Deliver your unwrapped items at one of their convenient donation sites by December 20.  You’ll feel great knowing your purchases will help a child meet their basic clothing needs!  Please visit https://boxesofbasics.org/clothing-donations for a list of donation sites.

• You can help fight food insecurity!  The hard-working staff at ACTS is in Urgent need of volunteers to support their Food Donation Center, 17958 Dr. David Cline Lane, Dumfries 22026 on weekdays.  Flexible schedules!  Jobs include accepting and weighing donations and complete receipts when requested.  Volunteers will also shelve donations, pre-fill grocery bags, and assist NOVA Food Rescue Heroes with loading their vehicles for Home Deliveries.  You’ll feel awesome knowing you’re helping this organization provide food to over 2,000 people each month!  Please fill out an online volunteer application at www.actspwc.org, be prepared to download proof of vaccination against COVID-19.  Questions?  Please email [email protected] to learn more.
• The holidays can be difficult and sad for those who have family members dealing with life-threatening/advanced illness, or hospice care.  You and your family can brighten up the holidays for these patients and their caregivers by assembling and donating Holiday Stockings to Capital Caring Health.  It’s so easy, simply visit the dollar store to collect items such as word puzzle games, wrapped candies, non-skid socks and more.  Let your creativity flow and your donation will help make this dark period a little brighter for these clients and family members.  Please visit https://bit.ly/3RnNECI for a list of suggested items and more details.  Please email [email protected] to learn more.
• You can make a difference in the life of a child! CASA Children’s Intervention Services needs volunteers age 21+ who care about children growing up in a safe, permanent and loving home. The staff will hold their next Virtual Information Sessions on January 3, 2024, and again on January 17, 2024, 6pm-7pm each date.  Learn how you can help protect abused and neglected children in your community by becoming a volunteer advocate. Please email [email protected] or call 703.330.8145 to receive the link to the meeting or to inquire about alternate dates.
• If you’re interested in helping refugees, here’s something for you!  Catholic Charities’ Migration and Refugee Services will be holding monthly Virtual Volunteer Information Sessions the first Wednesday of each month, beginning January 3, 2024, at 5:30pm.  Sessions last one hour, and you’ll learn more about how to help newly-arrived families thrive in Northern Virginia, volunteer opportunities and the volunteer onboarding process.  Registration is required, please visit https://bit.ly/40pcwwH to sign up for a session.  Please email [email protected] or call 703.851.6388 to learn more.
• The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta invites children in grades K-12 to participate in the 2024 MLK Community Choir! The choir is scheduled to perform at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Program on January 15, 2024. It’s not too late to join – interested Prince William County, Manassas City, and Manassas Park youth can register at https://bit.ly/3sQ7PQu.  Rehearsals have started, other dates are January 12 and January 15.  Please email at [email protected] for more information.
• The City of Manassas Park needs volunteers age 18+ to assist with their Active Shooter Drill at Manassas Park Elementary School, 9298 Cougar Court, Manassas Park on January 13, 2024, and January 20, 2024, 10am-5pm each day.  They need 40-50 volunteers each day to be Actors for this drill in order to make it as realistic as possible.  Please note you may be exposed to loud noises such as gunshots, may be lying on the floor and may be asked to have moulage applied.  To sign up, please visit https://bit.ly/4af5U8V.  Please contact Francis Rath at 703.366.3858 or [email protected] with any questions.
• If your office or group is looking for projects in 2024, here’s a great one to consider!  The SERVE Family Shelter in Manassas has released its 2024 schedule of shelter meals, and groups of 5-7 volunteers age 18+ are needed to provide home-cooked meals to their residents on weekends and holidays.  Volunteers will provide, prepare and deliver nutritious meals for about 60 guests.  Groups have the option to prepare the meal offsite and do a drive-by drop-off delivery of the meal to the shelter or to prepare and serve onsite in the shelter kitchen.  You’ll feel great as you provide the warmth and comfort of a home-cooked meal to those experiencing homelessness!  Please contact Karen at [email protected] or call 571.748.2626 to learn more.
• If you enjoy helping people with their finances, Virginia Cooperative Extension has a terrific opportunity for you!  They’re in need of volunteers to go through their Master Financial Educator Certificate Program – once completed, volunteers will educate participants on topics such as Debt Management, Credit Management, Spending Plans and more.  The $80 registration fee covers a background check, USB drive containing training materials and polo shirt.  Training is provided which runs February 19-March 25.  Volunteers must commit to the full 6-week program.  You’ll feel great as you share your financial expertise to help local residents navigate their way out of debt to financial freedom and solvency!  Please email [email protected] or call 703.792.5943 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.

Greetings, Prince William – It’s All About a Kid and a Toy!

Volunteer Prince William is working hard on Untrim a Tree, which provides gifts for children attending Title I schools in the community, along with Senior Baskets for homebound senior citizens.

Last year over 3,500 children got gifts for Christmas and over 500 Senior Baskets were donated! We anticipate the need will be just as great this year, and you can help! Individuals, groups, clubs, families, etc. can come together to make Christmas possible for everyone! New location this year: Prince William County Fairgrounds, donation drop-off dates are December 10 (9am-8pm), or December 11-12 (12pm-8pm).

An online donor form can be filled out at https://bit.ly/3QcHLYH or email [email protected] for more information. Volunteers are needed December 10-12 to help sort/organize toys, volunteers are also needed on December 13 to deliver the Senior Baskets to the senior centers in Manassas and Woodbridge. Please email [email protected] for more information on how you can help.

· Jack has over 20 years’ military service; his wife Lucy served alongside him as she kept the home and cared for their family during his many assignments and deployments. Now Jack and Lucy have health and mobility issues which have forced them to give up driving, yet they still need to get to the doctor. But thanks to our VETS program, Jack and Lucy receive rides to their appointments and have made many 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.

· The hard-working staff at Boxes of Basics has posted their December volunteer calendar! Can you help them meet their goal of packing 100 Boxes for needy children before Winter Break? You’ll feel great as you work to provide needy kids with warm clothing for this winter! All packing will be done at their facility located at 9239 Mike Garcia Drive, Manassas 20109. Please visit https://bit.ly/3t6kj6b to sign up.

· Brain Injury Services needs a volunteer to be a PALS (Providing a Link for Survivors) for a brain injury survivor in Prince William County. The client is 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.

· You can help foster kids have a wonderful holiday! CASA CIS’ 3rd Annual Give the Joy of Toys fundraiser is now live, and they need help from the community to help purchase toys from their Amazon wish list. The toys will be delivered directly to their offices, and on December 6, their advocates have the chance to “shop” from the donated toys for gifts for their CASA kids! It’s a wonderful fundraising event for both the children served and their advocates, who have so much fun coming to pick out toys and socialize with staff and other supervisors. Please visit their Amazon wish list here: https://a.co/h3YCTNI and call 703.330.8145 for more information.

· It’s getting close! The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade is two weeks away, and they need Volunteer Elves age 18+ to support Santa Lights Manassas on December 1 and the Christmas Parade on December 2! Duties include helping stage the participants, answer spectators’ questions and keep everyone safe so they can enjoy the parade and the tree lighting. What better way to enjoy “Christmas in Toyland,” plus you get to see all the floats and bands close up! Please visit https://bit.ly/465msNf to fill out an online volunteer form, email [email protected] for more information. There will be a meeting of volunteers on November 29, 6pm-8pm at The Salisbury Center, 8890 Mathis Avenue, Manassas 20110 to discuss the parade and answer questions.

· Manassas City Public Schools is accepting donations of new toys and gift cards to support families in need whose children attend Manassas City schools. Donations can be brought to the MCPS Central Office, 8700 Centreville Road Suite 200, Manassas 20110 through December 8. New or clean, gently used coats can also be brought to the MCPS Central Office through November 20. Please call 571.377.6096 or email [email protected] to learn more.

· Get into the holiday spirit by being a Bell Ringer for Salvation Army-Prince William Corps! Volunteers are needed through Christmas Eve for the entire County. Duties include ringing the bell, greeting the public, assisting donors, maintaining monitoring of the kettle and cash and any other duties as needed. Volunteers age 18+ welcome, volunteers age 12-17 are welcome to volunteer with an adult. You’ll feel great knowing that all money raised stays in our community, supporting Salvation Army programs that help greater Prince William families! Please visit https://registertoring.com to sign up and learn more.

· Remember our fallen veterans by participating in Wreaths Across America, being held December 17, 10am-3pm at Quantico National Cemetery. To participate in wreath laying, please visit https://bit.ly/47vLqGB to register. It’s a wonderful way to honor our veterans and Remember, Honor and Teach their service and sacrifice to younger family members. Volunteers are also needed on December 16 and 17 to provide support to this event. Please visit https://bit.ly/46b0SHi to sign up. For more information, please email [email protected].

· Quantico National Cemetery is in Urgent need of sponsored wreaths for this year’s Wreaths Across America, as their normal supplier is no longer available. You can sponsor a wreath by visiting https://bit.ly/49wCuCL, then scroll down to the button marked Sponsor Wreaths. The wreaths are $17 and will be used at Quantico. It’s a wonderful way to support this program, especially if you are unable to attend in person. Please email [email protected] to learn more.

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.

Volunteer Prince William: “Do you have a “Shining Star” volunteer at your organization? Please consider nominating them for the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Volunteerism & Community Service Awards! Nominations are open until 5pm, June 19, 2023. Ten categories are available for individuals and organizations to recognize outstanding service! Please visit bit.ly/3qa8ri5 for more information and to submit your nomination. For more information, please email [email protected].”

“If you’re passionate about fighting hunger, the staff at Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) wants to meet you! They have a need for volunteers to help in their Hunger Prevention Center with food donations, assembling food packages and helping with client intakes. You’ll feel great knowing you are helping our food insecure neighbors get the help they need to feed their families! Please email [email protected] for more information.”

“You can be a friend to a wounded veteran! Brain Injury Services is looking for a PALS volunteer (Providing a Link for Survivors) to be a friend and pickleball player to a combat wounded veteran with a brain injury. The volunteer would travel to McLean 1-2 times a month. Please email [email protected] or call 451.8881, ext.232 for more information.”

Greetings, Prince William – Here’s an opportunity to help with a disaster exercise!  Prince William County and Marine Corps Base Quantico responders and emergency managers are conducting a Training Exercise to validate capabilities used in an emergency.

First responders and Marines need Volunteer Actors who can simulate survivors of an emergency event. The exercise will take place on Thursday, May 25^th, 2023, from 7:30 am–3 pm at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle 22172. Lunch will be provided. All volunteer actors must preregister and receive confirmation that they have been cleared to participate in the exercise; as such, no walk-up volunteers can be accommodated. For more information or to register, please visit https://ess.ascenttra.com/Registration/PrinceWilliamQuanticoFSEActors/.

• If you’re passionate about fighting hunger, the staff at Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) wants to meet you!  They have a need for volunteers to help in their Hunger Prevention Center with food donations, assembling food packages, and helping with client intakes.  You’ll feel great knowing you are helping our food-insecure neighbors get the help they need to feed their families!  Please email [email protected] for more information.
• You can be a friend to a wounded veteran!  Brain Injury Services is looking for a PALS volunteer (Providing a Link for Survivors) to be a friend and pickleball player to a combat-wounded veteran with a brain injury.  The volunteer would travel to McLean 1-2 times a month.  Please email [email protected] or call 703.451.8881, ext.232, for more information.
• Catholic Charities has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities!  Volunteers are needed to welcome new immigrants, become friends/support older immigrants, support youth services, interpret/translate languages between clients and staff, deliver critically needed items to immigrant families, manage donations, and more!  You’ll get a warm feeling as you help welcome immigrants from other countries into our culture!  Please email [email protected] to learn more.
• Dog Lovers! Guiding Eyes for the Blind needs volunteer Puppy Raisers in Prince William and Stafford County to care for adorable, purpose-bred puppies during their first 14-18 months. Raisers provide the pup with the love, socialization, house manners, and basic obedience they will need to succeed in guide dog training. You’ll meet other dog lovers while learning life lessons and taking pride in knowing you’re doing something extraordinary! No previous dog experience is required, and current pet owners are welcome.  Please visit https://bit.ly/3pc9wpb for more information on this family-friendly opportunity; email [email protected] to learn more.
• “Busy Bee” volunteers are needed!  The Manassas Bee Festival will be held June 24 at Liberia House, 8601 Portner Avenue, Manassas 20110, and volunteers of all ages are needed to make this a “honey” of an event!  The day begins at 7:30 am and wraps up by 3:30 pm. Duties include helping set up the evening before (June 23), helping the day of the event (June 24) with assisting vendors, water for farm animals, assisting and guiding experts/music acts, directing parking, greeting people, safely assisting the beekeepers with supplies and help with any last minute set-up and other jobs as needed.  Volunteers of all ages are welcome, although volunteers age 15 and under should volunteer with an adult.  Please visit www.manassasbeefestival.com and click on Contact to sign up.  Questions?  Please email [email protected].
• If you enjoy children, here’s a fun event! Northern Virginia Family Service’s Healthy Families program is holding a Summer Picnic for their client families, and volunteers are needed to make this a fun afternoon for everyone.  The picnic will be held June 7, 4 pm-7 pm at Signal Hill Park, 9300 Signal View Drive, Manassas Park 20111.  Duties include engaging kids and their guardians at fun activity stations such as a water play area, chalk area, obstacle course, grill food, infant tummy time tent, etc.  Volunteers aged 16+ are welcome. Volunteers aged 13-15 must volunteer with a parent or guardian.  Volunteers must be available to work the full shift and are asked to be vaccinated.  You’ll feel great and have loads of fun as you provide an afternoon of activities, games, and tasty food for vulnerable families!  Please email [email protected] to learn more.
• If you have Mondays off, the hard-working staff at Northern Virginia Food Rescue has a great volunteer opportunity for you!  Starting at the end of May, they need volunteers on Monday mornings, 8 am-11 am, to help sort through the donations of produce they’ll be receiving from the Dale City Farmer’s Market.  Their warehouse is located at 10535 Battleview Parkway, Manassas 20109.  Your work will help make healthy fruits and vegetables accessible to food-insecure families in our local community!  What better way to enjoy summer than by eating some fresh, healthy produce?  Please email [email protected] for more information.
• St. Thomas UMC Food Pantry needs volunteers age 18+ to help with weekly pickups of donated food from area grocery stores.  Donations are typically picked up between 8 am-10 am Monday-Saturday and delivered to the food pantry at St. Thomas UMC, 8899 Sudley Road, Manassas 20110.  A larger vehicle/minivan is recommended due to the amount of donated food.  Volunteers should be prepared to lift boxes weighing approximately 40 pounds.  You’ll feel great as you help deliver food that will be given to food-insecure families in our community!  Please email [email protected] to learn how you can fight hunger.

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.

Greetings, Prince William – The date has been set!  The awesome folks at Habitat for Humanity Prince William County are hosting a Women’s Day Build on May 6, 9am-6pm!  The project is to be announced, but ladies, get those hammers, saws and nails ready to do some good work benefiting vulnerable families in the community!  Space is limited, so please visit www.habitatpwc.org/volunteer/ and click on Volunteer Calendar to sign up; email [email protected] to learn more.

Are you a cycling enthusiast?  The Ride to End ALZ Nation’s Capital is on Sunday, May 7 in Leesburg, VA and day of event volunteers age 13+ are needed! Volunteers are the backbone of the Ride, making the event safe and fun for everyone. Shifts range from 3 hours to all day long. This is great opportunity for families, student and community groups and you’ll feel great as you support this event which is raising awareness of the goal to end Alzheimer’s Disease!  Please visit https://bit.ly/3KSgqHm to sign up, contact [email protected] or 833-239-RIDE (7433) for more information.

You can help cut the risk of injuries or death from home fires!  American Red Cross needs volunteers to support the Sound the Alarm rally in Triangle on April 29, 9am-3pm.  Partnering with the Prince William County Fire Department, volunteers will visit homes to install free smoke alarms and share home fire safety education materials.  Families and friends welcome! Training will be provided on-site so previous experience is not needed.  It promises to be a fun day of preparing families against home fires and making the community safer.  Supplies such as smoke alarms, a drill, educational materials, and a map of your route for the day will be provided.  You’ll feel great knowing you’re providing a valuable service to your community and helping to save lives!  Please visit https://rdcrss.org/3U83BN6 for more information.

Brain Injury Services is looking for a PALS volunteer (Providing a Link for Survivors) to be a friend to a young woman living in Arlington, recovering from a brain injury. This would be a once a month commitment to accompany the client on outings.  Please email [email protected] or call 703.451.8881, ext.232 for more information.

You can help our senior citizens!  Prince William Area Agency on Aging is looking for Home Delivered Meals Drivers age 18+ to deliver noontime meals to homebound seniors Monday-Friday, 10am-12pm.  Routes take about 1.5 hours to complete, schedules are flexible.  The program operates out of the two senior centers located in Manassas and Woodbridge.  Volunteers must have dependable transportation, a valid driver’s license, safe driving record and proof of insurance.  Volunteers must also pass a criminal background check, paid by PWC.  You’ll get the warm fuzzies as you deliver both a smile to seniors’ faces and a hot, nutritious meal!  Please contact Tracy at 703.792.4583 or visit http://bit.ly/3IPKVfJ for more information.

If you love admin work, the folks at CFH (formerly Catholics for Housing) want to meet you!  They need a volunteer bilingual Office Assistant who can keep the day-to-day office operations going and assist callers and clients.  Duties include answer phones, help visitors, help with the website and program applications. Flexible schedule, 2-3 days a week, 4-6 hours each shift.  Bilingual skills in Spanish required.  You’ll feel great as you help this agency make affordable housing possible for their clients!  Please email [email protected] for more information.
You can make a difference in the life of a child! Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) needs volunteers age 21+ who care about children growing up in a safe, permanent and loving home. The staff will hold their next Virtual Information Sessions on May 3 and again on May 17, 6pm-7pm for both sessions.  Learn how you can help protect abused and neglected children in your community by becoming a volunteer advocate. Please email [email protected] or call 703.330.8145 to receive the link to the meeting.

Attention Feline Fans!  Last Chance Animal Rescue needs cat-loving volunteers to help with cat and kitten care and adoptions in the Manassas PetSmart, 10834 Sudley Manor Drive.  Volunteers age 14+ welcome, volunteers between ages 14-17 must volunteer with a responsible adult.  Duties include loving on the kitties, playing with and socializing them, feeding, and light cleaning including litter box scooping.  Volunteers would also help with greeting potential adopters, introducing them to the kitty guests, and processing adoptions.  Training and orientation is provided.  Be prepared to commit to one or more shifts (AM or PM) per week; hours are available weekdays and weekends.  You’ll purr with delight knowing that you’re helping to care for cats from high kill shelters and place them in loving homes!  Please visit http://bit.ly/3JxbyH0 to fill out and sign a Volunteer Agreement, please email [email protected] to learn more.

The wonderful staff at Leopold’s Preserve needs bird-loving volunteers to help monitor bluebird, purple martin or wood duck boxes.  Monitors regularly check the boxes to support data collection – how many birds use their nest boxes and how many babies are born.  They have lots of boxes and can’t monitor all of them without your help!  Please email [email protected] to learn more.

If you enjoy coaching sports, Martin K. Alloy Boys & Girls Club of Manassas wants to meet you!  They need Volunteer Coaches age 18+ to coach basketball and volleyball to youth, boys and girls.  Practices are held during the week; games are normally played on weekends.  Volunteers must be vaccinated (two doses) and successfully complete a BGCGW background check.  You’ll feel great as you work with youth and teens and watch them develop and improve their skills and performance!  Perk:  BGCGW will comp up to two children to play volleyball and/or basketball for FREE!  Must pay for annual membership:  $50 (ages 5-12) and $25 (ages 13-18).  Please email [email protected] for more information.

Guess What:  Walk MS: Manassas is back!  The walk will be held May 6 at Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas, and they need LOTS of volunteer helpers of all ages!  Duties include set up, photographer, mission tent, cheering the walkers, break down/clean up and more!  You’ll feel great as you get outdoors with your family and friends to support the goal of a world free of MS!  Please visit https://bit.ly/3MWyEd7 for more information and to sign up, email [email protected] to learn more.

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.

Greetings, Prince William – If you enjoy coaching sports, Martin K. Alloy Boys & Girls Club of Manassas wants to meet you!  They need Volunteer Coaches age 18+ to coach basketball and volleyball to youth, boys, and girls.  Practices are held during the week; games are normally played on weekends.  Volunteers must be vaccinated (2 doses) and successfully complete a BGCGW background check.  You’ll feel great as you work with youth and teens and watch them develop and improve their skills and performance!  Perk:  BGCGW will comp up to 2 children to play volleyball and/or basketball for FREE!  Must pay for an annual membership:  $50 (ages 5-12) and $25 (ages 13-18).  Please email [email protected] for more information.

If you love animals and running, we have a terrific opportunity for you!  The wonderful people at Advocates for Abused and Abandoned Pets need an experienced volunteer age 18+ to help with coordinating, managing, and executing walk/run fundraisers.  The goal is to host a 5K race in Prince William during early fall.  It’s not too early to begin planning, and you’ll feel great as you promote a healthy event that will help homeless and abused animals!  Please email [email protected] to learn more.

Brain Injury Services is looking for a PALS volunteer (Providing a Link for Survivors) to be a friend to a young woman living in Arlington, recovering from a brain injury. This would be a once-a-month commitment to accompany the client on outings.  Please email [email protected] or call 703.451.8881, ext.232, for more information.
You can help our senior citizens!  Prince William Area Agency on Aging is looking for

Home Delivered Meals Drivers age 18+ to deliver noontime meals to homebound seniors Monday-Friday, 10 am-12 pm.  Routes take about 1.5 hours to complete. Schedules are flexible.  The program operates out of the two senior centers located in Manassas and Woodbridge.  Volunteers must have dependable transportation, a valid driver’s license, safe driving record and proof of insurance.  Volunteers must also pass a criminal background check, paid by PWC.  You’ll get the warm fuzzies as you deliver both a smile to seniors’ faces and a hot, nutritious meal!  Please contact Tracy at 703.792.4583 or visit http://bit.ly/3IPKVfJ for more information.

Are you a people person?  The staff at Capital Caring Health needs a virtual volunteer to help with volunteer recruitment for their various programs.  This virtual opportunity is about 10 hours a month and involves social media, marketing, and outreach support.  This is an excellent remote opportunity; you’ll gain nonprofit management and communication experience!  Please email [email protected] to learn more.

You can make a difference in the life of a child! Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) needs volunteers age 21+ who care about children growing up in a safe, permanent and loving home. The staff will hold their next Virtual Information Session on April 19, 6pm-7pm.  Learn how you can help protect abused and neglected children in your community by becoming a volunteer advocate. Please email [email protected] or call 703.330.8145 to receive the link to the meeting.

If you love admin work, the folks at CFH (formerly Catholics for Housing) want to meet you!  They need a volunteer bilingual Office Assistant who can keep the day-to-day office operations going and assist callers and clients.  Duties include answering phones, helping visitors, help with the website and program applications. Flexible schedule, 2-3 days a week, 4-6 hours each shift.  Bilingual skills in Spanish required.  You’ll feel great as you help this agency make affordable housing possible for their clients!  Please email [email protected] for more information.

Attention, Feline Fans!  Last Chance Animal Rescue needs cat-loving volunteers to help with cat and kitten care and adoptions in the Manassas PetSmart, 10834 Sudley Manor Drive.  Volunteers aged 14+ welcome; volunteers between ages 14-17 must volunteer with a responsible adult.  Duties include loving on the kitties, playing with and socializing them, feeding, and light cleaning, including litter box scooping.  Volunteers would also help with greeting potential adopters, introducing them to the kitty guests, and processing adoptions.  Training and orientation are provided.  Be prepared to commit to one or more shifts (AM or PM) per week; hours are available on weekdays and weekends.  You’ll purr with delight knowing that you’re helping to care for cats from high-kill shelters and place them in loving homes!  Please visit http://bit.ly/3JxbyH0 to fill out and sign a Volunteer Agreement. Please email [email protected] to learn more.

Attention Plant Lovers and Gardeners!  Leopold’s Preserve, 16290 Thoroughfare Road in Broad Run, is offering a series of family-friendly training for volunteers to be certified in invasive vine removal at their facility.  Once certified, volunteers can come to the Preserve any time, on their own schedule, and independently work to remove invasive vines.  Training is required to learn more about invasive vine identification and removal techniques.  Training for 2023 will be offered on April 22, August 12, and October 14 1:30 pm-3:30 pm each date.  It’s family-friendly, and you’ll enjoy being outdoors in this beautiful facility and helping the staff as you clear out vines that could strangle trees and plants!  Please visit http://bit.ly/3J9YUNR for more information on this opportunity. Visit www.leopoldspreserve.com/calendar to sign up.

Leopold’s Preserve also needs bird-loving volunteers to help monitor bluebird, purple martin, or wood duck boxes.  Monitors regularly check the boxes to support data collection – how many birds use their nest boxes and how many babies are born.  They have lots of boxes and can’t monitor all of them without your help!  Please email [email protected] to learn more.

Is your office or club looking for a group project?  SERVE’s Family Shelter has a need for small groups of 5-7 volunteers to provide, prepare and deliver nutritious meals for about 60 guests in their shelter throughout 2023!  Volunteers have the option to prepare the meal offsite and do a drive-by drop-off delivery of the meal to the shelter or to prepare and serve onsite in the shelter kitchen.  It’s a wonderful way to give back and provide a home-cooked nutritious meal for those coping with homelessness!  Please email [email protected] or call 571.748.2674 for more information and a list of meal openings during the year.

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.

Occoquan is partnering with the Potomac Riverkeeper Network to install two water quality monitoring stations in the Occoquan River.

More in an email from Mayor Earnie Porta:

To operate, the program requires a network of volunteers who are willing to collect the scientific data from the monitoring stations on Wednesday mornings and bring the data to the PRKN’s floating lab, Sea Dog, where it is analyzed and released weekly on the SwimGuide app and PKRN’s social media pages. The more volunteers, of course, the less frequently any one individual has to collect and deliver the data.

Free training to be a Community Science Water Quality Monitor can be completed in two ways. For those who are interested in a live training session, one will be held on Wednesday, April 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at National Harbor Marina. To sign up contact Morgan Bench at [email protected]. Additionally, training may be completed by watching three training videos online and then successfully completing a Water Quality Monitoring Certification Exam. For more information on the latter go to potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/volunteer and scroll down to the section on “Community Science Water Quality Monitors.”

This is a great way to become involved in citizen science endeavors and support the health of our namesake river.