Call to Action - October 28, 2022
Greetings, Prince William - Gather your friends and family and come on out for a Trash Cleanup at the Neabsco Boardwalk in Woodbridge, November 5, 9am-12pm! Meeting point and parking is at Neabsco Regional Park, 15125 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge 22191. Please visit https://bit.ly/3zmQi2g to sign up. Questions? Please email secretary@pwtsc.org, or visit www.pwtsc.org for event information.
That faint "gobble, gobble" you're hearing in the distance can only mean one thing: Thanksgiving is near! Both ACTS and SERVE are gearing up for their holiday programs, and your help is needed!
- ACTS has already started "Share the Bounty" (formerly Operation Give Thanks/Operation Turkey) to make a holiday meal possible for their clients. The program runs through November 11, and food donations are urgently needed. Please visit https://bit.ly/ACTSSTB to learn how you can support this important program. Volunteers age 6+ are needed November 1-22 to assist with check-in, make Share the Bounty distribution bags, and sort donations. Please email scouteau@actspwc.org to learn more.
- SERVE is preparing for Operation Turkey which will make a holiday meal happen for their vulnerable clients in greater Prince William. Please visit https://bit.ly/SERVEOPT to learn how you can help, email jwarren@nvfs.org for more information. Volunteers age 16+ are needed to help sort/unload food and assemble food bags. Please visit www.nvfs.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/opturkey to register, email ncannon@nvfs.org to learn more about volunteering.
- Do you love wildlife? Animal Education and Rescue Organization (A.E.R.O.) has a variety of volunteer opportunities for volunteers age 16+ including Wildlife Transporter, Licensed Wildlife Caregiver and Licensed Wildlife Rehabber. Volunteers age 18+ are also needed to provide program support. It's a wonderful opportunity to help sick and injured animals gain back their health so they can be returned to the wild! Please visit aeroanimalrescue.org/volunteer/ for more information.
- Help clean up Prince William! Bull Run Watershed Protectors are holding the Bull Run Watershed Cleanup November 12, 9am-12pm. Volunteers/Groups of all ages welcome! Meet at Walgreens parking lot, 10671 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas 20109. Volunteers will clean the stream valley behind Costco, across Lomond to Ashton Road and the shops/restaurants adjacent down to Walgreens at Sudley Manor Road. If you care about the environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Please visit https://bit.ly/3yNOXBi to register for this family-friendly event.
- You can make a difference in the life of a child! Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is seeking volunteers age 21+ who care about children growing up in a safe, permanent and loving home. The staff is holding a Virtual Information Session on Wednesday, November 2, 6pm-7pm. A second session is scheduled for November 16, 6pm-7pm. Learn how you can help protect abused and neglected children in your community by becoming a volunteer advocate. Please email jpolen@casacis.org or call 703.330.8145 to receive the link to the meeting.
- Imagine being uprooted from your home country and landing in another country where you don't speak the language or know the culture. That's what many recent immigrants who have arrived here from Afghanistan and Ukraine are facing. The hard-working staff at Catholic Charities Newcomer Services have lots of volunteer opportunities for Interpreters (especially anyone who speaks the native languages of Afghanistan or Ukraine), Mentors for school-age children, Administrative Support in their offices and Instructors to teach ESOL, GED preparation, and much more. You'll feel great as you help immigrants get settled in the US and gain confidence in their new home! Please email Lea Ann at volunteer.newcomer@ccda.net to learn how you can help.
- "Haul Out the Holly…" - the 76th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade will be held December 3 at 10am, and Lots of volunteers age 18+ are needed! Duties include staging the participants, answering spectators' questions and keeping everyone safe so they can enjoy the parade. Volunteers are also needed for Santa Lights Manassas December 2 at 5:15pm. You'll feel all kinds of holiday spirit as you support this "Hometown Christmas" event! Please email Volunteers@gmchristmasparade.org for more information.
- The wonderful staff at Historic Dumfries urgently needs a volunteer Arborist who can help remove a very old pine tree near the historic house. Someone knowledgeable about trees is needed to examine and help staff determine the best course for the safety of the house and wildlife in the area. If you work for a landscaping or tree removal business that's willing to donate a few hours for this one-time need, please contact Lisa at info@historicdumfriesva.org to learn more.
- Project Food needs volunteers (age 16+) to conduct a Food & Clothing Drive. Volunteers under 16 can help with their parent's supervision. Items can be collected any time before the Assembly/Packing Day on Nov. 12. These include canned/boxed goods, clothing (new & gently used), hygiene items, housewares and bags (paper, plastic and recycle). Volunteers will help spread the word, arrange pickup and delivery of items and assist on the Assembly/Packing Day. For more info., please email Dave Edwards at dave@projectfooddmv.org or call 202-425-7841.
- The SERVE Family Shelter needs volunteer groups of 5-7 people who can prepare a home-cooked meal for residents experiencing homelessness. They have a particular need for meals on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day - what a fantastic way to have a meaningful holiday, and this is a terrific opportunity for individuals, families or small groups! Volunteers provide, prepare and deliver nutritious meals for about 60 guests on weekends and holidays. Groups can either serve in-person or prepare and drop off the meal. Please visit nvfs.org/get-involved/volunteer/ to view available meals, contact Julie at jrmartinez@nvfs.org or call 571.748.2674 to learn more.
- You can help feed food insecure families! SERVE has an Urgent need for Food Recovery Drivers, age 21+ to support their food assistance program. Volunteers drive to area grocery stores/restaurants to pick up food donations and deliver back to the Hunger Resource Center in Manassas. Be prepared to lift boxes weighing up to 50 pounds. Training is provided along with an agency van. Teens can ride with drivers to help. Just one day a week can make a life-long impact on a family in need! Please email ncannon@nvfs.org 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.
