Call to Action - November 3, 2023
Greetings, Prince William - Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is only 3 weeks away and these food assistance programs can use your help:
- ACTS is working hard on Share the Bounty, 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. Please visit https://bit.ly/45JNmKB to view the list of requested items. Volunteers are also needed, especially small groups of 7 or less. Key volunteer date: November 11 (Scouting for Food). Volunteers are also needed through November to sort food and assemble Share the Bounty bags for distribution. What a terrific way to celebrate the season, to make a holiday meal possible for food insecure families! Please email Shirley at SCouteau@actspwc.org to learn more.
- Manassas City Public Schools is hosting a food drive to support families in need whose children attend Manassas City schools. Holiday food items such as stuffing mix, canned veggies, instant potatoes, cranberry sauce, etc. are needed. Donations can be brought to the MCPS Central Office, 8700 Centreville Road Suite 200, Manassas 20110 through November 15. Please call 571.377.6096 or email mcowell@mcpsva.org to learn more.
Other volunteer opportunities:
- 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 utat@volunteerprincewilliam.org for more information. Volunteer help will be needed to sort toys and deliver Senior Baskets - stay tuned for more information!
- If you enjoy working with wildlife, the staff at Animal Education and Rescue Organization (A.E.R.O.) wants to meet you! They have several volunteer needs such as Animal Care, Wildlife Rehab, Education/Outreach and more. No experience necessary, just a love and commitment to help our local wildlife as they face many challenges in this area. An Information Night is being held November 8, 6pm-8pm where you can learn more. Please visit https://bit.ly/46YktLK to learn more and register, email volunteer@aeroanimalrescue.org to learn more.
- Boxes of Basics has a need for volunteers during November to help assemble boxes of clothing for needy children in our area. They currently have nearly 100 kids on their waitlist, so help is urgently needed! You'll feel great as you help vulnerable children get the clothing they need to get through the coming cold weather! The November volunteer calendar is up, please visit https://bit.ly/3t6kj6b to sign up.
- Girls on the Run Northern Virginia is hosting their Fall 5K November 18 at Dulles Town Center and again on November 19 Pentagon City Arlington. They need a lot of volunteers at both events to help with registration, parking lot direction/support, assisting runners at the Start Line, water stops along the course, cheering on the runners as they pass and Finish Line support such as snacks and medals. Corporate groups are especially encouraged to help support this event which supports the mission to positively impact the health and well-being of the girls of Northern Virginia, their families and the volunteer coaches who serve them. Please visit gotrnova.org to sign up, email mfay@gotrnova.org for more information.
- Attention Home Improvement fans! The awesome staff at Habitat for Humanity Prince William County are making repairs and updates on three local Boys & Girls Clubs in our community (Alloy, Heiser and Hylton) the week of November 13-18. Volunteers are needed to help, so haul out your toolboxes and sign up today by visiting the Volunteer Calendar at habitatpwc.org. Individuals, groups and corporate teams are welcome, there's lots of slots! You'll feel great knowing your work will help provide children with safe, decent, and inviting places to grow and expand! Please email fzoch@habitatpwc.org for more information.
- Mark your calendars! Prince William County Solid Waste Division will hold a free Document Shred Event for Prince William area residents on Saturday, November 18, 9am-1pm (or until trucks reach capacity). The event will be held at Pfitzner Stadium, 7 County Complex Court, Woodbridge, former home of the Potomac Nationals baseball team. This is for PWC area residents, no business or commercial shredding will be accepted. It's a wonderful way to safely dispose of those old documents which are cluttering up your home! Please visit https://bit.ly/3SiUhHm to learn more.
- Get into the holiday spirit by being a Bell Ringer for Salvation Army-Prince William! Volunteers are needed throughout the holidays for both the east and west ends of the County. 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.
- Is your office or group looking for a project? SERVE's Family Shelter needs volunteer groups of 5-7 people who can prepare home-cooked meals for its residents for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's! It's not too early to plan, and this is a terrific team-building opportunity for 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, email jrmartinez@nvfs.org or call 571.748.2674 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 museum@workhousearts.org 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.
