Call to Action - September 15, 2023
Greetings, Prince William - Enjoy the outdoors and help clean up the environment! Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition is holding the annual Upper Occoquan Trash Cleanup September 23, 9am-12pm. There will be several water access points where volunteers can get out on the river in canoes, kayaks and jon boats to gather trash from the shoreline. In addition to public launch points, the HOA partners along the river make their boat launches available to volunteers for the trash cleanup. Opportunities for cleanup on land are also available. It's a great family friendly event, which will help beautify the trails and waterways that run through our county! Please visit www.pwtsc.org to register. Please email waterquality@pwswcd.org for more information.
- Just In: You can help homebound senior citizens with a hot meal! The Manassas Senior Center is in Urgent need of volunteer Meals on Wheels Drivers age 18+ to support this program which provides seniors with a hot, nutritious meal. Volunteer drivers would drive at least once a month or even as frequently as weekly. The time involved is usually around 2 hours. Volunteers must be 18 years old or better, have their own transportation, and pass a background check and DMV check. Please visit https://bit.ly/3IPKVfJ to download all forms. Forms can be submitted to Sue Gilbert at SGilbert@pwcgov.org, and she will be glad to answer any questions. What a great way to support our seniors, by providing them with a home delivered hot meal along with a big smile and friendly Hello!
- "I just love going to the doctor because of your wonderful volunteer drivers!" This quote comes from an actual VETS client, and you can be part of this program! Volunteer Prince William's VETS program needs Volunteer Drivers age 21+ to provide transportation for veterans and their spouse/widow to medical appointments, supermarkets, retail and houses of worship. Schedules are flexible and most rides are 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 jhawkins@volunteerprincewilliam.org to learn how you can get involved. This opportunity is made possible by a grant from Potomac Health Foundation.
- You can help fight hunger! ACTS is in Urgent need of volunteers in their Hunger Prevention Center on weekdays to help accept, weigh and record food donations, complete receipts, sort/shelve donations, pre-fill grocery bags, and assist NOVA Food Rescue Heroes with deliveries. You'll be busy and feel good as you help provide food for hungry families and senior citizens! Please email scouteau@actspwc.org 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 Session on September 20, 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 or to inquire about alternate dates.
- If you love Fall events, we have a fun opportunity for you! Leopold's Preserve in Broad Run needs volunteers age 16+ to help manage the flow of traffic at their Fall Festival September 23. Volunteers will direct visitors to the appropriate parking areas, as well as assisting them to park in an orderly fashion in an open field being used for overflow parking. Two shifts are available: 10:30am-1pm and 1pm-3:30pm. You'll have fun being out in the fall weather and helping guests park in an orderly fashion so they can enjoy this awesome event! Please email mariepinto@whfarmfoundation.org to sign up and learn more.
- Sports Lovers! Piedmont TopSoccer needs Volunteer Buddies age 14+ for their special needs athletes during Saturday morning practices. Indoor practices are held at Vint Hill Community Center Gym, 4235 Aiken Drive, Warrenton 20187. Buddies will assist 1:1 their athletes with developmental and/or physical disabilities. Their greatest need is for assistance with athletes during the 9:30am Saturday practice for younger athletes. The Fall season runs Saturday mornings through October 21. Interested in volunteers, please email PiedmontTOPSoccer@gmail.com for more information.
- Prince William Area Agency on Aging, in Partnership with the Prince William Bar Association, is sponsoring a "Wills for Veterans" Program, to provide veterans who do not have a Last Will & Testament, Power of Attorney and/or Medical Directive with these documents, all free of charge. Three sessions will be held September 30, October 14 and 28, all at the Manassas Senior Center, 9320 Mosby Street, Manassas 20110. Volunteer attorneys, notaries and volunteers with administrative experience are needed on all 3 dates to support these sessions. You'll feel great knowing you are supporting our veterans with critically needed documents! Please email Jonathan at JFrancis@lsnv.org to sign up and ask any questions. Note: If you are a veteran who would like to sign up for this program, please email bdiehl@pwcgov.org or TSolomon@pwcgov.org. Space is limited to the first 100 veterans & their spouses who live in Manassas, Manassas Park and Prince William County.
- If you enjoy helping special needs adults/children, we've got a fantastic opportunity for you! PWC Parks and Recreation offers Adapted Recreation Programs for Children and Adults with disabilities, and they need volunteers to support their Aqua Zumba Classes are held Fridays at Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center, 13025 Chinn Park Drive, Woodbridge 22193, September 15-December 15. Volunteers will get in the water with participants and help keep them on track and focused on the activity; classes are run in 3-4 feet of water. This volunteer opportunity requires a background check. Please visit https://bit.ly/45vowOV to view details and sign up. Please email vlaughman@pwcgov.org or call 703.792.8066 to 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 in November, to include the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. 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 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.
