Call to Action for 10/16/2024
Family-Friendly
Greetings, Prince William: We're getting so many requests for volunteers that we'll be publishing Call to Action twice a week for the time being. The mid-week column will focus on those events that are family-friendly to help younger volunteers looking for service hours. Please be sure to take note of all the volunteer possibilities available, email jhawkins@volunteerprincewilliam.org if you have any questions. Thank you!
· The dedicated staff at Boxes of Basics reports they have an URGENT need for short-sleeved shirts for both Boys and Girls since they're currently providing clothing for over 100 children weekly! Boys' sizes range from 5 through 16, for Girls' sizes from size 6 through 16. You can do one of three things to help: 1) Donate gently used, clean clothing; 2) Shop at home on their Amazon wish list: https://a.co/ig2zwK3; or 3) Pick up some shirts on your next shopping trip! You'll feel great as you help vulnerable kids have fresh, clean clothing they can wear to school, playtime, etc.! Please email info@boxesofbasics.org for more information.
· That rustling of feathers and "Gobble Gobble" you're hearing can mean only one thing - Thanksgiving is near! The hard-working staff at Prince William County Community Foundation is conducting a Thanksgiving Food Drive to provide those in need with a holiday meal! The drive runs through November 1 and items such as stuffing, cranberry sauce, apple sauce, veggies, mac and cheese, etc. are needed. Donations can be brought to Motiv8 Church, 14654 Joplin Road, Manassas 20112 on Mondays and Tuesdays, 10am-3pm. Donations are also being accepted at Habitat for Humanity's ReStore, 10159 Hastings Drive in Manassas! Your donations will help vulnerable families in our community enjoy a holiday meal! Please email info@pwccfoundation.org to learn more. PS - Volunteers will be needed in November, stay tuned!
· You can help vulnerable families have a holiday meal for Thanksgiving! ACTS' Share the Bounty distribution is coming in November, and they would love to have volunteers help with sorting donations and assembling the Share the Bounty bags during October and November. This will take place in their Food Donation Center, 17958 Dr. David Cline Drive, Dumfries, Monday-Thursday. Volunteer hours are flexible between 9am-3:30pm. You'll feel great knowing your giving spirit will help food insecure families have a Happy Thanksgiving! Please email SCouteau@actspwc.org to learn how you can help.
· The wonderful folks at ACTS are holding their IWalk for ACTS 5K and festival fundraiser October 19 at Stonebridge at the Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge. Volunteers are needed to help set up the course, act as Course Marshals and break down the course once the walk/run is finished. Volunteers age 16+ welcome, volunteers under 16 are welcome to volunteer with a parent. It's a wonderful way to get outdoors in the Fall weather and help raise funds which helps ACTS keep its many programs functioning! Please visit www.iwalkforacts.com and click on Volunteer to submit an online form.
· You can help support the fight to end Alzheimer's disease! The Walk to End Alzheimer's VA-Tri Counties is this Saturday, October 19 at Harris Pavilion in Manassas. Volunteers are needed to help set up, register walkers, be route monitors, cheer the walkers and much more! You'll feel great as you take part in this event which is raising funds to find a cure to end this devastating disease! Please visit https://bit.ly/3YpusrT and click on the link for Volunteer for more information and to sign up. Please email samartey@alz.org to learn more.
· Mark your calendars for the NVFS Fall Food Drive to support the SERVE Hunger Resource Center and fight food insecurity! The whole family can get involved - donation drop-off dates are October 22 and 23 at Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Lane, Manassas 20110. Please visit www.nvfs.org/support/fall-food-drive/ for a list of requested foods. Volunteer opportunities are available October 18-November 1, please email ncannon@nvfs.org for details.
· Help SERVE's Hunger Resource Center get their shelves re-stocked! On November 1, 9am-2pm SERVE is holding "Unstuff the Truck" at SERVE's Hunger Resource Center, 10056 Dean Drive, Manassas 20110. Volunteers age 16+ are needed to help unload, weigh, sort and place donated food into the designated locations in the warehouse. Be prepared to lift up to 20 pounds; volunteers should be able to volunteer for the entire shift. It's a great way to get in service hours and help re-stock the Hunger Resource Center so SERVE can continue to provide food assistance to local food insecure families! Please email ncannon@nvfs.org for more information.
· Is your group, club or family looking for a volunteer project this winter? The dedicated staff at Streetlight Community Outreach Ministries will be opening their hypothermia shelter located at 14716 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge November 1 and groups are needed to prepare and drop off meals for 30 adult residents 11/1/2024 through 3/30/2025. Meals should be prepared off-site and dropped off at the shelter between 6:30pm-7pm. Your group's donation will provide the homeless with a hot, nourishing meal they can enjoy during the cold winter months! Please visit https://bit.ly/3XXR5SR to sign up and get more information. Please email thermalshelter@thestreetlight.org or call 571.677.2883 to learn more.
· Save the Date! The Bull Run Watershed Protectors invite families, work colleagues, friends and school organizations to their Bull Run Watershed Fall Cleanup 2024 on November 9, 9am-11am. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to help with cleaning the stream valley behind Costco, across Lomond to Ashton Rd. and the shops/restaurants adjacent down to Walgreens at Sudley Manor Road in Manassas. Volunteers should meet at Walgreens parking lot, 10671 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas 20109. Safety vests, grabbers and gloves will be on hand to borrow; water to refill reusable water bottles will be provided (bring your bottles!). Prior volunteer groups have helped to remove over 12,000 lbs. of trash since 2018, resulting in the return of birds and amphibians to the area! You can be a part of this successful project! Please visit https://bit.ly/4eyYi2x to sign up and 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.
