October brings plenty of volunteer opportunities

By MARY FOLEY
Published: September 28, 2008

Good morning Prince William. I’m having another one of those moments where I can’t believe it’s almost October but here we are and there are really fun things coming up this month.

Those fabulous RSVP volunteers in partnership with Potomac Woods Senior living apartments and the Resource Mothers program are sponsoring a Woods Walkers Fair this Saturday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are invited to participate with food and fun to support the Alzheimer’s Association. Also please don’t forget that it is this wonderful group of seniors that sponsor The Babes in the Woods Shop. This shop provides baby items to the teen moms in the Resource Mothers Program as well as the opportunity for seniors to help the teen moms in other ways. Donations of baby items, clothing, toys and such are always welcome so the teens can provide for their babies and most importantly, stay in school. The shop could also use another bookcase to display items in the shop. Please call Diane at 703-369-5292, Ext. 207, if you can help with any of the activities of this super group of committed seniors.

Also this Saturday is the 16th Annual Fall for Fairfax KidsFest right up the way at the Fairfax Government Center. Volunteers are still needed as line monitors for the KidZone, or at stroller parking, cotton candy operations, petting zoo line or at the afternoon volunteer check-in. Volunteer shifts are just four hours each and promise to be great fun. Please call Meagan at 703-324-5457 to help at this event.

The Blue Ridge Assistance Dogs group cordially invites you to its Annual Walk for Independence on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jennie Dean Park in Manassas. This is the perfect opportunity for you and your dog to get out and walk for a great cause, have fun with the contests and learn from the demonstrations. The 1-mile walk is at 10 a.m. with all the other festivities following. You may register online for $25 at http://www.blueridgeassistancedogs.org or in person on walk day for $30. All walkers receive a T-shirt and please bring your dogs’ vaccination records. Please call Cathy at 703-369-5878 or visit their Web site for all the specifics. This promises to be a great day for you and your best pal.

The wonderful folks at Northern Virginia Family Service have a wonderful new literacy program for adults from Oct. 7 to Dec. 11 in Falls Church. I know this is a bit far to travel but I’m hoping it would be an easy way to help on your way home from work on either Tuesday or Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Your help is needed in both a classroom setting or to help kids with homework or other constructive activities. Please call Monica at 703-219-2193 to learn more about this super program.

Last but certainly not least, The Habitat for Humanity folks are simply jumping this time of year. Volunteers are needed to provide lunch to the workers at the Alstadter home this weekend. I know your famous ham and cheese sandwich is ready for primetime! The hot deal at the ReStore this week is cabinets. This is your perfect opportunity for that honey-do project. Lastly, volunteers are needed to help man the Habitat display at PWC Recycles Day on Nov. 1 at the Landfill from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 to 3 p.m. Please e-mail them at: to help with any of these fun projects.

If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call my wonderful team at the Voluntary Action Center. Diane can help senior volunteers with Retired and Senior Volunteer (RSVP) opportunities at 703-369-5292, Ext. 207; Shelley can help with 1-800 volunteer opportunities at 703-369-5292, Ext. 201; Sue can help you with the Medical Reserve opportunities available in Disaster Preparedness at 703-369-5292, Ext. 204; and Bonnie can help you with all the other many opportunities available in Disaster Preparedness at 703-369-5292, Ext. 202. Or please don’t forget our web site at http://www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community. Until next week, please stay safe.

Mary Foley is the executive director of the Voluntary Action Center in Manassas.