SERVE in need of volunteers

By MARY FOLEY, For the Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger
Published: April 27, 2008

Good morning Prince William and happy National Volunteer Week! Cheers to all volunteers and many, many thanks for all you do.

I know you all are experiencing the same feeling when you go to the grocery store but please take a moment and think of families living on the edge. Those fabulous folks at the Securing Emergency Resources Through Volunteer Efforts Inc. Food Closet are very busy and need volunteers for several positions to keep the food supplies going to families. Volunteers are needed to be relief drivers on as needed basis. These drivers work Monday-Saturday pick-ing up donations from area stores and bring them back to the food pantry. You must be at least 21 years old and will receive training before you go out. Also needed are warehouse volunteers ages 16 and older to help sort and stock shelves. These volunteers work Monday through Friday. Please call Jan at 703-367-6742 to help keep food available to families in these tough times.

Those great folks at Project Mend-A-House are looking for gently used building supplies and assistive technology devices for their Builders Yard Sale on June 7. Volunteers are also needed that day. Please call 703-792-7663 to volunteer or call Buck to arrange for your donation to be picked up at 703-501-5640.

Both offices of the American Red Cross are swamped and would love your administrative help Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's a great way to do a little something while the kids are in school or just to spice up your day. Offices are in Manassas and Quantico. Please call Linda at 703-368-4511, Ext. 223, for more specifics.

I'm calling on the HAM radio folks to help with the MS Bike Ride on May 17 and 18. These wonderful bikers will travel throughout the area to raise money for The MS Society. Your specific communication capabilities are vital to the safety of the riders and volunteers out on the course. Please call Bo at 703-885-1656 or visit the MS Society Web site msandyou.org for more information.

The Dumfries Annual Charter Day celebration is coming on May 10 and it promises to be a fun day with all kinds of entertainment, games in the park, historical re-enactments, demonstrations, food and tons of fun for the whole family. Volunteers are needed to help with games including face painting, three-legged races and a watermelon eating contest to name just a few, as well as volunteers to help in the snack bar, directing people and setting up. This is a great job for all including teens age 15 and older. Please call 703-221-2218 or e-mail them at for all the specifics.

The state of the housing industry certainly has been in the news recently and the wonderful folks at First Home Alliance are gearing up for two community information days. Volunteers are needed to help them with outreach to families in trouble. There is an open house on Saturday May 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a Foreclosure Prevention Workshop on May 10. These are wonderful ways for you to learn more about this vital community program and learn how you can be part of the solution. Please call Larry at 703-580-8838, Ext. 109, for more information.

Last but certainly not least, please smack your lips together and visit Uno Chicago Grill in Park Ridge Center Ma-nassas on May 8 to eat great food with 20 percent of the receipts going to our American Red Cross chapter. This fun event is Thursday May 8 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. What a great way to not cook dinner that night!

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 volunteer princewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community. Until next week, please stay safe.