Send club or organization announcements to The Herndon Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to reston@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged. Questions? Call Michael O'Connell at 703-917-6449.
The MOMS Club of Reston supports stay-at-home moms and offers a variety of activities for mothers and their children of Reston including service projects for children in need, a baby-sitting co-op, a MOMS Night Out, playgroups, outings/field trips, and more. Attend the Sept. 13 meeting at 10:30 a.m. Representatives from Reston Interfaith, Inc. will discuss Thanksgiving-Holiday Food Baskets 2002 Program and Adopt-A-Family Program 2002. Call or e-mail for more information about the MOMS Club of Reston. 703-860-4289, restonmoms@comcast.net.
Reston Garden Club fund-raiser, the "Spring Bulb Sale," continues on Sept. 14, 21, and 28 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. outside the Lake Anne farmers market. As a new fund-raiser, on Oct. 5, the club will sell amaryllis and paper white bulbs and forcing gift kits and/or bare roots in conjunction with the Reston Association's Native Plant Sale at the Central Service Facility, 12250 Sunset Hills, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. The December "Greens Sale" is discontinued. Profits from fund-raising will be donated to RA camp scholarships, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, civic beautification, and other sources.
Beginning Sept. 23, the Birth Mother's Support Group will meet weekly in Northern Virginia. It is for any woman who has ever placed a child in adoption and would like to meet with others who have done the same. The group will be led by a licensed clinical social worker and a national certified counselor. For more information, call Pat Cunningham or Stephanie Hayden at Catholic Charities at 703-425-0100. There will be a modest fee based upon income.
An Alzheimer's Association Care-giver Support Group is facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Support groups allow families to meet other care-givers and to share experiences and care-giving tips while developing coping skills. Care-givers and family members are invited to visit. The group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 1086 Elden St., Herndon. Call the Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area before attending for verification of times and locations. Toll-free phone number: 866-259-0042.
Depression and Manic Depression Support Group. The Sterling/Reston Chapter of DRADA meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from 7-9 p.m. For location, contact Traci 703-433-1448; or Jan 703-669-5177. DRADA stands for Depressive and Related Affective Disorders Association, a non-profit self-help group sponsored by Johns Hopkins that has been in existence for over 20 years.
Amputee Support Group Of Northern Virginia, a support group for amputees, their families and friends, meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m., at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation Gym Area, Women & Children's Center, First Floor, 3300 Gallows Road in Falls Church. The cost is free and parking is provided in the garage for all cars displaying handicapped placards or license plates. The next meeting is Sept. 3. For more information, contact Irvin Axelrod at 703-222-7120 or e-mail asgnva@earthlink.net.
The Reston Newcomers Club published a cookbook, "Home Cooking," with 345 recipes. Cost is $15. Call 703-476-6152.
Orphan Foundation of America is a Reston-based organization that provides scholarships and offers mentors to parentless teens leaving foster care. Currently, the foundation has over 500 applications that require personal attention. Passionate individuals are needed to work on tasks including reviewing student and mentor applications, contacting applicants by mail, phone or e-mail, making files, etc. Volunteers are also needed to help with development by researching foundations and organizations, preparing solicitation packets and other tasks. Call 571-203-0270 or e-mail help@orphan.org for more information.
A new Weight Watchers group meets in the RCC Café on Fridays at 12 p.m. starting in September. $120 for 12 sessions. Twenty people are needed to start the group. Call Anna Dowdell, RCC Café Manager, at 703-476-4500, to add a name to the list of interested people. Participants attend weekly meetings where they share information and coping strategies and give each other moral support. They receive a variety of tools to help them track their eating habits. Participants also are provided with low-fat recipes and meal plans to help them stay on track. For further information regarding Weight Watchers, visit www.weightwatchers.com. For directions to the RCC Cafe, or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact the Reston Community Center at 703-476-4500.
Walker's Club. A leisurely and healthy walk on the scenic pathways of Reston every Tuesday and Thursday morning starting at 9 a.m. Free membership. The 3.5-mile course begins and ends at the Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods. Complimentary coffee provided. Walkers' Club continues through December. For further information, directions, or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact the Reston Community Center at 703-476-4500.
Reston Sketch Group meets Monday nights at Forest Edge Elementary School, Becontree Lane, 7-9 p.m., with a draped model. Call 703-702-8414 or 703-715-2692.
The Girl Scout Council needs volunteers to serve as troop leaders, help with cookie sales, plan special events, translate and conduct training for outdoor and other activities. Call 1-800-523-7898 or visit www.gscnc.org/gscnc/vol.htm.
Dulles Masters Toastmasters meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the AT&T Building in Herndon, from 12-1 p.m. The club is open to everyone. For more information, call 703-444-2655 or e-mail pchefdiana@aol.com.