A Volunteer Appreciation Reception for Loudoun Caregivers will be held Tuesday, Dec. 16 at Tally-Ho Theatre, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg, from 6:30-9 p.m. Hosted by the Virginia State AARP for the over 200 volunteers with Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers, "A Faith in Action Program," the evening will include a special welcome, a showing of a vintage movie and refreshments.
"Christmas in the Loudoun Valleys: Guide to Christmas Tree Farms and Holiday Floral Products" is available at the Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association (LCVA) in Leesburg. The brochure identifies area locations for farm-fresh, locally grown, choose-and-cut Christmas trees and floral products. A request for a brochure may also be submitted by e-mail to ahiggins@loudoun.gov or call the Department of Economic Development at 703-777-0426 or 1-800-loudoun. Visit www.rural-loudoun.state.va.us to download from the Web.
LCVA has also released its 2003/2004 Holiday & Winter Seasonal Guide outlining many holiday events and activities for the holiday season. Visit the Visitors Center at 222 Catoctin Circle, S.E., Suite 100, Leesburg, or www.visitloudoun.org.
The Loudoun County Chapter of Zonta International will sell the official 2003 White House Christmas ornament in Leesburg. The group will be at South King Street Safeway on Dec. 14 and 20, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All proceeds directly benefit Zonta’s service efforts, including Loudoun County's Transitional Housing. The $19 gift-boxed brass ornament honors President Ulysses S. Grant, depicting a small boy atop a movable rocking horse. Orders may also be placed by contacting Karen Teague Peko at ktpeko@hotmail.com, or by calling 703-450-4625. Zonta International is an organization of female executives working together to advance the status of women.
Area businesses designated as drop off sites for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots holiday campaign include Sonak Family Chiropractic at 46859 Harry Byrd Highway in Sterling. On Monday, Dec. 15, Sonak will celebrate with a Toys for Tots Day, from 3-7 p.m. Attendees can take advantage of free health screenings and information. New unwrapped toys will be collected until Dec. 17. Call for more information at 703-406-0200.
Ambassador Worldwide Moving, 44664 Guildford Drive, Ashburn, is also a drop off site. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off for disadvantaged children in the Washington, D.C. area. Toys will be delivered Christmas Eve. For additional information, contact Interstate Worldwide Relocation at 703-569-2121.
Serving all of Northern Virginia, the English as a Second Language (ESL) and Immigrant Ministries program provides English classes in 21 locations including Loudoun County. There is a $15 processing charge due at registration. Scholarships are available for those unable to pay. Free babysitting is also available at some locations. Registration dates and class times will vary according to location. For more information in English, Spanish, Korean or Vietnamese, call 703-841-0292 or visit www.eslim.org.
Persons interested in helping immigrants improve their quality of life should call 703-271-8341.
The Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Facility accepts and processes used appliances (i.e. refrigerators, stoves, dehumidifiers); tree limbs/branches, bags of grass/lawn clippings; propane cylinders; tires; furniture; and scrap metal (i.e. sheet metal roofing, drained lawn mowers, bicycles, even steel security safes). The landfill is located at 20939 Evergreen Mills Road and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. There is a disposal fee of $55 per ton or roughly 55 cents per 20 pounds.
The landfill has a recycling center where residents can recycle used motor oil, antifreeze, automobile batteries, white office paper, commingled containers, newsprint and cardboard.
Residents may also pick up free mulch at the facility. The mulch is from shredding tree limbs, branches and stumps only; no lumber is mixed into the mulch. Residents have to load their own, so bring a shovel or pitch fork.
For more information, visit www.loudoun.gov/oswm.
Volunteers are needed to deliver home-delivered meals and to assist in the Cafe at the Loudoun County Senior Center, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Anyone interested in volunteering for a couple of hours one day a week or once or twice a month, contact Beth Mills at 703-430-2397.
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum is seeking interested teens and adults to volunteer by becoming a tour guide. Training is provided. Hours are flexible. The farm is located at Claude Moore Park in Sterling. Call Janis Golden at 703-421-5322.
Loudoun County teens can visit www.loudounteens.org to learn how to get involved in their community and where to go to find information about jobs and other programs and services available to teenagers. Local teen Jon Hughes designed the site with input from teens that serve on the Loudoun County Advisory Commission On Youth (ACOY). For more information, contact the Loudoun County Office on Youth, at 703-777-0358.
The Loudoun Arts Council Web Site offers a page of "Artist Opportunities" designed to inform area artists about programs and events for their participation. Visit the site at www.loudounarts.org.
The Northern Virginia Family Service seeks foster families for abused and neglected children. African-American families are particularly needed. Help is needed in both full-time and short-term programs. Training, support and financial compensation will be provided. For more information about the Northern Virginia Family Service call 703-533-9727 or smcallister@nvfs.org.
VSA arts of Loudoun County has opened the DaVinci Open Studio Visual Arts Project for individuals with disabilities. The studio, housed in the Round Hill Arts Center, will provide instruction and art supplies. The goal is to offer participants the support they need to express themselves through art. For additional information, contact Hope Hanes at 540-338-5050 or Pam Oliver at 540-338-3353.
Sterling Singles provides a non-dating, social organization with a membership that plans and attends a vast array of activities and functions such as dinner, dancing, bowling, concerts, camping, barbecues and Wolf Trap. Group is for singles over 21. Write to P.O. Box 42, Sterling, VA 20167. Call 703-444-5534, e-mail sterlingsingles@sterlingsingles.org or visit www.sterlingsingles.org.
Volunteers are needed to teach life skills to inmates through Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources of Fairfax County, Inc. (OAR) at the Loudoun County Work Release Center on Monday evenings. Interested individuals need not be a teacher to apply. Call Fran Furman, volunteer coordinator, at 703-246-3055.
Loudoun County's Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is seeking volunteers to join its program. RSVP provides a wide range of opportunities for individuals, age 55 and over, to utilize their experience and skills in the community.
The benefits provided for a RSVP volunteer include insurance coverage for accidental, personal liability, and excess automobile liability; quarterly newsletters providing information, news, and new volunteer opportunities; invitations to special events, and special recognition for volunteerism.
To request an information packet and enrollment form, contact the RSVP office at 703-777-0505.