<lst>Springfield Toastmaster's Club, which has been helping people improve public speaking and leadership skills for 35 years, meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m., at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. For more information, call Helen at 703-560-2187.
The monthly meeting of NARFE Chapter 893 Springfield (National Association of Retired Federal Employees) takes place at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at St. John's United Methodist Church, 5312 Backlick Road in Springfield. A business meeting follows with keynote speaker Dorothy Cassel, known throughout NARFE circles as "Mrs. Spousal Membership." Her topic is "Getting Your Important Papers Together." Open to all. Members are encouraged to invite family, friends, neighbors and co-workers who are former, current or retired Federal employees. For more information call 703-569-5224 or e-mail: NARFE893@aol.com.
Burke area girl scout troops from service unit 52-07 are collecting donations to send girl scout cookies to deployed troops in the Middle East. Contributions can be made at local cookie booths at the Safeway on the corner the Lee Chapel and Old Keene Mill, Petco, Radio Shak and Hollywood Video or by contacting Susan Smith at 703-440-0458.
New Beginnings offers discussion groups and social events for recently separated or divorced men and women. For Northern Virginia activities, call 301-924-4101 or visit www.newbeginningsusa.org.
The League of Women Voters invites Fairfax area residents to help it celebrate Women's History Month by attending one of its March unit meetings, which will focus on a review and discussion of the role of women in history. The League's meetings will take place at 15 locations throughout Fairfax County and Fairfax City, on March 11 to 13, including the Yen Cheng Restaurant at 9992 Main St., in Fairfax on Wednesday, March 12, at 6:15 p.m. The meetings are open to guests, free (dinner excepted), and no registration is required. Call 703-658-9150 or visit the League's Web site at: www.lwv-fairfax.org for more information and other meeting locations.
United Community Ministries (UCM) is looking for donations for the needy. Items can be given through church or community organizations or dropped off at 7511 Fordson Road between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday–Friday. UCM can schedule pickups for donations of food by churches or other organizations. Items that are most needed are spaghetti sauce, pasta, macaroni and cheese, dry cereal, beans, single-serving cereal for homeless care packages, diapers and paper and plastic grocery bags. Also needed are tuna or canned meats, canned fruit, rice, canned soup, sugar, jelly or jam, canned vegetables, peanut butter, individual juice boxes, canned fruit, individual fruit cups, individual applesauce, individual raisin boxes, individual pudding cups, saltine crackers, baby food, formula (Good Start), bath soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine care products, laundry soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and shampoo. Call Tracy Davis at 703-768-7106, Ext. 328.