Send announcements to The Reston 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. Call Lauren Warchol at 703-917-6449.
The Northern Virginia Chapter of the Autism Society of America (ASA-NV) has arranged for the production of license plates that will increase autism awareness. The plates will feature the words "Unlocking Autism" and the chapter will pay the $10 fee for those who apply. Anyone who's interested can find the form at www.dmv.stste.va.us/exec/vehicle/splates/infoindev.asp?id=276 and then click on dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/vsa10.pdf to print it. Fill out and mail the form in an envelope marked 'license plate' to the attention of Jennifer Lassiter, 905 Birch St., NE, Leesburg, VA 20176. Deadline is May 15. For more information contact Jennifer Lassiter at jenlass_28@yahoo.com or ASA-NV at info@asanv.org.
Volunteer opportunities currently exist for Information Desk Volunteers and Mobile Guides at Washington Dulles International Airport. A Travelers Aid Volunteer must have "a friendly, helpful manner and enjoy interacting with people from all over the world." Volunteers are asked to make a commitment to work one 3-4 hour shift per week. Early morning, mid-morning, afternoon and evening shifts are available seven days a week. There is a great need for volunteers who can work early morning, evening or weekend shifts. Experience in airline/airport operations, customer service work or knowledge of a foreign language are a plus but not necessary.
Travelers Aid provides training, themed attire and courtesy parking. Training is ongoing. For more information regarding the program and upcoming training opportunities, contact 703.572.7350 or e-mail Volunteer@mwaa.com.
Join the Reston Association as we take a chartered bus trip to see the Washington Wizards play the LA Lakers. Saturday, Feb. 28, from 2-7 p.m. Fee is $56 for Reston residents; $60 for non-residents. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The bus leaves from the Reston Association. Call 703-435-6530 or e-mail Ashleigh@reston.org for further information and registration.
Reston Community Center (RCC) is holding its annual a Prom Dress Drive collecting lightly-used party dresses, shoes, handbags and jewelry. Dresses of all sizes, styles and colors are welcome. Clothes should be dry-cleaned before donated. If not possible, inform RCC of this when dropping dresses off. Donations are tax-deductible. There is a self-serve drop-off. Bring donations to the Hunters Woods RCC between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The drop-off area is near the pool overlook.
On Saturday, April 24, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., teens who are unable to purchase dresses on their own will be invited to select a dress from donations. Additional dates for the Prom Dress Giveaway are April 25, May 2, and May 16 from 5-7 p.m. at the Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods.
For further information, contact Shauna Cole, teen program director, Reston Community Center at 703-476-4500 (V/TTY), or e-mail scole1@fairfaxcounty.gov.
WAHMfest (the Work at Home Moms Expo) has teamed up with home-based businesses and local merchants to create Help a Spouse Care Baskets. Each basket includes a variety of items, including body wash and body sponge, a scented candle, hand cream, chocolates and other "relaxation" items. The public is encouraged to nominate a military spouse for a care basket by visiting www.wahmfest.org/helpaspouse or by calling 703-926-8576. As funds are raised for each basket, a new name will be randomly drawn and the basket will be sent to the winner.
Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is offering an optional informational session for anyone interested in learning how to help abused and neglected children in the Fairfax County court system. A session will be held Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 7-8:30 p.m. CASA is accepting applications and interviewing potential volunteers for the spring training session set for March 2 at 4103 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200, Fairfax. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Call 703-273-3526. Visit www.casafairfax.org.
Reston Association is sponsoring a trail and open space clean-up program called "Adopt-A-Spot." It is modeled after the federal and state highway adoption program focused on litter pickup. The Association has many sites that have been adopted by groups, families, individuals and local businesses throughout the community. If interested, contact Ha Brock, volunteer coordinator at 703-435-7986 or e-mail habrock@reston.org.
Reston Dogs is seeking volunteers and members to join the organization which oversees the Baron Cameron Off Leash Dog Area. Volunteers assure that pick-up bags and water are supplied, that overlooked waste is picked up, large waste barrels are emptied and that county regulations are enforced. Call 703-400-4460 or visit www.restondogs.org.
Fairfax County General Court Services is seeking volunteers and interns to assist in the Fairfax County General District Court performing administrative tasks. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and successfully pass a criminal background investigation. To request an application, call Lorraine Lottahall, volunteer/intern coordinator, for an application at 703-246-4760 or e-mail lorraine.lottahall@fairfaxcounty.
ReSource Therapy Associates, Inc. sponsors a Pet Loss Support Group for people experiencing grief after the loss of an animal. Sessions will be held every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. at ReSource Therapy Associates, Inc., 11864 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 101, Reston.
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking volunteers for nursing homes or assisted living facilities in their community which they visit weekly. Listening, observing and mediating, the ombudsman works with the residents, their families and the facility staff to ensure that residents' rights are protected. Applicants must successfully complete training and must be available to volunteer four hours per week during regular business hours. Anyone interested who is not employed by a long-term care facility and can commit one year to working as an Ombudsman should call 703-324-5435. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ombudsman.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training is recruiting volunteers to train for marathons and races in support of local cancer patients. For more information, call 703-960-1100 or visit www.teamintraining.org.
Inova Blood Donor Services conducts community blood drives on a regular basis. Donating takes about one hour. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health for three days prior to donating. Call Inova Blood Donor Services at 703-208-7000.
The NOVA Career Development Network invites those seeking jobs or career transitions to participate in a weekly networking and job support group. The group meets Tuesday mornings from 10:45 a.m.-noon at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, 1625 Wiehle Ave. Call Roy Seabolt at 571-263-1430 or e-mail rseabolt@cox.net for more information. Visit www.communitylink.allnva.com/groups/novacdn.
Three Wishes Program makes power wheelchairs available to senior citizens (65 years and up) and the permanently disabled with no cost to the recipient if they qualify. The power wheelchairs are provided to those who cannot walk and cannot self-propel a manual wheelchair in their home, and who meet the additional guidelines of the program. No deposit is required. Call 800-451-0971 for more information.
Individuals age 50 and above looking for permanent employment are encouraged to call Senior Employment Resources at 703-750-1936, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., for an interview.
The Northern Virginia Family Service needs 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 e-mail smcallister@nvfs.org.
The Naomi Project needs volunteers to serve as mentors for high risk pregnant women. The women are referred from the Fairfax Hospital, Health Department, Human Services and private physicians. Volunteers give about one hour per week, determined by the client's needs and volunteer's availability. There is a special need for Spanish-speaking volunteers. Call 703-860-2633 or visit naomiproject.homestead.com.