<sh>Wal-Mart Helps Collect Toys for Needy Families
<bt>Wal-Mart in the Fair Lakes Shopping Center is helping Our Neighbor's Child — a nonprofit group that provides new toys and clothing to needy families in the Centreville, Chantilly and Clifton area. On Saturday, Dec. 4, customers may purchase toys for children whose names are on the giving tree inside the store.
Then they can take these gifts outside and drop them into the boxes that Boy and Girl Scouts will be manning that day at Wal-Mart's entrance, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For other ways to help Our Neighbor's Child, e-mail KMLAVIN@aol.com.
<sh>Fair Oaks Sobriety Checkpoint
<bt>Fairfax County police officers from the Fair Oaks District Station conducted a sobriety checkpoint from Saturday, Nov. 20, at 11:30 p.m. until Sunday, Nov. 21, at 2:30 a.m. All motorists were stopped, and drivers were checked to assure that their abilities to drive had not been impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Approximately 450 cars passed through the checkpoint conducted on the north and southbound lanes at Centreville Road and Renoir Terrace. No motorists were arrested for driving while intoxicated. However, four motorists were issued summonses — two for driving without a license and two for having expired license plates.
<sh>Town of Clifton Tags
<bt>Nov. 1 was the deadline for all Town of Clifton residents to renew their Clifton tags. Town residents display small, white license tags that attach to their regular, front license plates, instead of having Fairfax County stickers on their windshields. Anyone with questions may e-mail townofclifton@aol.com or call 703-830-2129.
<sh>Salvation Army Needs Help
<bt>Last year, the Salvation Army in Fairfax helped more than 600 families at Thanksgiving and provided more than 900 families with clothing and toys at Christmas. And it's in need of volunteers to lend a hand, this year. Bell-ringers at kettles are needed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., from now through Christmas Eve, and may pick the days and times most convenient for them. For more information and/or to volunteer, call 703-385-8700, ext. 11.
From Dec. 1-18, except for Sundays, the Salvation Army also needs people from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to help receive, sort and box food and gifts in preparation for Christmas distribution. In addition, from Dec. 20-22, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., volunteers over age 18 are needed to assist with the actual distributing. Call Judy at 703-385-8700, ext. 23.
<sh>Blood Donations are Sought
<bt>The Inova Blood Donor Center in the Centremed I Building on Route 29 in Centreville (across from the Centreville Multiplex Cinemas) is in urgent need of blood donations — especially O positive or negative, as well as A and B. They're accepted Tuesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For an appointment to give blood, call 703-322-1970, or drop in at your own convenience.
<sh>Correction
<cl>Last week's photo spread on the Durga Temple's Diwali celebration, Festival of Lights, mistakenly mixed Ramadhan into the celebration. Diwali, an Indian Festival of Lights, is celebrated by Hindus and lasts for about four days. Diwali commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi and concludes on Kartika Shudda Vijiya.
Diwali is celebrated by worshipping the god, decorating homes and distributing sweets among families and friends. Ramadhan is an Islamic festival in a different religion that has nothing to do with Diwali. Typically, the last day of Ramadan and Diwali come on the same day (as both are celebrated per lunar calendar). Centre View regrets the error.