<lst>Send announcements to the Herndon Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, send an e-mail to herndon@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday 5 p.m. for the following week's paper. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call Meghan Williams at 703-917-6437 with questions. This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
Volunteer Fairfax is preparing for “A Celebration of Giving and Sharing,” an annual program providing backpacks filled with books and toys to students in Fairfax County. The organization will lead the celebration on Dec. 2, providing joy and excitement to 2,000 local children in grades pre-kindergarten through second at seven elementary schools.
The annual celebration relies on hundreds of individuals and corporate supporters to sponsor a child, $25, or a classroom, $1,500. Donations can be given in honor of a loved one, and honorees will receive a special card notifying them of the gift. For more information on sponsorship contact Tonya McCreary at 703-246-3460 or tmccreary@volunteerfairfax.org, or visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.
Reston Interfaith seeks volunteers to staff the winter coat closet through the month of February. Volunteers make an on-going commitment to assist clients in selecting coats, greet donors and sort out coat donations. Contact Susan Stolpe at 571-323-9569, or volunteer@restoninterfaith.org.
Volunteer Tutors Needed: Volunteers are needed for day and evening hours to work one-to-one with adult learners in public libraries or adult learning centers. Additional opportunities are available working with adolescents in alternative school settings. The Volunteer Learning Program trains tutors, assesses learners and provides materials with follow-up support. VLP is a joint community project of the Fairfax County Public Schools (Adult & Community Education), Fairfax County's Juvenile Court and the Fairfax County Public Library. Call 703-246-2139 or e-mail VLP@fcps.edu.
Fairfax County's Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers. Meals on Wheels needs drivers to deliver meals to house-bound elderly in areas including Herndon and Reston. Both regular and substitute drivers are being sought. Drivers can volunteer on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. Meals are picked up from a designated site in the community between 10:30-11 a.m. It takes about two hours to complete a delivery route. To volunteer, call the Meals on Wheels Volunteer Intake Hotline at 703-324-5406, TTY 703-449-1186, or send an e-mail to beverly.mullis@fairfaxcounty.gov. For reasonable ADA accommodations, contact Pam Graff at 703-324-5410, TTY 703-449-1186. Additional information and volunteer job descriptions can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/aaa.
The Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry is looking for adults interested in mentoring a child through the agency's PALS Mentoring Program. Volunteers make a one-year commitment to a child and visit with their "Pal" twice a month. PALS mentors are needed throughout Northern Virginia for minority children ranging in age from 6 to 15 years old. Training and ongoing support is provided by NOVAM, and an agency funded background check is required. Contact Briana Jordan at 703-746-0440, Ext. 15.
World Heritage is a non-profit organization seeking families, couples or single parents who are interested in hosting a high-school-aged foreign-exchange student. Call Judith at 800-888-9040 or visit www.world-heritage.org.
Odyssey Healthcare, a hospice provider, is seeking volunteers in the Northern Virginia community to visit and/or assist terminally ill patients and their families for one to two hours per week. Training will be provided. Call Karen Baroody at 703-821-9200 or e-mail kabaroody@odsyhealth.com.
The Bargain Loft is a local thrift store located at 336 Victory Drive in Herndon. It is run by an all volunteer staff, and is clean and air conditioned. All the money made by the Bargain Loft goes to help Herndon/Reston FISH, which helps people with emergency needs such as money for rent, utilities or medicines.
Bargain Loft is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There are two shifts, mornings from 10 a.m.-noon and afternoons from noon-2 p.m. The Loft particularly needs people on Saturdays and can always use teenagers who want to acquire some Community Service time. Call Mr. Stringer at 703-437 0600.