Send announcements to the Herndon Connection, by mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, by e-mail to herndon@connectionnewspapers.com or by fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday 5 p.m. for the following week’s paper. Call Meghan Williams at 703-917-6449 with questions.
NAMI-Northern Virginia meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27 to hear Virginia’s Inspector General for Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, James Stewart, review his Office’s recent surveys of statewide services for case management and co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse. First Christian Church, 6165 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Free. Call 703-525-0686.
Peer support group for survivors of clergy abuse and others affected by the abuse, on the last Wednesday of every month. The next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., in the downstairs meeting room at the Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Road, McLean. Meetings are sponsored by Voice of the Faithful-Northern Virginia affiliate. Contact Ellen Radday at 703-538-6128.
Sunday, Dec. 3 will be the Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia, LLC monthly support group meeting, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Physicians’ Conference Center, Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Fairfax. Socializing begins 1:30. The annual holiday festivities program features Bonnie LaMay, area director of external business development, Sunrise Senior Living, discussing Levels of assisted living, Alzheimer’s care, medical concerns, much more; Q&A; materials available. No charge. An ostomy nurse will be available for help and advice. Open to anyone interested. Park in Blue garage. Call 703-802-3457 or visit www.ostomysupportofnova.org.
The Epilepsy Foundation sponsors support groups and classes for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders, caregivers, and parents of children of all ages with seizure disorders. Free of charge. For information, call Dana at 703-425-6660 or visit www.abilitiesnetwork.org. Reston Epilepsy Group meets the 1st Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at North County Government Center, Huntermill District Supervisors Office, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive. Next meeting Dec. 5.
The National Capital Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers free self-help groups in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. for people living with MS. Contact the chapter at 202-296-9891.
Asthma Auto Program. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Maryland-Greater Washington, D.C., Chapter, is accepting donations of unwanted vehicles to raise money to fund educational programs, asthma-care training, scholarships, research, and patient assistance for area residents. Call 800-727-9333.
Suicide Survivors. CrisisLink, a suicide prevention organization and hotline located at 5275 Lee Highway, Suite 301, Arlington, sponsors a healing and educational Suicide Survivors’ Support Group, meeting the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, 7:30-9 p.m. Call 703-516-6771.
Inova VNA Home Health. Volunteers are needed to act as friendly visitors providing companionship to lonely, homebound patients. Volunteers are asked to spend one or two hours per week talking with a patient, running errands and doing odd jobs. Visiting can be done during the day, in the evening or on the weekends as the volunteer’s schedule allows. Training will be provided and placements are made based on geographic location. Office volunteers are also needed in the VNA’s Springfield office. Contact Marion Hart or Adele Jenney at 703-916-2885.
Express Care. A non-profit organization dedicated to providing services including scheduling doctor’s appointments and securing medicines, groceries for the homebound, health screenings and education through the “Care Connection” television program. The organization also works in assisting immigrants to understand the cultural practices and skills necessary to succeed in American society. Donations and volunteers are needed. Call 703-456-0020, e-mail naila@expresscare.org or visit www.expresscare.org.
Lupus Support Group meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month, at 6:30 p.m., at Reston Hospital Medical Plaza, Suite 117, 1800 Town Center Drive, Reston. Call 703-689-9240.
Bereavement Support Groups. Three groups, sponsored by Haven of Northern Virginia, meet at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne. The General Bereavement Group meets the first and third Wednesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m. The Suicide Survivors Group meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m. The Widow/Widower Support Group meets the first and third Thursday of every month, 2-3:30 p.m. and the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m. Call 703-941-7000.
TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit weight loss support group, meets every Tuesday at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 432 Van Buren St., Herndon. Weigh-ins begin at 6 p.m., with meetings at 6:30. Contact Bobbie Cippel at 703-476-4062 or visit www.TOPS.org.