Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
The Loudoun County Fire-Rescue system and the Loudoun Career Firefighters' Association is participating in the 59th Annual Toys for Tots Campaign, which is sponsored by the U.S. Marines.
From Nov. 18-Dec. 24, fire-rescue stations will be collecting new, unwrapped toys; they will not accept any toys that resemble weapons or could be used as a weapon (e.g., toy guns, knives, etc.). The toys collected will be distributed to local children of all ages.
Contact Loudoun County Fire-Rescue's Toys for Tots coordinator, Technician Nicole Hankin at 703-430-7010 or the Toys for Tots campaign at www.toysfortots.org.
Tickets for the 19th Annual Chocolates Galore & More fund-raiser for the YMCA Loudoun County go on sale Dec. 1. Tickets are $50 in advance; $55 at the door. The event takes place Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, at Lansdowne Resort. Includes desserts and hors d'oeuvres, silent and live auctions and live music. Call 703-777-YMCA.
Santa will ride through Ashburn on a fire truck, Dec. 9, from 6-9 p.m. Any group or organization that is interested in participating in the parade, contact Dan Davidson at 703-729-0006.
Loudoun County Animal Care & Control is joining the Community Holiday Coalition by holding a Pet Pantry to provide donated pet food and supplies to families in need during the holiday season.
Families who are picking up food, clothes and toys at the Holiday Coalition Store will also be able to visit the Pet Pantry for pet food and supplies. The Pet Pantry is stocked solely through donations from citizens and businesses. The Animal Shelter is accepting donations of unopened pet food, treats, and new or gently used toys through Dec. 18. Cat food is in especially high demand.
The Community Holiday Coalition's Christmas Store is Dec. 14-19, at the Dulles Trade Center in Sterling. Visit http://www.loudoun.gov/dss/holiday or contact Animal Care & Control at 703-777-0406 or via e-mail at animals@loudoun.gov.
The Christmas in the Loudoun Valleys brochure provides information where residents can go to cut their Christmas tree. The brochure also features holiday floral products such as wreaths, roping, poinsettias and other products grown and produced on Loudoun farms.
The guide is available at the Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association in Leesburg and all Loudoun County libraries. To have a brochure mailed, e-mail ahiggins@loudoun.gov or call the Department of Economic Development at 703-777-0426. For further information, visit www.LoudounFarms.org.
First Night Leesburg, a family-focused celebration of the arts held in downtown historic Leesburg on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, is sponsored by the Bluemont Concert Series in cooperation with the Town of Leesburg, the County of Loudoun and a host of Loudoun business and civic organizations.
The entertainment committee is seeking artists, performers and performing groups who would like to be considered to be part of First Night Leesburg, especially artists and performers from Loudoun County and particularly from local schools.
Contact Entertainment Committee, First Night Leesburg, P.O. Box 203, Leesburg, VA 20178, call 703-777-6306 or e-mail info@bluemont.org.
The Sterling Lions Club of Sterling are seeking applicants for its annual James Bland Music Scholarship Competition. Applications available at Melodee Music in Sterling or by request from the club by calling 703-723-0077, writing Sterling Lions Club, P.O. Box 45, Sterling, VA 20167-0045 or e-mailing sterlinglions@adelphia.net. Packet includes rules and application, which is due Jan. 4.
Open to residents of Virginia who attend elementary through high school or are being home schooled at those levels. For more information visit www.valions.org/sterling/bland.html.
The 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization Youth Music Preservation and Promotion Association is getting ready for the upcoming launch of a music outreach program in the city of Leesburg. The Society Youth Orchestra (SYO) will begin offering free music instruction through orchestra to underprivileged and at-risk children and youth, starting January.
Loudoun Volunteer Services (LVS) is seeking nominations for outstanding student volunteers, to be recognized as Student Volunteer of the Month.
The qualifying student, or group of students, must be enrolled in Loudoun County public, private or home-school grades kindergarten through 12th. Nominees must demonstrate contributions to the Loudoun County community through exceptional volunteer service.
Students who are selected as Student Volunteer of the Month will receive recognition through their school, the media and Loudoun Volunteer Services' Web site and will receive a $100 donation to a local nonprofit of the student's choice. Recognition is given monthly, during the school year, September through June.
For a written description of the nomination process and criteria, contact Lisa Rose, volunteer coordinator, at 703-777-0113 or visit www.loudoun.gov/pio/volunteer.htm.
The grassroots nonprofit organization, Operation Pinecone, based in South Riding, strives to support the service members and their families by sending care packages abroad and delivering comfort items and providing support in various ways to service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. There are collection boxes for donations for this cause throughout Loudoun County. Visit Operation Pinecone, www.operationpinecone.org.
The Loudoun School Community Coalitions sponsor the “Parents Who Host Lose the Most” campaign to reduce underage drinking and is asking parents to take a survey by visiting www.loudoun.k12.va.us, and click on the “for Parents” button, then “Coalitions,” then the George Mason University survey button. It takes about three minutes, then hit the submit button.
Sponsored by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Loudoun Volunteer Services (LVS) has teamed with the White House to become a certifying organization for the "President's Volunteer Service Awards," a national program recognizing Americans who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service. Issuing the award is the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Sens. Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs and composed of leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofit and volunteer service organizations and community volunteering. As one of the certifying organizations, LVS hopes to encourage and strengthen youth volunteerism in Loudoun County. Students in grades kindergaren-12th can visit their school's guidance office for a Student Volunteer Hours form, or go to www.loudoun.gov/pio/volunteer.htm.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, is collecting unused eyeglasses to be recycled foe people who cannot afford to purchase eyeglasses. Call 703-430-2397.
The Loudoun Youth Advisory Council is recruiting youth representatives in grades ninth-12th, for the 2006-2007 school year. The Loudoun Youth Advisory Council is a consortium of youth representatives from Loudoun County's public, private, parochial and home schools who promote leadership and advocate for youth issues to community leaders and the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.
Council meetings are held the second Monday of each month in the Board of Supervisors meeting room of the Loudoun County Government Center, located at 1 Harrison St., S.E., Leesburg.
The application can be found on the Loudoun Youth Initiative Web site at www.loudounteens.org. For more information about the Youth Advisory Council or the Loudoun Youth Initiative, contact Angela Johnson, Loudoun Youth Initiative at 571-258-3135 or by e-mail at ajohnso1@loudoun.gov.
The Loudoun County Disability Services Board (DSB) is looking for members. Those who are interested in serving on the board will be provided with a member job description and application. Duties listed on the job description include attendance at board and committee meetings, active participation in the compilation and development of the DSB Needs Assessment every three years and participation in public relations and advocacy activities. Contact Flor Gibson at 703-737-8755.
The Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association (LCVA) announces the publication of its new visitor brochure, “Towns & Villages of Loudoun County, Virginia.” This 50-page guide offers visitors a cultural overview of Loudoun’s seven incorporated towns and several villages. It also introduces them to the people, places and stories that make them unique.
To obtain a free copy, visit the Loudoun County Visitors Center, 222 Catoctin Circle, S.E., Suite 100, Leesburg or request one online at www.VisitLoudoun.org.