Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail <a href="mailto:loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com">loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call 703-917-6454.
The county will hold an orientation session, Monday, Nov. 10, 1 p.m., at the Carver Center in Purcellville, for those interested in participating in the Ms. Senior Loudoun County pageant. The pageant, to be held in January, is open to women who will be at least 60 years old by Jan. 24, 2009 and are Loudoun County residents. Contact Carolyn Bledsoe, 571-437-4543.
The nation will celebrate the 11th annual America Recycles Day, Saturday, Nov. 15. The goal is to increase consumer demand for recycled products and to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling. Residents can make a difference by recycling correctly and keeping recyclables in the loop and out of the trash. Visit www.nrc-recycle.org/takethepledge.aspx.
The Loudoun County Holiday Coalition's "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" program is seeking donations. The program provides a food basket in November and gifts, clothing and if resources permit, a food gift card in December for the disabled, the elderly and families who are financially eligible. Of critical need are food store gift cards in $10 increments and cash contributions. New clothing is always needed for people of all ages, as are personal care and household care items and new toys.
Contributions can be made to the County of Loudoun and sent to the Holiday Coalition at 102 Heritage Way, N.E., Suite 103, Leesburg, VA 20176. Donations can be dropped off at various collection sites across the county. Information about how to donate, where to drop off collections, how to volunteer or apply for assistance is available on the county Web site at www.loudoun.gov/holidaycoalition. To volunteer, e-mail to holidayvolunteers@loudoun.gov. Questions about the program may be directed to Kara Earl at the Holiday Hotline, 703-737-8367.
The Loudoun County Virginia Cooperative Extension Office is helping Virginians manage money wisely. Family and personal finance questions may be directed to the office at 703-777-0373 or 30-B Catoctin Circle, S.E. Leesburg. Resources available at www.ext.vt.edu/news/mediakit-personalfinance.html.
A memorial fund to benefit participants in The Family Connections Program has been created by family and friends of Sandra Ward, who died of pancreatic cancer. The Family Connections Program is a project of the Department of Family Services and is an intensive and interactive seven-week program for parents and teens that employs a variety of therapeutic interventions to restore parental authority.
The fund is being held by the Piedmont Community Foundation and will provide five scholarships per year to eligible families. To donate, send a check to Piedmont Community Foundation noting "Sandra Ward Fund" in the memo line. Donations can be mailed to The Piedmont Community Foundation, P. O. Box 402, Middleburg, VA 20188. For more information, call Karen Krei, executive director of the Piedmont Community Foundation at 540-687-5223 or visit www.piedmontcf.org.