Help Improve School Safety
The Citizens Advisory Committee of the Sully District Police Station will host a program called “School Safety Starts With You.” It’s set for Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m., at the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
Parents curious about the measures and steps in place to protect their children at school are urged to attend and learn how safe their children are and what their role is in keeping them safe. Residents are encouraged to bring their comments, questions and concerns.
Said Capt. Ed O’Carroll, the station commander, “We want to further our commitment to school safety by educating parents about security awareness, as well as how they can assist us in keeping public and private schools safe.”
School safety experts from the FCPS Office of School Safety and Security, and the Fairfax County Police Department’s School Resource Officer (SRO) program, will be on hand to present information and answer questions. For more information, call Sully Station Crime Prevention Officer Tara Freucht at 703-814-7018.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Feb. 14, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.
However, because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.
Food Donations for WFCM
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ (WFCM) food pantry urgently needs donations of spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, rice (2-lb. bags), canned pasta, peanut butter, canned tuna and meat, hot and cold cereal, fruit juice, and pancake mix and syrup.
Bring all items to WFCM’S new food-pantry location at 13888 Metrotech Drive, near Papa John’s Pizza and Kumon Learning Center, in Chantilly’s Sully Place shopping center.
The WFCM thrift store is slated to reopen Saturday, Feb. 16, at 13939 Metrotech Drive, near the Lotte Market, also in Sully Place. Store hours will remain the same –Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. But starting Tuesday, Feb. 19, donation hours for clothing, household goods and furniture will be Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Citizens Fire and Rescue Academy
Area residents wanting to learn more about the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department may now have the chance. They may participate in a nine-week program showing them what firefighters and paramedics do every day.
Applications to the first-ever Citizens Fire and Rescue Academy will be accepted until Feb. 18 or until the class of 25 is filled. The free program is open to those at least 18 years old. The academy will begin March 28, 2013, meeting for nine consecutive weeks, from 6-9 p.m., at various locations.
Each session will cover different aspects of the organization, providing an in-depth overview of it and its uniformed and civilian workforce. Program topics include fire suppression, emergency medical services, training, recruitment and special operations. Apply at www.fairfaxcounty.gov./fr/cfa.
Meals on Wheels Volunteers
Fairfax County needs Meals on Wheels drivers in Chantilly and group Meals on Wheels coordinators in both Chantilly and Fairfax. Contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 711, VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm.
Give Caregivers a Break
Fairfax County needs Respite Care volunteers throughout the county to give family caregivers of a frail older adult a well-deserved break. Volunteers visit and oversee the safety of the older adult for a few hours each month. Volunteers are matched with families in or near their own neighborhoods. Support and training is provided. Contact Kristin Martin at 703-324-7577, TTY 711, or Kristin.Martin@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Women's Self Defense Program
The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation is partnering with the Fairfax County Police Department to offer the Women's Self Defense Training program. It’s based on the SAFE program formerly provided by the Police Department, but now being taught by C&J Security Corp.
The program is a two-day class that will meet on consecutive Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15-9:30 p.m. It’s currently offered free and all class materials are included. Program funding is provided through the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation.
The course is offered to females, age 13 and older. A female guardian must accompany girls 13-18. No men other than the instructors are permitted to be present during a class. For more information, call 703-246-7806, e-mail WSD@fairfaxfoundation.org or go to www.fairfaxfoundation.org.