Learn about Addiction
The Sully District Police Station's Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) will meet Wednesday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m.in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
Does someone in your life struggle with addiction? Wonder how it begins? Attend this meeting to learn about the power of addiction and how one local woman turned her life around. This is an opportunity to speak with someone who fought heroin addiction at a young age and won. Learn about Nora’s story and how those in her life impacted her recovery. Experts will be on hand to answer questions and address current trends. The public is encouraged to bring loved ones, friends and family who may benefit from hearing her story.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, April 13, 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.
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.
Prepare for Emergencies
The GFWC Western Fairfax County Woman’s Club (WFCWC) will host a presentation on “Emergency Preparedness” on Monday, April 17, at 7 p.m. Guest speaker Grelia Steele is the new community outreach manager for the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management. She will discuss personal preparedness and provide an overview on family preparedness and emergency preparedness resources to help people become ready for unforeseen disasters.
Steele is an emergency management professional with six years of experience in two Northern Virginia jurisdictions and international experience. She holds two Bachelor Degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University in Homeland Security and Emergency Management and in Political Science. She also holds numerous local, state, and federal certifications in public safety.
WFCWC usually meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of the month, September through May, at the Cale Community Center, 4615 Stringfellow Road. Guests are welcome and admission is free. For more information about WFCWC, see www.wfcwc.org or call Mary Jane Hasselkus at 703-378-4250.
Centreville International Showcase
The Centreville Immigration Forum is hosting the 7th Annual Centreville International Showcase on Saturday, April 22, from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Korean Central Presbyterian Church, 15451 Lee Highway, Centreville.
The free event offers international entertainment and food from local restaurants.
The Centreville Immigration Forum is a community volunteer group focused on immigration and diversity in the Centreville area, with goals to implement sustainable programs that: provide immigrants in need with the means to improve their lives and become more integrated into the community; improve communication and cooperation among all groups serving immigrants; and build community recognition of our strength in diversity.
See www.centrevilleinternationalshowcase.org.
Learn about Emergency Response
The next available Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Class is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 24 at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy. There are two sessions each week on Mondays and Wednesdays that run until May 17. The class is 28 hours in length, plus the final practical exercise.
The training prepares residents to help themselves, their families and neighbors in the event of a disaster in their community. Through CERT, residents can learn about disaster preparedness and receive training in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations.
CERT training is free of charge and basic gear is provided. The minimum requirements to participate in CERT training at any level is that residents be 16 years of age or older, and either be a Fairfax County resident, or work in the county.
Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/cert/cert.htm.
Several Volunteers Needed
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries at 4511 Daly Dr. Suite J, Chantilly seeks individuals to volunteer for the following:
Volunteer(s) to clean office and bathroom, Tuesday or Thursday, either 8:30-9:30 a.m. or 2:30-4 a.m.
Volunteer(s) to answer phones and schedule appointments, Tuesday and Thursday, 2 - 4:30 p.m. Requirements: good phone skills, personable, able to conduct pantry tours. Interview and completed application required.
Volunteer(s) for Client Services Intake, Monday and Friday, 9:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Requirements: Spanish speaker preferred, ability to work with clients, able to conduct pantry tours. Interview and completed application required.
Volunteer for Food Pantry, bagging clients' food choices, Thursday, 10:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. Requirements: must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift at least 25 pounds. Interview and completed application required.
See http://wfcmva.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer-program/
Food Donations for WFCM
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry needs donations of 1-2 pound bags of rice; fruit juice; jelly; red, white or black beans (can or bagged); canned vegetables (no green beans of corn needed); macaroni and cheese; can pasta; pasta sauce; and pasta (spaghetti, rotini, elbow, etc.).
Toiletries needed, which WFCM clients cannot purchase with food stamps, include diapers, toothpaste, shampoo and solid deodorant.
Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry’s new location at 4511 Daly Dr. Suite J, Chantilly from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
Contact Terri Kelly at tkelly@wfcmva.org if willing to coordinate a food drive.
Volunteer Drivers Are Needed
Fairfax County needs volunteers to drive older adults to medical appointments and wellness programs. For these and other volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406 or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on Volunteer Solutions.
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.
Long-Term Care Advocates
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteer advocates for residents in assisted living and nursing facilities. Training is provided in September. Call 703-324-5861, TTY 711 or email Lisa.Callahan@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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.
Drive Seniors to Appointments
Fairfax County needs volunteers to drive older adults to medical appointments and wellness programs. Call 703-324-5406, TTY 711, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and link to Volunteer Solutions or email VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov.