<lst>The Jewish Social Service Agency of Metropolitan Washington is seeking part-time drivers to transport frail elders and individuals with disabilities to and from medical appointments in Northern Virginia. Drivers will be provided with a car and paid an hourly rate. For more information, contact Diane Hays-Earp at JSSA, 301-816-2689.
Ann Hickenbotham, a senior Girl Scout from Kings Park West, is beginning to work on her Gold Award for scouting. The Gold Award is similar to the Eagle Scout award for Boy Scouting. As a former member of the Ridge Ropers jump-rope team from Laurel Ridge Elementary School, Ann's project will continue the Ridge Ropers' traditions of performing at local nursing homes for the elderly patients. Ann will coordinate several jump-rope performances for her project with the help of old members from the Ridge Ropers and new volunteers from Kings Park West. Ann is looking for elementary and middle school students who are interested in learning to jump-rope. No experience at all is required. There will be approximately five practices in September and October, which will be followed by 3-4 performances in November and December. For more information, call Ann Hickenbotham at 703-764-9380.
United Community Ministries hosts a Mini Golf Classic fund-raiser on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Kingstowne Mid-Atlantic Golf Center, Van Dorn Street. Volunteers are needed to help set up on that date and to help out in various ways during the event. To help, contact Tracy Davis at 703-768-7106, ext. 328.
The Knights of Columbus is having a dinner to benefit UCM on Saturday, Nov, 8, 5:30-10:30 p,m. Food servers are needed for this event. Interested persons should call Tracy Davis at 703-768-7106, ext. 328.
Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO) is selling the 2004 coupon book. Entertainment books cost $35, and $7 of that amount goes directly to ECHO. The books include 50 percent off and two-for-one offers on hundreds of dining, hotel, recreation, shopping and other expenses, including savings on airline tickets, rental cars and much more. The book is available for more than 160 cities coast-to-coast. Entertainment book sales will raise money to buy food and winter coats for persons and families in need in the Springfield and Burke communities, and to assist them in paying bills for essential needs, especially housing, utilities and medical problems. Books are available now and may be used immediately and through Nov. 1. Books can be picked up at ECHO at 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, whenever ECHO is open for business. Phone 703-569-9160 or 703-451-7955 for hours or for more information.
The Naomi Project fall training. Volunteers are needed in to serve as mentors for high-risk pregnant women. The women are referred to the program from Fairfax Hospital, the Health Department, Human Services and private physicians. Volunteers give approximately one hour per week. The schedule is determined by the clients' needs and the volunteers' availability. Training begins Sept. 18. Contact Peggy Ferguson, program coordinator, or Pilar Jones, director of training, at 703-860-2633. There is a special need for Spanish-speaking volunteers. Visit naomiproject.homestead.com.
Glory Days Grill of Northern Virginia will be hosting Give-Back Days for FACETS, a nonprofit organization celebrating 15 years of assisting homeless and low-income children and adults in Fairfax County, for a three-month period. Every Monday through Thursday until Nov. 3, 4 p.m. until closing, Glory Days Grill will donate 10 percent of the proceeds for every diner who turns in their guest receipt to their server and asks that it go toward the FACETS effort. Locations include Burke Town Plaza, 9526 Old Keene Mill Road in Burke, and Pan Am Shopping Center, 3059 Nutley Street in Fairfax, among others. Receipts can also be collected and sent to the FACETS office by Nov. 4. The address is 10565 Lee Highway, Suite 10, Fairfax, VA 22030. Learn more at www.FacetsCares.org.
The STAR (Saturdays Toward an Academic Rise) tutoring program needs adult and high school volunteers to tutor students from the Hayfield pyramid, grades four through 12, in math, reading/language arts, social studies and Spanish. Hayfield is in the Springfield area, and the sessions run from Oct. 18 until the end of March. Tutors meet with one to three students from 9 to 10:30 a.m. twice a month. No experience is necessary; the program provides training and supplemental materials. Contact Leslie Rodriguez at leslierodriguez@fcps.edu or 703-924-7444.
Haven of Northern Virginia, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, needs volunteers to provide emotional supply ill, the dying and their friends and families. Volunteers must be available during weekdays and must be able to commit to a minimum of two and a half hours a week for phone duty for at least one year. Training is provided and will be offered in September. Volunteers are also needed for clerical duties, graphic design, grant writing, program analysis, information systems, fund-raising and building and grounds upkeep. For information, call Haven at 703-941-7000. Haven is located at 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Visit www.havenofnova.org or e-mail info@havenofnova.org.
Two of United Christian Ministries' Transitional Housing programs need child-care. A support group for domestic violence will meet on the first and third Monday of each month. Approximately 12 to 14 children will need to be cared for approximately one and a half hours each night. A life skills class, beginning in October, will meet once a month at 6-9 p.m., at the Bryant building. Children will be divided into small groups according to ages. Groups are needed to donate meals to these meetings. A time commitment will be expected for these housing programs and training will be provided. Contact Sue Kelley at 703-768-7106, Ext. 326.
Volunteer English instructors are needed to teach Adult English as a Second Language with Hogar Hispano of Catholic Charities. Training provided, no second language required. Classes meet evenings and weekends and begin in September throughout Northern Virginia. Call for information at 703-534-9805, Ext. 222 or visit www.ccda.net/hogar_hispano.html.