Hundreds of children make holiday crafts at ON-Annandale event

Kids decorate ceramic bowls with decoupage paper and glitter.

More than 300 children and families made gifts for their families and friends Dec. 4 at the Fairmont Gardens apartments hosted by the Opportunity Neighborhoods-Annandale program.

The event was organized by FACETS, a nonprofit that serves families and individuals affected by poverty, hunger, and homelessness.

A volunteer with CAFE helps kids make holiday cards.

A nonprofit called Community Art For Everyone (CAFE) helped the kids make holiday cards. Kids Give Back helped kids decorate ceramic bowls, make ornaments, and assemble fleece pillows.

Officers from the Mason Police Station served as Santa and an elf. A member of the ON-Annandale Community Council took on the role of Mrs. Claus. United Health Care and Safeway provided snacks. Many other volunteers helped keep things running smoothly, including Woodburn Elementary School teachers and Principal Katharine Richman.

A police officer posing as Santa distributes presents to the children.

FACETS is operating ON-Annandale for the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. The group reached out last spring to the residents of two Annandale neighborhoods – Fairmont Gardens and the apartments along Americana Drive – to find out how their communities can better serve families.

FACETS then recruited residents to form working groups to develop and implement programs to achieve their goals.

Children select fleece fabric to make pillows.

In addition to the craft event, the working group on children’s issues hosted a soccer camp this summer and a trunk or treat event in the fall. They are planning swimming lessons this winter. The working groups formed to address safety and apartment issues are still in the learning and discussion stages, says ON-Annandale strategy director Terry Angelotti.

FACETS hopes to rent an apartment at Fairmont Gardens that can be used as community space for homework help, art lessons for kids, English instruction for adults, or other programs.