Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Volunteer program involving older adults in schools recognized by governor

A GrandInvolve volunteer works with a student at Parklawn Elementary School. [FCPS] The GrandInvolve program, in which older adults help young students with academic skills, was recognized with a 2017 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award. GrandInvolve is in six Fairfax County elementary schools, including Parklawn in Mason District. The program, launched three years ago, … Continued

Huge book sale at George Mason Regional Library has comics, games, first editions

Large selection of comics. [GMF] The semi-annual book sale April 27-30 at George Mason Regional Library in Annandale features movies, music, and videogames as well as 80 categories of books.  There’s an entire room dedicated to children’s titles, sorted by subject and reading level. The event, hosted by George Mason Friends, is open 3-9 p.m. … Continued

School news: Science stars

Third-graders at Belvedere Elementary School organized a seed sale as part of a unit on economics. An occasional series highlighting programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information and photos here are from Fairfax County Public Schools and individual schools. Science Olympiad – Luther Jackson Middle School came in third overall, beating … Continued

Marie Monsen nominated for Volunteer Fairfax Lifetime Achievement Award

Marie Monsen (second from left) at a Rebuilding Together project in Annandale. Marie Monsen, a longtime community activist in Mason District, has been nominated for a 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from Volunteer Fairfax. Monsen was recognized for her work with the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA), Rebuilding Together, Shelter House, Faith Communities in Action, … Continued

Volunteers help lower-income residents file taxes

AARP Volunteers provide tax assistance. [AARP Foundation] Need help filing your income tax forms? Volunteers with the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program are providing free walk-in tax assistance to low to moderate-income people at the Mason Government Center Tax Aide volunteers will be there 1-8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays; 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and … Continued

Annandale Rotary Club forges close relationship with Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale Rotary Past President Jim McConville presents a check to NVCC Rotaract Faculty Advisor Jacintha Jayatilake. Also pictured, left to right: Provost Pam Hilbert, Jennifer Sayasithsena, Jennifer Winters, and JoAnn Short. The Annandale Rotary Club has donated $300 to the Rotaract Club at the Northern Virginia Community College’s Annandale campus to support the club’s food … Continued

Families volunteer on National Day of Service

Children create valentines with hopeful messages for youths aging out of foster care.  Many local families honored the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 16 by taking part in service activities organized by Volunteer Fairfax at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. Lucky rescue dogs will enjoy these toys.  Participants rotated among four … Continued

Help the needy at Stuff the Bus events

The seventh annual Stuff the Bus program takes place at 14 grocery stores throughout Fairfax County Jan. 14-Feb. 20. The program, a joint effort of Fairfax County government, local grocery stores, and nonprofit organizations, is aimed at restocking food pantries for those in need. A Fastran bus staff by MV Transportation personnel will park at … Continued

Sock drive supports the homeless

Some of the sock donated by local residents.  The second annual Socks for the Holidays campaign in Annandale netted more than 1,100 pairs of socks for the homeless. The socks were dropped off at the Patrick Henry Family Shelter, a 42-bed facility in Seven Corners operated for Fairfax County by Shelter House. If that shelter doesn’t … Continued