Tag: volunteers
New coalition focuses on invasive plants
A group of homeowner and community associations has come together to focus on removing invasive plants and supporting the planting of native species. The Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance (FIRA), established on on Jan. 19, is sending letters to the Board of Supervisors and state legislators urging action to address the problem of invasive, non-native plant … Continued
Beltway heroes prevent a crash
When the driver of a car on the beltway experienced a medical emergency and lost consciousness, Good Samaritans stopped the car, averting what could have been a major crash. Michel Cochran, 82 was driving between the Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road exits in Annandale around 10 a.m. on Feb. 16 when she had a … Continued
Clean up Americana Drive on Presidents’ Day
Join the cleanup crew on Americana Drive, Annandale, on Presidents’ Day, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Volunteers will collect trash and construction debris on the side of the road bordering the beltway sound wall. The VDOT Adopt-a-Highway permit requires all participants to check in. The sign-in tent, with trash bags and other supplies, will be … Continued
Free tax help at Mason Government Center
The AARP Foundation is providing free tax preparation at the Mason Government Center. The Tax-Aide program is available on a walk-in basis at 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale or by appointment. Call 703-249-9961 to reserve a spot. Operating hours are 1-8 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; and 9 … Continued
Volunteers will assemble 1,700 meals for those in need
The Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club, the Bailey’s Crossroads Host Lions Club, and the Arlington Moose Lodge are hosting a community meals packaging event on Saturday, Jan. 6. Community members are invited to participate, too. Sign up for a shift here. Volunteers will measure and weigh ingredients and assemble 1,700 meals for distribution to those in … Continued
Asian American Community Center focuses on volunteering, cultural heritage
When people in the community are facing food insecurity, the Asian American Community Center steps up to fill the need. Thuy Nguyen has been volunteering to provide food for homeless shelters for the past 10 years. She founded the Annandale-based AACC in 2020 to expand those efforts as so many peoples’ lives were upended by … Continued
Park Authority honors volunteers
Every year, the Fairfax County Park Authority presents Elly Doyle Park Services Awards to individual volunteers and groups who have contributed their time or experience to improve recreational opportunities and help protect natural, cultural, or historic resources. The Park Board’s 2023 Chairman’s Choice Award was presented on Nov. 17 to three leaders in recognition of … Continued
Volunteers clean up Americana Drive while long-term solutions are explored
More than 50 people removed trash, furniture, and construction debris from American Drive in Annandale on Veterans Day, reports Amy Gould, who has been organizing cleanup events along that roadway for years. Gould estimates the group collected 3.5 tons of material, including 100 bags of trash. They picked up 19 tires, six mattresses, two bed … Continued
Americana Drive cleanup set for Veterans Day
How about taking some time on Veterans’ Day to help make your community a little nicer? Join the volunteers at the community cleanup on Americana Drive in Annandale on Nov. 11, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Trash bags, gloves, and snacks will be provided. Sign up online and meet at the tent on the corner of Americana … Continued
Cakes4Kids ensures at-risk children get a cake on their birthday
When children, for one reason or another, aren’t getting a cake for their birthday, a group of volunteer bakers with Cakes4Kids steps up to make sure they are not forgotten. “We want to make a child feel special on their birthday,” says Campbell, founder of the Northern Virginia Chapter of Cakes4Kids. That group has … Continued
Gross honors Mason District activists
Every year since 1984, each member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors designates two residents as Lord and Lady Fairfax in recognition of their outstanding volunteer service, heroism, or other accomplishment. Supervisor Penny Gross selected Lassine Doumbia Fakoli as this year’s Lord Fairfax and Alis Wang as Lady Fairfax for Mason District. All … Continued
School news roundup
A Mayan partnership – Braddock Elementary School’s Mayan partners adorned the newly renovated school with two new murals. Braddock has had a partnership for the past eight years with Task-Tarea, an organization of people from Guatemala who moved to the United States and wanted to continue to support Mayan village schools back home. They raise … Continued
Starbucks awards grant to Lake Accotink Park friends group
The Starbucks Foundation awarded the Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) $1,000 from its Neighborhood Grants program, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced. A local Starbucks employee nominated FLAP for the grant in recognition of its work to protect the natural and cultural resources and support projects and programmatic opportunities at Lake Accotink Park. FLAP … Continued
Boy Scouts teach outdoor skills to Annandale Boys & Girls Club campers
Kids participating in the Annandale Boys and Girls Club’s summer program learned some outdoor skills from Boy Scout Troop 150 at Ossian Hall Park on Aug. 2. The scouts taught the kids how to tie knots, build a fire, set up a tent, and lash branches together to make a structure. The scouts then helped … Continued
Scouts honor veterans for Memorial Day
Boy Scouts from Troop 150 honored the “fallen heroes” yesterday at the cemetery at Annandale United Methodist Church.