Volunteers sought for Wedgewood Community Center

The Wedgewood Community Center hosts an afterschool program during the school year.

Children who live in the Wedgewood apartments in Annandale can participate in a free program this summer run by FACETS, a nonprofit organization based in Fairfax that oversees the Wedgewood Community Center.

FACETS would like to host a kick-off party on July 8, at 5 p.m., but needs to recruit some volunteers to make that happen. Civic associations, religious institutions, and businesses are encouraged to do this as a group activity. The emphasis is on summer reading, and every child at the event will get a free book.

Volunteers are also needed to help out at the Wedgewood Community Center throughout the summer.

If you’re interested in volunteering, contact D’Ivonne Holman, FACETS’ volunteer and events manager, 703-865-4251. Volunteers must be 18 and older.

The free, summer drop-in program for kids at the Wedgewood Community Center is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, July 11-Aug. 11. On Fridays, it’s lunch only.

Kids in kindergarten through grade 12 can participate, but most are elementary school age, says Erin Hansen, education and community development team leader at FACETS. The center usually sees about 20 to 50 kids a day.

The summer program includes activities like arts and crafts, science, geography, reading. pen pals, and outdoor games on the field at Annandale Terrace Elementary School. Free lunches are provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s summer food program.