10/24/11

I LOVE (by Cupcake) You Guys



What is it with all these amazing women bakers in our area? I don't know but I love it! When you can combine your passion for a vocation with your passion for helping other people- well, that's a beautiful thing.


Enter our giveaway sponsor for this week, Love By Cupcake.  As described by the owner:

Love by Cupcake was born in honor of my dear friend who at the age of 38
was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer called Triple
Negative Breast Cancer. Today my friend continues her vigilant and courageous fight and inspires
me to help others. A portion of the money from the purchase of my cupcakes helps
me in my fund raising efforts. I have been able to donate money to families and individuals who have
been affected by cancer.

Want to win a gift certificate from this compassionate baking company? Head over to their facebook and leave a note about how Breast Cancer has affected you- it is, after all, breast cancer awareness month.  I'll pick a winner on Wednesday afternoon, so hop on over!! 

(on a personal note, Love By Cupcake seems to use an amount of edible glitter rivaled only by me.  That makes me love her very much! There's is nothing better than a cupcake....unless it's a sparkle cupcake!!) 

10/20/11

Trick or Canning with PWC Moms


I love it when a plan comes together!

A little background in case you fell off the planet for a few days.  ACTS in Prince William County was forced to shut its doors this week due to a complete lack of food.  That means the 4,000 people it regularly feeds are going hungry until November 1st.

Y'all, I'm a do-er.

So, in conjunction with my friends at Dulles Moms, Our Life Memories, SuperNOVAMommies, and The Real Housewives of PWC, I am pleased to present you with "Trick or Canning with PWC Moms"!!

Yes, Kristina, we see the cute graphic (thanks to Decembre Miller who is super talented!! If you need her contact info, just email me!) but what does it all mean??

Easy.

Step 1- Print out the following letter and put it on your neighbor's a few days before Halloween so they know you're coming.

Step 2- Change your profile picture to the Trick or Canning Logo so other people will do the same! (Or put it on your blog!) Leave a note on the PWC Moms Facebook wall with a link to your blog or letting me know you changed your profile picture and you'll be entered to win a super cute jewelry prize!

Step 3- Get your children looking all adorable and/or scary on October 31st

Step 4- Head out with your regular trick-or-treat bags and an extra (well-reinforced) bag for your trick or canning collection.  Take a copy of the letter with you, or print out the logo and put it on your bag so your neighbors remember.

Step 5- Take your collected goods to the shelter of your choice.  If you or your church/group/business would like to be a drop-off site for canned goods so that people don't have to drive all the way to the shelter, let me know and I'll set you up! If you remember, let me know how many pounds you donated so we can tally up how great you all did!!

This is not a totally out of left-field idea.  It's one we did when I was president of my Key Club in High School.  It's fun and easy and a great way for us to collect several thousand pounds of food.  It's a great project for your "too old to trick-or-treat" kids, too.

Dulles Moms Fans- Liz has recommended Reston Interfaith as a great drop-off site.  She has a custom letter for you all.

SuperNOVAMommies- Micaela recommends FACETS for you all, and also has a custom letter.

PWC Moms/Real Housewives PWC fans, we're obviously recommending ACTS.  This is such a tremendous need in our community, so please pass the word along to your friends, youth group, whatever!

Let's get out there and show them what a bunch of moms can do!!


Here's your PWC Letter.  Look! There's Spanish, too.  I do not speak-a the Spanish, but I have real-live friends who do! Thanks, Gaby!


Hello, neighbors!
We’re your friends here at _______________ and this year, we will be collecting for our food bank.  You can help simply by giving us canned food when we visit your home on Halloween night.  Candies for the kids are also welcome!

The food will be donated to the ACTS food bank in Dumfries.  ACTS is suffering from a food shortage-they have had to close their doors because of a lack of donations.
We hope you will help us in this important mission.  Together, we can serve our people of Prince William County.
Thank you!


¡Hola, vecinos!

Somos sus amigos aqui en ________ y este año, estaremos haciendo una recaudación de fondos para nuestra banco de comida. Uds. pueden ayudar simplemente con darnos una lata de comida cuando visitemos su casa la noche de Halloween. ¡Dulces para los niños también son bienvenidos!

La comida será donada al banco de comida ACTS en Dumfries. ACTS les está faltando comida-han tenido que cerrar sus puertas de ayuda porque no han recibido suficientes donaciones.

Esperamos que nos ayuden en esta misión importante. Juntos, podemos servir a nuestra gente de Prince William County.

¡Gracias!


10/15/11

Helping Other Parents Endure (HOPE)



HOPE

(And not in the Obama kinda way)

Everyone needs a little hope in their lives, but especially parents that have suffered the loss of a pregnancy or infant.  It's an especially hard loss because people don't talk about it.

After losing four pregnancies, PWC Mom Robin began a support group in Vermont for other parents dealing with the loss of a pre-born child.  Now in our area, Robin has continued her passion for helping other parents cope with their loss.  There's no membership or expectation, come as you are when you need to.  Robin says for a lot of people that's the first few months and the anniversary of the birth or loss of their child.  For others, it's just once or twice.  For some, they just keep coming.  Pregnant moms are welcome- the moms in the group know that being pregnant after losing a child is difficult, too.

HOPE means Helping Other Parents Endure, and Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7-8:30pm in the Teen Sunday School room at Church of the Word in Gainesville.

Here's more from Robin:
All who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, infant loss or SIDS death, whether recently or in the past, including 

those who have felt such a loss through someone close to them, are welcome to participate. 

The goal of this informal group is to provide a safe and supportive environment for exploration of changes brought to 
our lives by the loss of a pregnancy or death of an infant.  The group meets monthly on a drop-in basis.  All are 
welcome to attend regularly or whenever you feel the need for support. 

For Additional Information Please Contact: 
HOPE Helping Other Parents Endure Virginia
Robin L. Schroeder:  703-615-3725 (RobinLSchroeder@verizon.net) 
Betty Connal:  703-955-6899 (sidsma27@aol.com / www.sidsma.org) 


10/13/11

Updated Volunteer Opportunities

Celebrating 30 years of service in 2011


Volunteer Opportunities!!!!!!!!
New Opportunities have been added.  Please feel free to share with anyone you know that may be interested in Volunteering. 


1.) Are you age 55 and older and already volunteer in the community? Then we hope you will join the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). This program brings together individuals age 55 and older to volunteer anywhere you already volunteer and provides for a small gas mileage stipend to offset these horrible gas prices. It also provides a wonderful supplemental Insurance program, fun activities and recognition events. But most importantly, allows us to capture specifically the value of your service in our community. Please come join us and be counted! Please call Coleen at (703) 369-5292 ext. 207 to learn more.  

2.) Come be part of our Disaster stand-by volunteer group so we can call on you to help when needed.  Whether it’s cleaning up after floods and storms or aiding neighbors with supplies, we would love to have you join us. Please email Bonnie at: bnahas@volunteerprincewilliam.org for more information or to join the group.   
  
3.) The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is looking for more seniors to be tutors in the elementary schools throughout the community. If you’re age 55 and older and would like to help a little person to improve their reading and math skills then this is the perfect job for you. Please call Coleen at (703) 369-5292 ext. 207 to learn more.
    
4.) Please join the Woodbridge Potomac Civic Association and Supervisor Principi with their semi-annual clean-up event on route 1 and Dawson beach Road. Come be part of the beautification solution in North Woodbridge from 8:30am-noon. Please call Barbara at (703) 792-7803 for all the specifics.

5.) The PW Free Clinic provides much needed health care services to those in need. They have an immediate need for a volunteer to take minutes at the monthly Board meeting. Please call Linda at (703) 344-4593 to link up with this neat group of both medical and non-medical volunteers.
   
6.) PW Soil and Water Conservation District are in their final preparation for Farm Field Days on October 19 & 20th.  At PWC Fairgrounds. Volunteers are needed throughout the day to help with hosting over 1700 fourth grade students learn about the importance of natural resources. Please email Laurie to get the latest updates at:education@pwswcd.org.

7.) PALS provide friendly visitors to adult survivors of brain injury. Volunteers are needed here in the community. Please call Michelle at (703) 451-8881ext. 232 to share a little of your time with another.

8.) Prince William SPCA have 2 new volunteer jobs available including helping at the shelter on Sunday mornings from 9am-noon taking pictures of the pets and administrative jobs. Volunteers are also needed to help with the neuter program on Friday and Saturday mornings by assembling crates, registering the pets as they prepare for transport to a clinic in Harrisonburg for the procedure. Please call Kathy at (703) 772-2799 to learn more or visit their website at: pwspca.org.

9.) The Holiday project is looking for volunteers to visit individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, shelters and long-term care facilities on all the holidays. Please visit their website for more information at: www.holidayproject.org or call Robin at (703) 370-0370 to learn more about their good work throughout the year.

10.) The Prince William Area Free Clinic needs medical professional volunteers to help at the clinics in both Manassas and Woodbridge. These clinics are in the early evening so it’s the perfect opportunity for doctors and nurses to help those less fortunate after work. Volunteer translators are also needed in both clinics. Please email Linda in Woodbridge at linda.franklin@pwafc.org or Angela in Manassas at angela.lambert@pwafc.org. They also need volunteer Dentists and Dental Assistants. 

11.) SERVE needs volunteers to help them screen families for eligibility in the SNAP food stamp program. They just need you one day a week during traditional business hours. This program is so helpful to many families, please email Gail at:  ghkomro@nvfs.org to learn more.
  
12.) The House of Mercy needs volunteers to help at the thrift Store in Manassas to sort clothes or help donors unload their car. Great job for teens age 14 and above and fun place to be. The Thrift Store is open Monday-Saturday.  If retail is not your thing what about helping folks with their language skills? House of Mercy is also in need of English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors at their Manassas location. Please call Ann at (703) 659-1636 for more information.
    
13.) Please take a few moments to prepare your household for power outages. Please visit www.ready.gov for lots of good information.

14.) ACTS is gearing up for Operation Turkey. As you know this program provides food baskets to needy families during the holidays. So it’s time for you to rally the troops and gather food for the baskets or volunteer on one of their many turkey days from November 4th-22nd. Please check out their website for more specifics at:actspwc.org or give Taylor a call at (703) 221-3186 ext. 240

15.) ACTS Turning Points, the Domestic Violence Program is looking for committed volunteers to join their fabulous group of volunteers. Needless to say you will receive extensive training so your equipped to help families in crisis. Volunteer positions include working in the safe houses, as court advocates or leading the groups for men, women and children. Bi-lingual Spanish speakers are especially needed. The next volunteer and staff training begins this Saturday October 15th so please call Linda today at (703) 221-4460 ext. 225 to learn more about these very special volunteer jobs.

16.) Help residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities advocate for their rights, resolve conflicts and improve their lives. The Northern Virginia Long- Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteers who can commit four hours a week for one year. Visits occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Contact 703-324-5861; TTY 711 or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ltcombudsman.

17.) The RSVP Program is running a store for pregnant teens and is in need of donated baby items, specifically new born to size 5 baby diapers, wipes and baby lotion and wash.  Drop off your donations at the Volunteer Prince William office at 9248 Center Street, Manassas.

18.) The Clock Tower Thrift Shop in Centreville needs help sorting and organizing donations, ensuring the shopping area is organized and assisting customers with their purchases. This is a great group opportunity! Volunteers age 12-15 may volunteer if accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Thrift Shop is open 7 days a week and is open until 8pm during the week! The Thrift Shop benefits all programs of Northern Virginia Family Service. Please call (703)219-2193 for more information.

19.) The American Red Cross office in Quantico need volunteers to help in their busy office. These wonderful folks help service men and women stationed overseas as well as all the other cool stuff done here in our community including training and disaster services. Please call Gary at (703) 932-1118 if you can help him during traditional business hours. 
      
20.) Habitat for Humanity have tons going on this month including manning their info table at PWC Recycles Day on 10/22 at the landfill, helping with disaster clean-up jobs around the county or preparing lunches for volunteers at their many worksites throughout the community. You can use your handy skills, get your hands a little dirty or just fix some sandwiches, chips and drinks. Please call Tiffanie at (703) 369-6708 or check out their volunteer calendar at: habitatpwc.org for all the latest info.
  
21.) CASA needs new volunteers to serve on the newly created Resource Development Committee. This is the perfect opportunity for creative, motivated volunteers who love pulling together an event from start to finish. Please email Tina at:casacards@earthlink.net to learn more.
     
22.) INOVA VNA Home Health Care reach out every day to homebound patients with needed health services. Volunteers are needed throughout the community as friendly visitors to provide companionship or maybe doing a little something around their house. Training is provided. Please call Marion at (703) 916-2885 for more information.

23.) Those super kids are doing super stuff with the Joe 15 Team. Bring your energy, spirit and leadership skills to the table and work on that volunteering resume for college at the same time. Please call Debbie at (703) 895-1606 or check out the website: www.thejoe15team.org to learn more.

24.) The Manassas Park Police Department is looking for volunteers in a number of positions. Come be part of their Volunteers in Police Service Program. You could be working in fleet management, data entry, FOIA requests, administrative assistance, accreditation or crime prevention. Please call Lt. Roberts at (703) 361-1136 to learn more.

25.) OAR of Fairfax County is a local non-profit restorative justice organization providing human services since 1971. Many volunteer opportunities exist to help OAR further its mission to rebuild lives and break the cycle of crime to create a safer community. OAR volunteers provide vital services and program support to ex-offenders and their families. A list of volunteer opportunities follows. Teach anger management, parenting, life skills, financial literacy, computers, employability skills, and keyboarding at the Fairfax Adult Detention Center or in the OAR Office. Mentor face to face. Serve as a Family Outreach Volunteer during visiting hours or interact with clients directly by staffing OAR's front desk. For information on these and other opportunities contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (703) 246-3033.

26.) Guiding Eyes for the Blind are looking for puppy raisers. This lovely organization places puppies in homes where they learn obedience, good house manners and socialization. And because these puppies will be the life line for another throughout their lives, it doesn’t matter if you are single or live in an apartment or home or have lots of members of you family or for that matter have any experience with dogs. For more information please visit their website at: www.guidingeyes.org or email Beth at:bethsalvaggio@comcast.net.

27.) The Alzheimer’s Association offer support groups for anyone caring for an elder with this challenging disease. The groups provide a place for you to share information, get tips or to learn more about the journey your loved one is traveling. These groups meet at Westminster at Lake Ridge, Caton Merchant House, Manassas St Thomas, Sudley North Government Building, the Woodbridge Senior Center and the Old Bridge United Methodist Church. To find the exact times for each please call the helpline at (703) 359-4440.

28.) BEACON adult literacy is gearing up for their next tutor training this fall. Volunteers are especially needed in the Woodbridge area to work with adults as they improve their literacy skills. And of course you will receive training and all the skills needed to be successful.  Please call Caroline at (703) 368-7491 to learn more.

29.) The Greater Prince William Medical Reserve Corps is in need of health professionals and community members to volunteer for upcoming events such as health outreach and first aid tents. The unit will play a huge role in upcoming functional exercises, assistance for the Civil War reenactment, and other community events.  After registering and attending orientation, volunteers can register for training in emergency preparedness, disaster behavioral health, CPR/AED, first-aid, and others. Please email Bobbi at bobbi.steneck@vdh.virginia.gov  for more information or you can apply online at their website, www.vdh.virginia.gov/mrc/princewilliammrc   

30.) The Prince William Clean Community Council is looking for volunteers to be part of the recycling speaker’s bureau.  You’ll have all the tools to reach all aspects of the community whether it’s in the schools or at varies organizations and community groups.  Call Kayne at 571-285-3772 to learn more.

31.) Project Mend a House is looking for volunteers in both the office and out in the community. There are lots of ways to help this wonderful organization besides with the hammer in your hand. Please call Andrea at (703) 792-7663 to learn more.

32.) The Greater Prince William Community Health Center is growing. Volunteers are needed during traditional business hours to help with administrative tasks. This is a busy place is a real resume builder and the perfect job for volunteers who are bi-lingual and have some health care experience. Volunteers are also needed with special projects and fun events. Please visit their website at: GPWCHC.org or email them atinfo@GPWhealthcenter.org to learn more. 

33.) The Calvary Counseling Center in Manassas needs volunteers to help with basic office duties. This is a lively office. Please call Dr. Chambers at703-530-9800 to learn more about this wonderful organization and their volunteer needs.  

34.) Blue Ridge Assistance Dogs needs a volunteer to help with their newsletter. Please email Stuart at – seschadt@gmail.com or call Rose to learn more about this wonderful organization at (703) 219-7231.

35.) The Juvenile Detention Center is looking for licenses barber to come in once or twice a month to cut the boys hair. There are usually 5-8 boys in need of your services each week. Please call Jayne at (703) 791-3559 to help out.

36.) SERVE in Manassas needs your help with their Empty Bowls event on Friday October 21st from 5pm-8pm with a host of different jobs including set-up, moving bowls from Manassas Clay to the Manassas Assembly of God Church, greeting patrons, assisting in the kitchen and clean-up. Please call Jan at (703) 367-6742 to help out.

37.) SERVE needs your help with food donations. It’s been a busy few months and the shelves are bare.  Top needs include canned veggies, dry cereal, canned meats, pasta, sauces, rice, applesauce and canned fruit. Please deliver the food to the pantry during traditional business hours or give Karen a call at (703) 367-6726 for more info.

38.) The Don Bosco Center in Manassas needs your help with the after school program. Volunteers work with kids in grades 5 and up with homework and sports and in the computer lab. Please email Father Ramon at:frramon@gmail.com to learn more.

39.) The Woodbridge Dance Company is looking for volunteers to serve on their Board of directors and committees. Meetings are monthly on the 3rdWednesday of the month. This is a wonderful way to offer your leadership in forwarding the mission of this lovely arts organization. Please call Catherine at (703) 670-7884 to learn more.

40.) Birthright of Manassas has expanded their office hours to include Saturdays. Volunteers are needed to help in the office most days. This program offers free pregnancy testing and support services to moms and babies. Please call (703) 361-9769 to join the great group of volunteers.

41.) The Manassas Chapter of Families Anonymous is in need of a mature bilingual (English/Spanish) individual or couple who can help them with a 12 Step Program for other Spanish Speakers desperately in need of this program. 12 Step Programs are so important to families experiencing problems with loved ones that have alcohol and drug abuse issues. Strongly prefer an individual that may have their own personal struggles with a loved one. Please call Pat at (703) 928-9385.

42.) The Manassas Elks Lodge needs volunteers on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at their Bingo Kitchen from 5:30-9:30pm. This is a wonderful way for teens to complete their volunteer requirements or for adults looking to meet new neighbors. Duties include taking food orders, delivering sandwiches and such to bingo players and light set-up and cleaning. Please call Chetta at (703) 856-7717 to learn more.

43.) Prince William County Division of Historic Preservation is looking for enthusiastic tour guides for the beautiful Ben Lomond house in Manassas. This is a wonderful way to learn more about our local treasures. Tours are offered Thursday-Monday from May-October. Please call Bill at (703) 367-7872 to learn more.

44.) The Disaster Preparedness Community Outreach program teaches all aspects of our community to be prepared for incidents that can affect lives. Volunteers are needed to visit schools, adult living communities, shelters and neighborhoods to share the message. This is the perfect way to learn more about your community and meet new people. Please call Bonnie at (703) 369-5292 ext. 202 to learn more.

45.) The Rippon Lodge Historic Site in Woodbridge needs volunteers to be docents and tour guides, assisting with special events and as a gardener. This is a wonderful way to learn more about your rich history and have lots of fun. Please email Karen at:kfossum@pwcgov.org to learn more.

46.) The Community health center needs a licensed Pharmacist to check potential drug interactions and label medications for clients of the Medication Access Program. This fabulous facility is in Woodbridge and is perfect for you with a flexible schedule. Please call Navara at (703) 219-2193 to learn more.

47.) The Prince William Clean Community Council is looking for volunteers to help with their Storm Drain Labeling Program.  Help keep pollution from entering our waterways!  Call Kayne at 571-285-3772.

48.) Please mark your calendars for exciting events this fall to support local organizations! First is Project Mend a House’s Annual Taste of the Town on October 19th. Tickets are available for $25 by calling Ernie at (703) 980-0892.The Chips for Charity event is October 21st in Woodbridge. It promises to be a fun evening of games and entertainment. Please visit: www.chips4charity.org for more information. And lastly is the Transitional Housing BARN’s beautiful Festival of Trees event on November 12th in Herndon including dinner, gaming, auction and of course the decorated holiday trees. Please visit their website at: www.barninc.org to learn more.

49.) American Diabetes Association needs tons of volunteers to help at the Prince William Step Out Walk on Saturday as well. There is an early shift and a late morning shift. Jobs include greeters, registration, rest stop crew, event set up just to name a few. Please call Nahome at (202) 331-8303 ext. 4529to register for this wonderful event. 

50.) Cooperative Extension is looking for volunteers to give financial counseling to families throughout the year. The next volunteer training is scheduled for November 5th.  Please call (703) 792-4765 to get a volunteer application.

51.) Yes you Can Young Lady, Young Man is calling all kids to compete in the 3rd Annual Talent Competition on October 15th at Mayfield Intermediate School at 6pm.  Dancers, singers, musicians, hip-hoppers are welcome.  There are cash prizes to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers.  Come be part of this wonderful, positive event for kids.  Adult volunteers are also welcome.  Please call Nina at (703) 338-7719 to learn more.

52.) Saturday October 22nd is also the date of the 7th Annual 5K Walk for Autism. Over 1,000 participants will be walking or running. Volunteers are needed at the Fairgrounds for a whole host of fun jobs. Please call Dorothy at (571) 239-9902 to help.

53.) The Manassas Museum is looking for weekend volunteers to greet visitors, serve as docents and sharing our rich history. You’ll receive all the training to make this a wonderful experience. Please call Lisa at (703) 257-8407 to learn more

54.) Volunteers are needed on Saturday November 5th to help with the MADD Walk at Battlefield High School.  Duties include set-up, registration, helping with signage and assisting vendors.  Please call Noreen at (703) 379-1135 to learn more.

55.) Seniors and those of us caring for seniors are cordially invited to the Senior Expo on Wednesday November 9th from 3:30-6pm at Manassas St. Thomas United Methodist Church. This expo is free and you’ll learn about the many services available to seniors and other worthwhile activities. Please call Barbara at (703) 766-9026 to learn more.



If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call our team here at Volunteer Prince William Coleen can help Senior Volunteers with Retired and Senior Volunteer (RSVP) opportunities at (703) 369-5292 ext 207, Then myself Shelley (703) 369-5292 ext 201,Bonnie can help you with all the other many opportunities available in Disaster Preparedness at (703) 369-5292 ext 202 or please don’t forget our website’s at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org and www.1-800-volunteer.org. Also feel free to look for opportunities in our Call to Action Column that runs every Tuesday Morning in the local News Paper.


Thank you
Shelley Tibbs
Volunteer Prince William
Recruitment, Outreach & Disaster Services
9248 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
703-369-5292 Ext 201
Fax: 703-369-5671