Leesylvania State Park 2015 Event Calendar

Leesylvania State Park always has a series of fun events for summer!! Join them outside for some great fun in the sun! Whether it's Naitonal Kids to Park Day or Music at the Marina, it'll be a fun (and low-cost!) time! 

Featured Organization Friday: Virginia Service Conservation Corps

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Sept. 15, 2014

Applicants needed for new service program in Virginia State Parks

(RICHMOND) — Applications are being accepted for the inaugural season of the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps. Created by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, and inspired by the conservation ethic of President Franklin Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, VSCC participants will help to preserve and protect public lands in Virginia.

VSCC projects include trail construction and maintenance, invasive species control and prescribed burn projects that re-establish historic, fire-adapted ecosystems on parklands. Crewmembers may also have short-term deployments for disaster relief in affected communities.

Crew members will complete 1,700 hours of service during a 10-month term from November 2014 through August 2015.

Participants receive a taxable, monthly living allowance of $1,210, student loan forbearance and health care if needed. VSCC membership provides hands-on training and formal education opportunities, as well as eligibility for the Segal Education Award of $5,645 upon successful completion of the term of service. The education award may be used to pay educational costs at eligible post-secondary institutions, including many technical schools and GI-Bill approved educational programs, as well as to repay qualified student loans.

Applicants must be US citizens and 17 or older, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and pass a comprehensive background check. The deadline is Nov. 17, but applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. This is a non-residential program; housing is not provided. Members must be capable of reporting daily to their base park at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield, Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge or Hungry Mother State Park in Marion.

Mandatory training for selected members will be held at Twin Lakes State Park Nov. 19-23, 2014.

Based upon the award-winning success of Virginia State Parks’ Youth Conservation Corps, which received the Department of Interior’s “Take Pride In America” Best Youth Volunteer Program award in 2010, the VSCC will address veteran and young-adult unemployment rates, environmental decline, the public’s growing disconnect with nature and the catastrophic effect of natural disasters in communities across Virginia.

VSCC crews will develop leadership qualities while the VSCC will develop a new generation of skilled workers, educated citizens, and active stewards of America’s natural and cultural resources.

To apply, visit apply online here. For more information, email vspamericorps@dcr.virginia.gov or call 804-625-3984.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation manages Virginia State Parks, which offer dozens of festivals and concerts and thousands of educational programs across the state.

For more information about state park activities and amenities, or to make reservations in one of the 25 parks with camping facilities or 18 parks with cabins or family lodges, call the Virginia State Parks Customer Care Center at 800-933-7275 or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

# # #

Jim Meisner, Jr.
Public Relations Specialist

Va. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation

600 E. Main St., 16th Floor

Richmond, VA  23219

(804) 786-8442                         Fax (804) 371-2072
jim.meisner@dcr.virginia.gov      www.dcr.virginia.gov/

Seed Stomp Volunteers Wanted!

Join Leesylvania State Park on October 4th from 11am-1pm at the Lee's Woods Trailhead to help establish a field of wildflowers while having fun at the same time! Questions, call 703-583-6904 or email genevieve.white@dcr.virginia.gov

30 Acts of Kindness 15-21: The Easy Ones With No Pictures

During February, March (because snow is not my friend) I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

I am a bad blogger.  I am so very far behind on these posts- but I definitely wanted to do an update!! Last we spoke, I'd completed task 14 at the Bill Mehr Drop in Shelter thanks to Chick Fil A. 

Let's continue with some of the easy ones that I don't have pictures for because of privacy/inability to take a picture of the person benefitting:

15- Drive Thru Difference.  
This one was super easy! You can read more about it and even print a letter by visiting WGTS or you can just drop some extra money off with the drive-thru cashier.  You don't have to pay for someone's whole order (we lucked out and the person behind us just got lunch for one, I was sure when I agreed to this one I was going to end up with a full conversion van of 20 people behind me) you can just do $5 or $10- it'll make a difference in their day!

16/17- Get someone's coffee (Bonus: Pet Treats)
We happened to be at Walmart in Manassas one day and there were two gentlemen sitting outside in the rain with their dog trying to pick up some work.  We picked up some dog treats, hot coffee, and cookies and told them to have a great day.  It was cold, so hopefully it was a helpful pick me up! 

18- Dinner at an ACTS Shelter (My contribution was cupcakes)
A very sweet Girl Scout troop offered me the opportunity to join their dinner at the Domestic Violence Shelter, I made cupcakes and they served.  Thank you, girl scouts!

19- Fill up all the vending machines (We did CiCis Pizza)
This was a fun one for my kids to help with.  We got quarters and left them in the vending machines at CiCis so that when the next group of kids got there, they'd get a fun treat.  The kids actually had a lot of fun imagining who was going to get each thing. 

20- Take someone dinner
This worked out well because we had friends who were adopting! Even if you're not the best cook in the world, Boston Market is a nice change from Pizza! 

21- Volunteer with a kids group-
I'm counting volunteering at Cub Scout Day Camp.  Because I did, and I can :) Additionally, I got to shoot a bow and arrow, at which I am not horrible.  Bonus. 

30 Acts of Kindness Task 14: Hypothermia Shelter Dinner

During February, March (because snow is not my friend) I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

The Bill Mehr Drop-In Shelter is run by the Cooperative Council of Ministries (CCOM) and is located at 14730 Potomac Mills Road.  If you're on Telegraph Road just past Toys R Us, where you could turn left onto Opitz/Smoketown to go to Wegmans, but you go straight towards the bus depot instead, you will eventually dead-end into the shelter.   From November 1-March 31 from 6:30pm-7am, this space is also used as a 50-bed hypothermia shelter.  This allows area residents who typically sleep in tents or other makeshift spaces to come in from the cold and sleep safely.  The space also offers shower facilities.  Patrons are offered a ride to churches on some nights where dinner is provided, but some cannot or prefer not to go, and some nights there's not a dinner option, so I was very excited that you guys helped me to bring a simple meal over.  Chick Fil A Sudley Manor Drive happened to be celebrating their 50th Anniversary of the Chick Fil A Sandwich by giving away 50 of them.  To win, entrants just had to say what they'd do with the sandwiches and have friends/family/facebook vote for their idea.  You guys are an awesome flash mob ;)  I picked up all 50 of my sandwiches at once and drove them over to Woodbridge one fine Wednesday evening.

My car smelled so buttery and delicious.  

I needed to take the heated bag back to CFA, so I had a good excuse to sit and chat with folks while they ate.  I love talking to people, and there were a lot of really great stories shared around the table.  This was a really easy and quick way to do something positive.  We actually did this as an impromptu family project when the "Polar Vortex" first came though.  My mom really has a heart for people not being cold- it's actually an ongoing joke with us that she cannot drive through DC in the winter without "losing" her coat.  She and her BFF brought over materials to my house and with my kids we packaged PBJs, Cup of Noodles, Crackers, and a treat up so the shelter could hand them out.  There's a kitchen in the facility, so hot water, microwave, and fridge are available. Simple, easy, and still helpful- this was definitely an easy act for anyone to try!! I bet it'd work just as well with $5 pizzas from Little Caesar's if you don't have a contest to win! 

PS- while the shelter will be closing at the end of the month for evenings, they'll still have the drop-in shelter open during the day.  They have a list of needed items, including boots in various sizes, on their website, so be sure to check that out! 

30 Acts of Kindness Task 13: ACTS Thrift Shop

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

I feel like I owe ACTS another day of Thrift Shop work- I ran late in traffic and arrived 20 minutes after I should have and then I had to duck out early because my son had a hockey tournament in York, PA and we were told that we should leave extra travel time.  I actually really liked working at the thrift store- first because I had a few readers join me and it's always so cool to chat with you guys, and second because we got to organize books, which I loved! I really like jobs where I can see that I'm accomplishing something, so watching books and boxes and bags get emptied out was really satisfying! 

The ACTS Thrift Store is located at the Route 1 split in Dumfries and staffed by the lovely people in red vests. 

You can donate, shop, and volunteer at the Thrift Store.  I'm going to tell you right now- they had amazing prices!! There was a special sale the day we were there, so books (normally 5 for $1) were 10 for $1! People got hardcover collectors books, the entire Twilight Series, 50 Shades of Grey, The Help, and more! Kids books were 5 CENTS EACH, and there were tons of nice books! I saw people snag Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, unopened Sesame Street and Dora music books, and more! I didn't spend a lot of time in the clothes, but I did notice some really nice work shirts if your husband has to wear a button-down for his job. 

Donation Hours:

Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Retail Hours:

Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

To volunteer, contact Robin at rsheedy@actspwc.org.  This work can involve some lifting/moving, so it's best suited for older teens and adults- but it really was satisfying work! 

 

30 Acts of Kindness Task 11: The 25th Project

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

Do you like to tailgate? No, seriously, this is a legitimate question.  Why? Because if you do, The 25th Project might be the PERFECT place for you to volunteer your time.  

Organizer Jay Herriot started The 25th Project by handing out meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas with his family.  Since they both happened to fall on the 25th, they decided to keep going, and provide home-cooked meals each month on the 25th.  You can come out with your family and help out this fun organization every month on the 25th.  There is basically zero prep work involved.  You show up (we brought socks, but there's a list of needed items available here), you split into groups, and you hang out in a parking lot and eat some really really tasty soup and chat with people.  More than anything, I've learned as I do this 30 Acts series, people really just want to connect with other people.  

I took my boys (ages 7 and 10) with me, and we had an awesome time.  This isn't a "heavy lifting" type of volunteering, but it's very personal and fun.  

So, here's the process:
1) Check the facebook page.  RSVP that you're coming and if you want to bring some needed items, stop at Walmart on the way.  
2) You're going to meet up with the big group BEHIND Home Depot.  I drove past Kohls and Global Food to the end of the shopping center, and there was obviously a group of people doing something! People meet up starting around 4:15-4:30.
3) Volunteers divide up.  A group stays behind Home Depot, another group heads to Kmart, and another group heads to the shelter.  
4) Chat and help out.  Hand out socks, first aid kits, soup and bread.  Talk about the Redskins.  Talk about whatever.  Be a friend.  It's awesome.
5) Can't actually show up? The 25th Project is a 501c3 and you can donate to them, which helps to pay for things like Propane Tank Refills- so very vital in the cold weather and not cheap!  Mail checks to: 

  The 25th Project
  6908 Sydenstricker Road
  Springfield, VA  22152

30 Acts of Kindness Task 9: Helping Hands of Grace

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

Our American Heritage Girls (AHG) group helps out periodically at the Helping Hands of Grace meals held at Grace Baptist Church in Woodbridge. Helping Hands of Grace holds dinner for those utilizing the winter shelter each Friday evening from November-March.  Guests are picked up from the winter shelter and brought back to the church for a short devotional and meal.  HHG also helps with the drop-in shelter (Bill Mehr Drop-In Center) from April-October, which provides access to showers, restrooms, and a light meal before and after typical work hours.  Grace takes meals on Tuesday evenings. They also help out at the Hilda Barg Center providing meals.

Serving dinner at the Helping Hands of Grace Friday evening meals is a fantastic project.  Again, there were no age limits, so as long as you have adequate adults to supervise you can bring your whole family.  Our AHG troop had a great time.  As with any service opportunity where there are lots of people in and out of a space, you'll want to make sure you're managing your children well and not letting them wander, but that goes for any activity.  For our Friday night project, each family signed up to bring a casserole, a side dish, salad, bread, or dessert.  We brought our food prepared, although there an oven and a microwave are available for reheating items.  Kids helped set up the tables, adults laid out food and prepared drinks (lemonade, coffee, I believe there was iced tea).  During dinner, both children and adults served guests food and children went around refilling drinks.  After dinner we all helped with cleanup and packaged the leftovers into provided containers to be taken back to the shelter for those who couldn't/didn't take the shelter over to eat.

We originally planned to go as a whole family, but Logan and Savannah had been in the car all afternoon and weren't feeling well, so Riley and I stayed, while Austin took our little two home.  Riley is 10, and he was really a rockstar doing this- I think 9 or 10 is a great age for kids to be engaged in service like this because they're old enough and experienced enough to do a lot of work on their own.  Granted, younger kids can obviously serve salad or bread and greet people with a smile, but I really enjoyed watching Riley keep himself busy and working- he's got a good heart :)

If you'd like to get involved with Helping Hands of Grace, contact ministry leaders Steve and Melissa Brooks to volunteer or for information at helpinghandsgracebaptist@gmail.com or 703-403-8612.

30 Acts of Kindness Task 8: Help @ An Elementary School

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

Whoohoo is this 30 Acts of Kindness keeping me busy!! Listen, if I can fit 30 of these suckers into a 28-day month, I hope some of you will consider getting in one at some point in 2014! Hopefully more, but at least one! I'm trying really hard to give you lots and lots of options so that you'll find something that is a perfect fit for you!

I cannot find the email, but someone wrote in and suggested I volunteer at an elementary school that doesn't get a lot of volunteers.  When Riley, my 10 year old, went to school (we haven't always been those weird homeschoolers, you know) I volunteered as much as I could at his base school.  It's not always easy when you've got younger kids at home, but there is truly no better way to understand what's going on at your child's school, and to know which teachers you want, than to be there!!  

I put up a post on Facebook asking for teachers that could use a few volunteer hours, and the first response I got was from Mrs. Rupay-Dean of Neabsco Elementary, who invited me to help out in the library for a few hours.  

Holy holy holy, people.

If you've got kids, and I assume you do since you're reading my website, you know what they can do to a bookshelf.  Now imagine a few hundred of them over the course of a day.  

Yup, we've got some shelves to stock :) This was actually a really nice way to pass a few hours- the kids come in and out, but clearing the carts really made me feel like I actually accomplished something, even if I knew it wouldn't last.

I'm in touch with that concept- I keep cleaning my house, and my kids keep messing it up.  However, I feel really good for the five minutes it lasts :) 

Anyhow, volunteering at a  school can work for just about anyone! Love kids? Great! They can use you in a classroom, as a reading buddy, or helping with an after-school activity.  Don't love kids? You can make copies, cut pieces for file-folder games, or stock books in the library.  Want to help but don't have a babysitter for your little kids? Call the school- there's probably something you could do from home, whether it's prepping a project or cutting out bulletin board pieces.  If you have a special skill, like computers, robotics, or any passion you'd like to share, the school might have just the place for you!! Just call the front desk and let them know you want to help out!

I think that volunteering at a school could be a great fit for lots of mommas, whether you're checking out the school your little ones will go to, helping while your children attend, or just going to help because you can! Teens could be a great help too, especially homeschoolers who have extra time, although I remember helping at the Lake Ridge Elementary French program when I was a high school junior- I just had to make sure I beat the buses out of the parking lot!  

Thanks for the great idea, and thanks to Neabsco Elementary for having me (and for the fire drill! Those were always the coolest when I was a kid!)  

30 Acts of Kindness Tasks 3-6, Show Some Love

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

One of my greatest hopes in doing this series was that just ONE person would be inspired to take their family out to make a difference.  I had three different mommas write in and suggest showing appreciation to our local police, firefighters, and library staff.  We made triple chocolate chip and oatmeal Craisin cookies and delivered them to Lake Ridge Neighborhood Library, OWL Station 14, and Logan's scout leader, who's a PWC Police Officer, was kind enough to deliver our cookies to the station for us.  However, the big news, for me, was an email that I received from a momma who decided she'd do the same.  I cannot tell you how this made my day :) I knew someone had done the same thing because they mentioned it on the Manassas Park Fire and Rescue Page. I had a few readers email/message to ask if the cookies were mine, and I was so excited to say no! I was even more excited to get the full report from mom Julie sharing their amazing experience taking part in this "assignment".  Rather than share my prepared post, I'm going to share her email, with permission, of course!

Thank you so much Julie, for sharing your story- that was such an act of kindness to me, as I always wonder if anything I do is making an impact. 
____________________________________________________
  I'll begin with yesterday (2/2/14), busy busy and more busy. Sunday School, church, home to change and get coupons, "quick" (lol) 4 hour trip to Wal-Mart on Super Bowl Sunday, back home, gramma starts mixing the dough as I put away groceries, settle kiddos down. The nightseemed like it never ended, why you may ask, well my 4 yr old didn't fall asleep till 2 hrs past norm, about then the 2 yr old woke from his 2 hour night nap at 9:30pm and up till like 4(am)!!!!! So my 3hr
sleep was precious!
Noon on 2/3/14 I set off with only my 4 yr old because the little one isn't feeling great. Cookies all packaged up and ready to go, I thought it would be fairly quick since everything was close by (NOT) :). 

We started at the police station where Ms. Bunge greeted us with a smile. As we were talking, mainly my non stop 4 yr old son William, she asked if he had a children's id. We don't, so she asked if we wanted to, sure that sounds great since we are already here. That was the beginning to the wonderful experience we had at Manassas Park police station. About the time we were done with making the id officer William was standing there talking away to William, he gives us free passes to the community  center for the whole family and then asks if we are ready for the tour- I wasn't even aware we were going on! He took us around showing William everything from their newest police vehicle to pulling up a cruiser close to the building so we could see it but not get wet, all the while picking up different things to take with us, a photo of a police vehicle, cups, pens, sticker/picture game, I was running out of hands. Then he shares with me his job which is community outreach, says he has a office at the rec center where he was when we arrived but to my surprise Ms. Bunge had called him and asked if he could come over to give us a tour!!! I was in awe of their kindness they showed us when we were the ones trying to do the kind act for them, officer William didn't even know he had cookies waiting for him!!!

After that, it was off to the fire house. EMT Lee greeted us with a warm smile as we handed over the tasty cookies. Asks William if he wants to see a fire truck, he says yes as if you needed me to say that! Lee was awesome showing us around, sharing his knowledge about how those big red fire trucks work and letting William roam all around from one vehicle to the next! From there William got a cool plastic glove balloon with a painted face made by Lee and his own pair of plastic EMT gloves!! (Way past time to eat so we break at Starbucks for a quick snack).

 Now to the library!!! Started by returning a book, then to the information desk where William hands cookies to the "nice lady" he calls her. She was excited to get cookies, said the peanut blossoms were her favorite!! William and the"nice lady" talked for a few minutes until he inched his way toward the kid area anxiously wanting to start doing puzzles, she says what a wonderful boy he is and that he could stay there all day talking to her, I share that he talks from the time he wakes till his eyes close, so she says well in moderation(lol), she shares that her daughter was that way and even talked in her sleep!! (We stayed at the library doing puzzles and reading books for a little while). Not sure what "nice lady's" name was.

5 o'clock we finally get back home!! So much to share with little brother and grandma about it fantastic day that turned into a kindness act from both sides that was pure and from the heart!
~ Julie 

30 Acts of Kindness: Task 2, Become a Cancer Mentor

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

I'm not sure I'm any kind of authority on how to have cancer.  In fact, the type of brain tumor I had, which is called an Ependymoma, may actually be or not be cancer depending on who you ask.  My health insurance, for example, seems to think I'm peachy-keen and don't need MRIs to check for regrowth.  My oncologist (that's a cancer doctor) and radiation oncologist (that's a cancer doctor with lasers) both say the mass in my brain that tried to kill me is probably coming back to try again.  

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

Anyway, since some cancer centers classify ependymomas as cancer and others don't, I was actually really nervous about this task, suggested by Meaghan H., because I could see myself being really devistated if I reached out to an organization and they told me I wasn't "cancery" enough.  

We make up adjectives here on PwcMoms.  It's okay. 

 Anyhow, there are a few organizations out there designed to help people facing a health crisis by connecting them with survivors.  Tell us about it Beyonce!

Not really, that's actually her singing "Survivor" to a girl with brain cancer....but it's a good Kleenex moment.

Two organizations that I'd like to mention are Immerman Angels, which is the group that I registered through, and  What Next.

Both of these groups are designed to offer patient to former-patient connection to help make decision making easier, or just to let people know they're not alone in what they're going through.  While all the healthy people that rally around you are incredible, sometimes they just don't understand (and you hope they never have to) what you're actually dealing with.  People tell me all the time that I seem so healthy and energetic they'd never guess I was sick- which is what I want them to think, but it's a lie because I don't want people to see me struggle or complain, and I think a lot of us do that in our lives, no matter what we're struggling with.  That's why it's so beneficial to link people up who can take off the mask and be real with each other to offer support through shared experience. 

This assignment took me about 15 minutes total.  I filled out the volunteer form and got a call from a coordinator who asked me a few questions and explained that I could be matched with someone tomorrow or in two years, so to just hang tight.

If you've gone through a tough experience, whether it's cancer, domestic violence, loss of a loved one, or anything else at all, I hope you'll take this as an invitation to reach out and let your experience help someone else cope.  Showing there's a light at the end of the tunnel for someone else's journey can be a tremendous thing.  

Thanks for the idea, Meaghan!! 

(If you participate in my 30 Acts of Kindness by doing one of the activities, or one of your own, shoot me an email or send me a picture to share!! You don't have to do all 30 things with me, just one act of kindness makes a huge difference in the world!)  

30 Acts of Kindness: Task 1, StreetLight

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me! 

My very first "Act of Kindness" was to go and help out at StreetLight Community Outreach Ministries.  This was such a fantastic experience, and I want to give a huge shoutout to the fabulous volunteers from All Saints Church who were also there the night we went to serve, which was January 29th. 

Bonus- you get gloves to wear! How cool are we?

There is a lot going on at StreetLight, and things might seem a little chaotic/unorganized when volunteers initially arrive, but everything ends up working smoothly. 

StreetLight offers supportive housing, crisis aid, a pantry, weekly "Harvest Banquets" (this is where I went), an at-risk youth group, Thanksgiving Eve Dinner, and Children's Holiday Banquet. There are tons of opportunities for volunteering, including a need for daytime administrative help, which would be a great part-time volunteering gig for a momma with kids in school but not ready to go back to work quite yet.  The office experience would look great on a resume, and you'd be helping facilitate programs for the homeless and hungry in PWC! Love it!

The weekly "Harvest Banquets" occur each Wednesday and serve a HEARTY meal to about 125 men, women, and children.  Prince William County social workers also attend the dinner so they can ensure they are providing services and information to those that need it.  Volunteers are needed during the day to set up and cook, as well as in the evening to serve food and help clean up.  Dinner is served at 7:30 and volunteers arrive at 7.  StreetLight is housed inside Vineyard Church, which is at the corner of Route 1 and the PW Parkway. 

What's great about the Harvest Banquets is there's no age limit.  Austin (PwcDad) and I took Riley (10), Logan (7) and Savannah (5) to help, and they weren't the youngest by any stretch.  Obviously there are a lot of people coming in and out during this event, so you'll want to make sure that you have adequate adults in your family to work close beside your children, but everyone was able to have a task.  We handed out deserts, but other families with young children were assigned to pouring drinks, scooping out salads, or serving main dishes with a smile.  You can volunteer as a family, or you can sign up with your church, youth group, scout pack, or just a group of friends. We really had a great time.

Handing out cake :) Our friends from Scouts and American Heritage Girls attend All Saints and snapped a few candid shots of me working.  The tiny purple girl in front of me is Savannah.

If you'd like to help but can't attend, StreetLight keeps a list of needed items and volunteer opportunities on their website.  You can make a donation through your CFC Campaign, come to their fundraisers, or volunteer to pick up groceries. 

Thanks so Jennifer M. for the great first task! I hope that if StreetLight's mission speaks to you, you'll take the time to go volunteer, as well!

Featured Organization: Youth Outreach Services

A new non-profit organization is beginning in Prince William County that will focus on non-traditional job training.  Youth Outreach Services is run by Elizabeth Charity, who wants to help at-risk youth in Prince William County with before and after school programs, job training, and positive activities.  Through a partnership with George Mason University students, who will act as volunteer mentors, Youth Outreach Services will offer training in photography, auto detailing, and other non-traditional jobs, as well as offering a 12 week Job Readiness Program.

Currently, the organization is seeking volunteers to help with the renovation of a property that will house their program, located off the Prince William Parkway near County Center.

The organization is also seeking to reach out to adults and teens in Prince William County who might be interested in becoming involved, or, who work with at-risk youth and would like more information about their programs.  To that end, they will be hosting a "Creating Community Connections Conference" in conjunction with the Saved Hands Foundation THIS WEEKEND, January 11, 2014.  There is a $10 fee, which will cover dinner.  Attendees will include local sports figures, and entertainers.  All are welcome.  To learn more, or to get involved, please visit the event's Facebook page to RSVP.

Featured Organization Friday: Wreaths Across America

We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday with my daughter's American Heritage Girls troop.  I have to be honest and admit that I've been going to Arlington my entire life because my grandparents are buried there, but I never knew that the wreaths and flags that appear during Christmas and 4th of July/Veterans Day are put up by volunteers.

Wreaths Across America raises the funds to place wreaths on the graves of American veterans at veterans' cemeteries across the country, at sea, and 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.  Quantico is also a participating site.  Wreaths are $15, and our AHG troop actually raised money as a fundraiser, which helped our organization and helped fund the wreaths we would be going to lay.  Arlington actually has to rotate the sections that receive wreaths each year because there are not enough to go around.  This year, there was a bit of a crisis at Arlington because while wreath sponsorships were up overall, they were down at Arlington until a huge last-minute donation from Google.  (Holla at Google!)

Each year, Wreaths Across America selects a date (a Saturday) and all of the cemeteries are provided with wreaths on that day.  Truckers from across the country ship the wreaths to the sites, and volunteers come out to help lay the wreaths.  You don't have to sign up to volunteer, you can just show up the day of.  Even the tiniest kiddos can help out- as long as they're big enough to put a wreath down, or hang out in a backpack/wrap/stroller while you do.  Note that strollers looked to be a little difficult to negotiate on the wet ground today, so you might want to plan for an option that's mud-friendly depending on the weather.

We drove to Pentagon City Mall and parked, and then we took the metro to Arlington.  I actually have a parking pass that lets me into the cemetery grounds, but we were told the line to get into Arlington can be massive with people trying to park in the limited visitors center spots, so we opted to do a short metro ride instead.

So did a lot of people.  Metro was, unfortunately, doing system maintenance on the blue line, so trains were only running every 20 minutes.  They also only have a few entry/exit points at Arlington, so the bottleneck and wait to get OUT of the station was pretty intense.  It took us about 20 minutes, and the trains were standing room only coming in.  I mention this, again, as a caution to those of you with strollers :) It was actually neat that there were so many people coming to volunteer.

This was just to get off the platform, not even to exit the station.

Our group met up at 8:30 so they could get good spots for the opening ceremony at 9:30 (Note that times vary by location).  I know I'm going to frustrate someone by saying this, but I didn't find the opening ceremony all that worthwhile.  It was standing room only, so my daughter couldn't see and just wanted to get to the business at hand.  There were a few speeches, a non-sectarian prayer, the national anthem, mention of dignitaries, and then God Bless America, oh, and the Presidential Helicopter did a fly-by.  It just didn't really do anything for me.

By the time we were done with the opening ceremony, people who skipped it (I venture to say the majority) had already been putting wreaths down for a few minutes, so my daughter and I opted out of a group photo and hi-tailed it to the section my grandparents are in so that we could place their wreath.  If you have a loved one in any section, you can lay a wreath for them, and you are able to skip the line at the trucks, walk to the front and ask for a wreath for a loved one. No one will give you any trouble, and in fact, the Army volunteer who gave us our wreath thanked me for my grandfather's service to our country and thanked my daughter for coming out.  (I found that moving- I teared up a little).

That's my grandfather's stone- my grandmother is listed on the back.  Not related to this story- but she was Anna and my daughter is Savannah in her honor.

We were actually able to lay numerous wreaths because we walked back to their section.  The lines can be incredibly long at the sections closest to the entrance, and in the newest sections.  Section 60 had a line a block long.  I know a few of our friends only made it through their lines once or twice, but we actually were able to go through our line six times, getting two or three wreaths each time, depending on whether Savannah felt like carrying her own wreath or not.  They got heavy for her after awhile!

Several of our friends sponsored wreaths, and she was very thoughtful in placing wreaths for them, finding someone who had a name that started with the same first initial as one friend who donated, and finding "USMC" on stones for Marine friends who sponsored others.  Because we're an interfaith family, it was a little hard for her to understand why we weren't giving wreaths to everyone (because Daddy is Jewish and he does Christmas with us), and it's a little hard to explain that we ARE being fair to everyone by honoring their traditions, even if it seems unfair that "everyone isn't getting one".  However, after a talking for awhile, she finally got it, and we did make a point of stopping at graves marked with a Star of David and reading the names and inscriptions as a way of honoring those veterans, too.  One of my favorite things about Arlington is the beauty of all the white stones, all the different ranks, branches, and faiths, all together peacefully at rest.  I hope that she understood a little of that, although I know it's a big concept for a Kindergartner!

There is a closing ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at noon, which I hear was very beautiful, but Savannah was exhausted, so we opted to head back home at around 11.

If you would like to get involved with Wreaths Across America, you can visit their website to sponsor wreaths or find volunteer information for next year's wreath placement.  You can also get involved this year by helping to remove wreaths, clean up at Arlington takes place in January, and you can email the site leader for details or to get involved.  I hear that clean-up is not nearly as well attended, and it would still be a very easy job for even little hands.

Did you attend, or have you attended in the past? Leave your tips or advice in the comments.

Volunteering With Your Kids

I get a lot of requests for volunteer opportunities for kids/with kids, and that makes my heart so happy.  You guys are awesome.

Shout out to Volunteer Prince William for helping me with this list!! Please go like their facebook page (that's what the link is to) for more updates on volunteer opportunities in the county!!

From VPW:
 Our good friends at Habitat for Humanity are always looking for volunteers to make or buy lunch for their volunteers. Lunch donors have made bagged lunches, grilled hot dogs on site, brought deli trays, donated money, and even had pizza delivered! Please contact Tiffanie at tlampasona@habitiatpwc.org or 703-369-6708.

New Creatures in Christ Ministries Food Pantry in Woodbridge needs volunteers to help Tuesday evenings 5-7pm and Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am-2pm. Teen volunteers are very welcome. Please call Josephine at (703) 409-3022 for more info.

Habitat for Humanity has the perfect job for youth clubs! They need volunteers to hang door hangers around the community to educate us all on their super programs. It’s a fun job, gets us out in the fresh air and all for great cause. Please call Tiffanie at (703) 369-6708.

 Keep Prince William Beautiful is gearing up for the Fall Cleanup Campaign.  Volunteers from communities and HOA’s just need to pick your day and Keep Prince William Beautiful will provide all the supplies for the day including grabbers, vests, gloves, trash bags and landfill vouchers. All you need is the manpower. Please call Anna at (571) 285-3772 to schedule your event.

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to ring the bell at various stores throughout the community. Come as a single volunteer for a 2 hour shift or bring your friends and colleagues. The Red Kettle program runs from November 9th – December 24th. Please call Catie at (571) 580-8995 to learn more.

Hey scouts and teens- ACTS would love your help in securing recycled grocery bags for their food pantry. Look around your school or neighborhood to collect this valuable little item so families in need have proper bags to take their groceries home. You can drop them off at the ACTS Pantry or call Robin at (703) 441-8606 ext. 213 for more info


Other Great Resources:
Check out the PWSPCA- we'll have a Featured Organization Friday on them this week, and they also run a Pet Food Pantry you can collect items for.  It's also a great place to take any unopened items (either because Fido didn't like that flavor or because Fluffy passed away and you just purchased a new bag of food) to get them off your shelves. 

SERVE of Manassas has various opportunities available: jhawkins@nvfs.org

ACTS of Prince William County can frequently take family groups, or can help you set up a project for your youth or scout group!! Email rsheedy@actspwc.org. 

Relay for Life isn't until the Spring, but you can get involved and start fundraising and prepping your group now!! It's an overnight event, but groups set up tents and sleeping bags, so when younger (or older) members get tired, they can snag a nap! 

Seasonal Resources:

Send out cards for those serving overseas.  Cards must be in by December 6th, 2013, so hop on it!! Mail your cards to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456 Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Project Untrim a Tree helps to provide a happy holiday for children who might not otherwise receive gifts.  UTAT is run by Volunteer Prince William.  Take your kids out shopping with you to pick out gifts for another child!! Fill out a donor form here. 


You can also participate in a similar program through the Salvation Army called "Angel Tree".  You can find the trees with requests in Potomac Mills Mall November 22-December 11 or in Manassas Mall during the same dates. 

For either program, please be sure you return the gift you select so that no child is forgotten!! 



Finally, don't forget our local nursing homes/assisted living facilities!! They love little visitors!

Are we missing your favorite? Leave a comment with details on where you like to volunteer!! 

Featured Organization Friday: Keep Prince William Beautiful

Helping Our Kids to Love The Environment

By Keep Prince William Beautiful, www.kpwb.org

It is essential to the future of our planet and to the future of our young people that they learn to value our natural resources. Therefore, providing opportunities for our youth to learn about and care for our environment becomes a vital step towards maintaining and protecting our planet. With America Recycles Day around the corner (November 15), below are some free and fun ideas to turn loving the environment into family fun!

Things to do inside

1.     Make a game of conserving resources

a.     Flip that Switch! Have you kids practice turning the light switch on and off.  Put glow in the dark stickers on the light switch so that kids look forward to turning the light off when they leave the room.  Placing a portable stool near the light switch will help children that can’t reach the switch on their own.

b.     Beat the Ding! Use a timer in the bathroom and challenge your kids to beat the ding by cutting their shower and tooth brushing time to be complete before the timer sounds off.  Make it a whole house competition by tracking who is the fastest each week.

2.     Read environmental books at story-time.  

The following books, and MANY MORE,  are available through the Prince William County Library System:

a.     Crinkleroot's guide to giving back to nature By: Arnosky, Jim. 

b.     Katie saves the Earth By: Manushkin, Fran. 

c.     Recycle! : a handbook for kids   By: Gibbons, Gail.

3.     Checkout some of these safe online resources for games and activities.

a.     http://www.wasteinplace.org

b.     http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U12qiau3DaQ (a PWC video)

c.     http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/

4.     Take THE PLEDGE to recycle: http://www.americarecyclesday.org/take-the-pledge

Things to do outside

1.     Organize a community cleanup.  http://www.kpwb.org/Community-Cleanups.html

2.     Adopt-a- Spot http://www.kpwb.org/Adopt-A-Spot.html

3.     Carry a plastic bag on walks, pick up litter along the way.  Keep track of the types of items collected and discuss better ways to dispose of these items and/or how to decrease these types of waste. http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/images/data_form_volunteer_icc.pdf

Things to do on the go!

1.     Carry reusable containers when traveling to cut back on disposables that will increase landfill waste. 

2.     Create a car recycling bag to ensure recyclables make it home and into the curbside bin.

3.     Spot That LITTER! Write down the intersection or address where you see litter in Prince William County and email KPWB at info@kpwb.org.  Snap a few photos and send those along to help KPWB evaluate the level of litter for cleanup needs.

4.     Join KPWB on a Litter Survey by riding along with other volunteers in a van to grade the litter situation in Prince William County.  Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. http://www.kpwb.org/Litter-Surveys.html

5.     Remember your reusable shopping bags.  

*BONUS – sign up to volunteer with KPWB at PWC Recycles Day (or any event where we are present with a booth) and receive a free KPWB tote.

ABOUT KPWB

Keep Prince William Beautiful (KPWB) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit environmental organization that serves Prince William County. With a focus on partnering with residents, businesses and government, KPWB aims to educate and inspire residents to be environmental stewards in order to keep Prince William beautiful.

Currently KPWB has seven programs with volunteer opportunities. Many programs have ongoing volunteer opportunities for groups and families of various sizes and ages. No matter what program a volunteer chooses to pursue, ALL of  these great programs have a lasting effect on keeping Prince William Beautiful.

Along with the ongoing programs and volunteer opportunities through KPWB, fun events and opportunities to assist KPWB present themselves throughout the different months of the year.

Specifically, in the month of October, KPWB is having a fundraiser through the restaurant, Not Your Average Joe’s, in Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge, Prince William County.  Every TUESDAY throughout October KPWB will receive 15% of your purchase when you mention you are there for the cause and KPWB.

As already mentioned by an earlier PWC Moms’ blog post, Prince William County Recycles Day and Paper Shred is taking place on Saturday, October 19^th, 10 am – 2 pm at the Landfill (14811 Dumfries Road, Manassas). KPWB, along with its current staff, volunteers, and Celebrity “Buster Bear” will be present and taking part in all of the fun expected for this event. If you’re planning on attending Recycles Day, definitely stop by and meet your friendly Prince William County environmental non-profit, KPWB!

Keep Prince William Beautiful 4391 Ridgewood Center Drive, Suite F,  Prince William, VA 22192

info@kpwb.org  *  http://www.kpwb.org