<lst>The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia is looking for volunteers to become tutors to teach adults in the Basic Literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring programs. Volunteers are also needed to assist as ESL class aides and computer lab aides. Basic Literacy tutor training begins Saturday, Oct. 18 and ESL training begins Wednesday, Nov. 5. For more information about adult literacy or to sign up for a training session, call the Literacy Council at 703-575-7900, send an e-mail to volunteers@lcnv.org or access their Web site at www.lcnv.org.
The STAR (Saturdays Toward an Academic Rise) tutoring program needs adult and high school volunteers to tutor students from the Hayfield pyramid, grades four through 12, in math, reading/language arts, social studies and Spanish. Hayfield is in the Springfield area, and the sessions run from Oct. 18 until the end of March. Tutors meet with one to three students from 9 to 10:30 a.m. twice a month. No experience is necessary; the program provides training and supplemental materials. Contact Leslie Rodriguez at leslierodriguez@fcps.edu or 703-924-7444.
United Community Ministries needs front desk receptionists. Current openings include Friday afternoon, 12:30-4 p.m., or any afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. To volunteer or for more information, call Cecelia Vergaretti at 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
United Community Ministries' Saturday tutoring program needs a driver every Saturday from October to June to pick up children and take them home. UCM can provide the vehicle. To volunteer or for more information, call Cecelia Vergaretti at 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
Join Good Shepherd Housing at Austin Grill. On Monday, Nov. 3, come out and support Good Shepherd Housing and get a great meal. Austin Grill Springfield, located at 8430 Old Keene Mill Road, will be donating 50 percent of all sales generated by supporters of Good Shepherd Housing. Dine at the Austin Grill for dinner on Nov. 3, sign the back of your check and write Good Shepherd Housing.
Project SUCCESS is seeking donations for items to put into transition bags for children who are moving from home into the foster care system without notice. The transition bags are canvas bags filled with items for girls and boys ages newborn to 18. All donated items must be new. Items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, school supplies, paperback books, key chains, pajamas, underwear and socks, small stuffed animals and toiletries will help make the transition easier for all. These bags will are filled and given to the Fairfax County Family Services Adoption and Foster Care programs. Individuals who would like to make donations or have collected items for this effort should call Mary Wolf at 703-425-6240. TTY 703-222-9693.
Volunteers are needed to man booths, lead games and be entertainers and food servers for Project SUCCESS' Oct. 25 Fall Festival at Washington Irving Middle School. Chaperones are also needed for the Oct. 17 Teen Dance at Robinson High School. Those interested in volunteering can contact Mary Wolf, Project SUCCESS coordinator, at 703-425-6240, or via e-mail at Mpwolf421@aol.com.
The Knights of Columbus is having a dinner to benefit UCM on Saturday, Nov., 8, 5:30-10:30 p.m. Food servers are needed for this event. Interested persons should call Tracy Davis at 703-768-7106, ext. 328.
Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO) is selling the 2004 entertainment coupon book. Entertainment books cost $35, and $7 of that amount goes directly to ECHO. The books include 50 percent off and two-for-one offers on hundreds of dining, hotel, recreation, shopping and other expenses, including savings on airline tickets, rental cars and much more. The book is available for more than 160 cities coast-to-coast. Entertainment book sales will raise money to buy food and winter coats for persons and families in need in the Springfield and Burke communities, and to assist them in paying bills for essential needs, especially housing, utilities and medical problems. Books are available now and may be used immediately and through Nov. 1, 2004. Books can be picked up at ECHO at 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, whenever ECHO is open for business. Phone 703-569-9160 or 703-451-7955 for hours or for more information.
Glory Days Grill of Northern Virginia will be hosting Give-Back Days for FACETS, a nonprofit organization celebrating 15 years of assisting homeless and low-income children and adults in Fairfax County, for a three-month period. Every Monday through Thursday until Nov. 3, 4 p.m. until closing, Glory Days Grill will donate 10 percent of the proceeds for every diner who turns in their guest receipt to their server and asks that it go toward the FACETS effort. Locations include Burke Town Plaza, 9526 Old Keene Mill Road in Burke, and Pan Am Shopping Center, 3059 Nutley Street in Fairfax, among others. Receipts can also be collected and sent to the FACETS office by Nov. 4. The address is 10565 Lee Highway, Suite 10, Fairfax, VA 22030. Learn more at www.FacetsCares.org.
The Jewish Social Service Agency of Metropolitan Washington is seeking part-time drivers to transport frail elders and individuals with disabilities to and from medical appointments in Northern Virginia. Drivers will be provided with a car and paid an hourly rate. For more information, contact Diane Hays-Earp at JSSA, 301-816-2689.
Adult volunteers are needed at Heatherwood Retirement Community in Burke for evening and weekend outings with residents. Commitment of one to two hours per month is requested. Call Jan at 703-425-1698.
Ann Hickenbotham, a senior Girl Scout from Kings Park West, is beginning to work on her Gold Award for scouting. The Gold Award is similar to the Eagle Scout award for Boy Scouting. As a former member of the Ridge Ropers jump-rope team from Laurel Ridge Elementary School, Ann's project will continue the Ridge Ropers' traditions of performing at local nursing homes for the elderly patients. Ann will coordinate several jump-rope performances for her project with the help of old members from the Ridge Ropers and new volunteers from Kings Park West. Ann is looking for elementary and middle school students who are interested in learning to jump-rope. No experience at all is required. There will be approximately five practices in September and October, which will be followed by 3-4 performances in November and December. For more information, call Ann Hickenbotham at 703-764-9380.
United Community Ministries needs tutors to work with elementary age children. Spanish is helpful but not required. Spanish speaking volunteers are needed to help adult Hispanic clients with resume writing. Contact: Sue Kelley, volunteer program manager at United Community Ministries, 703-768-7106, ext. 326. For more information, visit www.ucmagency.org.
Help preschool children with motor skills, music or art activities. Join United Community Ministries' qualified team of teachers in meeting the early childhood needs of young children at UCM's Bryant Early Learning Center. Morning and afternoon volunteers are sought. Contact: Cecelia Vergaretti, Volunteer Program Manager, 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
Haven of Northern Virginia, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, needs volunteers to provide emotional supply ill, the dying and their friends and families. Volunteers must be available during weekdays and must be able to commit to a minimum of two and a half hours a week for phone duty for at least one year. Training is provided and will be offered in September. Volunteers are also needed for clerical duties, graphic design, grant writing, program analysis, information systems, fund-raising and building and grounds upkeep. For information, call Haven at 703-941-7000. Haven is located at 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Visit www.havenofnova.org or e-mail info@havenofnova.org.
Volunteer English instructors are needed to teach Adult English as a Second Language with Hogar Hispano of Catholic Charities. Training provided, no second language required. Classes meet evenings and weekends and begin in September throughout Northern Virginia. Call for information at 703-534-9805, Ext. 222 or visit www.ccda.net/hogar_hispano.html.
Regular, weekly volunteers are needed at United Community Ministries' Back Porch Thrift Store. Especially Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Hours 10 a.m-5 p.m. Contact: Cecelia Vergaretti, Volunteer Program Manager, 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
United Community Ministries is seeking donations of the following items: all types of foods, juices, diapers in all sizes, formulas such as Enfamil with Iron, feminine hygiene products, single-pack applesauce, all products that can be eaten out of packages without storage or cooking, toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs and brushes, small shampoos, cereal, bus tokens for basic-needs clients, gas station vouchers with designated amounts on them for basic-needs clients. Help UCM by donating any of the above items. Donations can be made through a church or community organization or drop off donations at 7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria, Monday-Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. UCM can schedule pickups for donations of food by churches or other organizations. Contact Cecelia Vergaretti, 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
HCV is seeking adults to work one-on-one with sixth through eighth grade Hispanic students throughout the school year. Mentors help students with school work and offer friendship and advice. Volunteer with "Alianza Escolar" and help change a child's life. Contact Margarita Kay at 703-671-5666, Ext. 136, or e-mail Education_hcv@yahoo.com.
Volunteer Fairfax has been mobilizing people and resources to meet regional community needs in Fairfax since 1975. As population grows so does the need for new volunteers. To learn about volunteer opportunities in the area, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org or call 703-246-3460.