WAHMfest (the Work at Home Moms Expo) has teamed up with home-based businesses and local merchants to create Help a Spouse Care Baskets. Each basket includes a variety of items, including body wash and body sponge, a scented candle, hand cream, chocolates and other "relaxation" items. The public is encouraged to nominate a military spouse for a care basket by visiting www.wahmfest.org/helpaspouse or by calling 703-926-8576. As funds are raised for each basket, a new name will be randomly drawn and the basket will be sent to the winner.
Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is offering an optional informational sessions for anyone interested in learning how to help abused and neglected children in the Fairfax County court system. Sessions will be held Wednesday, Jan. 13 and Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 7-8:30 p.m. CASA is accepting applications and interviewing potential volunteers for the spring training session set for March 2 at 4103 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200, Fairfax. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Call 703-273-3526. Visit www.casafairfax.org.
Reston Association is sponsoring a trail and open space clean-up program called "Adopt-A-Spot." It is modeled after the federal and state highway adoption program focused on litter pickup. The Association has many sites that have been adopted by groups, families, individuals and local businesses throughout the community. If interested, contact Ha Brock, volunteer coordinator at 703-435-7986 or e-mail habrock@reston.org.
Reston Dogs is seeking volunteers and members to join the organization which oversees the Baron Cameron Off Leash Dog Area. Volunteers assure that pick-up bags and water are supplied, that overlooked waste is picked up, large waste barrels are emptied and that county regulations are enforced. Call 703-400-4460 or visit www.restondogs.org.
Fairfax County General Court Services is seeking volunteers and interns to assist in the Fairfax County General District Court performing administrative tasks. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and successfully pass a criminal background investigation. To request an application, call Lorraine Lottahall, volunteer/intern coordinator, for an application at 703-246-4760 or e-mail lorraine.lottahall@fairfaxcounty.
ReSource Therapy Associates, Inc. sponsors a Pet Loss Support Group for people experiencing grief after the loss of an animal. Sessions will be held every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. at ReSource Therapy Associates, Inc., 11864 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 101, Reston.
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking volunteers for nursing homes or assisted living facilities in their community which they visit weekly. Listening, observing and mediating, the ombudsman works with the residents, their families and the facility staff to ensure that residents' rights are protected. Applicants must successfully complete training and must be available to volunteer four hours per week during regular business hours. Anyone interested who is not employed by a long-term care facility and can commit one year to working as an Ombudsman should call 703-324-5435. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ombudsman.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training is recruiting volunteers to train for marathons and races in support of local cancer patients. For more information, call 703-960-1100 or visit www.teamintraining.org.
Inova Blood Donor Services conducts community blood drives on a regular basis. Donating takes about one hour. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health for three days prior to donating. Call Inova Blood Donor Services at 703-208-7000.
The NOVA Career Development Network invites those seeking jobs or career transitions to participate in a weekly networking and job support group. The group meets Tuesday mornings from 10:45 a.m.-noon at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, 1625 Wiehle Ave. Call Roy Seabolt at 571-263-1430 or e-mail rseabolt@cox.net for more information. Visit www.communitylink.allnva.com/groups/novacdn.
Three Wishes Program makes power wheelchairs available to senior citizens (65 years and up) and the permanently disabled with no cost to the recipient if they qualify. The power wheelchairs are provided to those who cannot walk and cannot self-propel a manual wheelchair in their home, and who meet the additional guidelines of the program. No deposit is required. Call 800-451-0971 for more information.
Individuals age 50 and above looking for permanent employment are encouraged to call Senior Employment Resources at 703-750-1936, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., for an interview.
The Northern Virginia Family Service needs foster families for abused and neglected children. African-American families are particularly needed. Help is needed in both full-time and short-term programs. Training, support and financial compensation will be provided. For more information about the Northern Virginia Family Service, call 703-533-9727 or e-mail smcallister@nvfs.org.
The Naomi Project needs volunteers to serve as mentors for high risk pregnant women. The women are referred from the Fairfax Hospital, Health Department, Human Services and private physicians. Volunteers give about one hour per week, determined by the client's needs and volunteer's availability. There is a special need for Spanish-speaking volunteers. Call 703-860-2633 or visit naomiproject.homestead.com.