Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
LINK, an organization that provides emergency food for those in need, is seeking volunteers to assist with holiday food baskets. Spanish interpreter volunteers are needed as well. Contact VolunteerCoordinator@LINKInc.us or call 703-437-1776.
The Community Holiday Coalition’s "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" program is gearing up for its 12th annual Thanksgiving and December holiday stores. For the past 11 years, the coalition has successfully coordinated a program that helps Loudoun families have a brighter holiday season. The Thanksgiving and Christmas stores are expecting to assist more than 1,000 Loudoun families in need, including more than 2,000 children. This year's program will once again be held at the Dulles Trade Center, 23430 Rock Haven Way in Sterling, off of Route 606, Old Ox Road.
There are also numerous collection sites throughout the county that will be collecting items for the holiday stores. A complete list of the collection sites is available on the coalition's Web site: www.loudoun.gov; click "Holiday Coaltion" under "Hot Topics" on the homepage. Volunteers can call 703-737-8367 or e-mail: holidayvolunteers@loudoun.gov to sign up to help at one or both of the holiday stores.
Loudoun Volunteer Services is seeking nominations for outstanding student volunteers, to be recognized as Student Volunteer of the Month. The qualifying student, or group of students, must be enrolled in Loudoun County public, private or home school, grades kindergarten through 12th grade. Nominees must demonstrate contributions to the Loudoun County community through exceptional volunteer service. Visit www.loudoun.gov/pio/volunteer.htm or call 703-777-0113. Send nominations to Loudoun Volunteer Services Board, Student Recognition Committee, MSC 03, 1 Harrison St., S.E., Leesburg, VA 20175; by fax at 703-771-5841 or by e-mailing pivs@loudoun.gov.
The Loudoun Museum is seeking a number of dedicated volunteers to make this year’s 16th annual Hauntings event a success. Each year, costumed guides lead visitors through downtown Leesburg’s historic, and reportedly haunted, sites. This year’s walking tours will be Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 from 6-10 p.m. The museum needs volunteers in all areas of the event. Call Beth Friedmann, museum administrator, at 703-777-7427 or e-mail bfriedmann@loudounmuseum.org.
Loudoun Volunteer Services (LVS) is seeking volunteers for Make a Difference Day, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Make a Difference Day is an annual event that takes place nationally on the fourth Saturday of every October. This year’s local event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 27. LVS has again selected the Holiday Coalition as its service project and needs volunteers to help collect household items to be distributed during the holidays. Baskets will need to be delivered on Oct. 27 to the Holiday Coalition, 23430 Rock Haven Way, Dulles, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. "This is a great way for families, neighborhoods, youth groups, clubs, religious organizations, businesses, etc. to get involved," said Carol Barbe, Chair of the Volunteer Recruitment and Recognition Committee of the LVS Board of Directors. Call Lisa Rose, Volunteer Coordinator at 703-777-0113 or e-mail pivs@loudoun.gov.
The Center for Multicultural Human Services is seeking volunteer mentors for our IPE Gang Intervention and Prevention Program throughout Northern Virginia. Mentors in this program are volunteers who provide youth with support, friendship, reinforcement and constructive example. Activities may include but are not limited to career exploration, life skills development, going to sports, entertainment or cultural events, or tutoring. Contact Ellen Klene 703-533-3302, Ext. 107 or eklene@cmhs.org.
Loudoun Volunteer Services' volunteer-match Web site is aimed at both volunteers, who are seeking to find opportunities best suited for their particular interest or skill, and organizations seeking a way to publicly advertise their volunteer opportunities. To register for this free service, visit www.loudoun.gov/pio/volunteer.htm and click on "register your organization's volunteer opportunities," or to volunteer click on "looking for volunteer opportunities." Contact Lisa Rose at 703-777-0113.
The Wingler House lunch program is looking for volunteers to serve a hot, nutritious meal and the gift of friendship to older adults at the Ashburn senior living facility. E-mail debra.bressler@loudoun.gov or call Debra Bressler at 703-777-0257.
There are currently vacancies for representatives on various county and regional advisory boards, commissions and committees. For information about specific vacancies, contact Cherie Giles, Board of Supervisors, 703-771-5034 or by e-mail at Cherie.Giles@loudoun.gov. Information about each board, committee and commission is available on the Loudoun County Government Web site at www.loudoun.gov/advisory.
ESL and Immigrant Ministries needs volunteers to teach English as a second language to adult immigrants in 16 locations in Northern Virginia. Training is provided. Day and evening classes begin in September. For an application, visit http://www.eslim.org or send email to eslim02@gmail.com or call 703-271-8341, Ext. 3, and leave a message.
The George C. Marshall International Center is seeking volunteers to work two four-hour shifts per month in the book shop at Dodona Manor, the home of Gen. George C. Marshall in historic Leesburg. Duties include greeting visitors, handling ticket sales and small gift purchases. Contact Janet VanderVaart at Dodona Manor by e-mail at jvandervaart@georgecmarshall.org or by phone at 703-777-1301 for information regarding a short orientation/training meeting.
The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy (LWC), an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, is seeking volunteers to serve as leaders in its local community for the protection of wildlife and their natural habitats. LWC offers programs, classes and field trips for individuals and groups. Key initiatives include public education and local advocacy. To volunteer, call 540-882-9638; send correspondence to Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, P.O. Box 2088, Purcellville, VA 20134; or visit www.loudounwildlife.org.
Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice and the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter are in need of volunteers. All volunteers are required to complete an application that can be found on the Web site at www.lcsj.org and a 30-hour training to be offered September-October. Contact Hannah Lindsay at 703-771-9020.
The ASPECT Foundation is looking for families to host foreign exchange students for the upcoming school year. The students come from around the world to study. Contact Robert Rawls at 703-433-0362.
Host families are needed for eight young musicians from Venezuela from September to December. The musicians, all high-school graduates, who will be interning with the Virginia Conservatory of Music. Call 703-728-2589, e-mail info@ymppa.org or visit www.ymppa.org.
Potomac Blood Services Region is seeking youth to work as volunteer ambassadors at blood operations this summer. Teens 14 years or older are offered the opportunity to earn service learning credits and develop job skills by assisting the blood collections staff. Training is provided at American Red Cross offices in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Montgomery County, Prince William County, and Washington, D.C. To register for training, call the American Red Cross Volunteer Office at 1-800-272-0094, Ext. 1 or e-mail karlofft@usa.redcross.org.