Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, April 24 and May 8, from 5 p.m. to dusk, at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.
Because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. (The inspection may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather). Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.
Drug Take-Back On April 26
People wanting to get rid of prescription or non-prescription drugs in a safe way may bring them to the Sully District Police Station on Drug Take-Back Day. It’ll be Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., in the lobby of the station at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. People are asked to scratch out any personal information on the bottles and boxes. This event is completely anonymous, with no questions asked.
International Celebration
Celebrating the community’s cultural diversity, the Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF) presents the Centreville International Showcase. A lighthearted evening of music, dance, food and friendship is slated for Saturday, April 26, from 6-9:30 p.m., at Centreville United Methodist Church.
The church is at 6400 Old Centreville Road in Centreville, and the festivities will take place in the gym. The event includes food for sale from Guatemala, El Salvador, Korea and other countries, plus entertainment, a 50-50 raffle and a silent auction. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted to help support the CIF and the Centreville Labor Resource Center.
Recycle During Electric Sunday
Residents may recycle old TVs, computers, peripheral electronic devices – such as keyboards, speakers, printers and scanners, as well as household hazardous wastes – including fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, for free, during Fairfax County’s “Electric Sunday” events. The next one is slated for Sunday, April 27, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road in Fairfax. For more information, call 703-324-5052.
Fair Oaks CAC Tours Shelter
The Citizens Advisory Council of the Fair Oaks District Police Station will meet Tuesday, April 29, at 7 p.m., at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, 4500 West Ox Road in Fairfax to tour the newly renovated shelter.
Chantilly High’s 40th Birthday
Chantilly High will celebrate its 40th birthday on Friday, May 2, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., and the community’s invited to come and join the festivities. There’ll be school tours, exhibits of current programs (near the tennis courts), Chantilly trivia, sports accomplishments and desserts – birthday cake and other treats – near the football stadium.
Rotary’s Electronics Recycling Day
The Rotary Club of Centreville & Chantilly is holding its first annual Electronics Recycling Day on Saturday May 3, from 8 a.m.-noon, in the parking lot of United Bank, 6375 Multiplex Drive in Centreville. It’s being done in partnership with the bank and Prime Recycling Group.
Bring computers, cell phones, laptops, printers, DVD players, ink cartridges, cables and wires, small household appliances, etc. The event will allow residents to safely recycle old electronics, and the local Rotary Club will benefit by receiving a portion of the proceeds earned from selling the recyclable material.
That money goes toward funding several of the club’s local and international projects. These include an annual scholarship to a student at Mountain View High School, adoption of needy families during the holiday season, road cleanup efforts, sponsorship of a Shelter Box to provide emergency assistance to families displaced by war or famine throughout the world, and Rotary’s signature international project – supplying funds for organizations providing desperately needed medical and sanitation facilities to a community in Haiti.
Get Trained For Emergencies
A new CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) class will begin Monday, May 5, at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy, 4600 West Ox Road in Fairfax. It’ll meet every Monday, from 7-10:30 p.m., (except for May 26) and will end June 23. Those interested must first register as volunteers at www.fairfaxcert.com to receive registration information. Anyone with questions should email fire.cert@fairfaxcounty.gov.
CERT helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. Then they can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members may also help with non-emergency projects that help improve community safety and preparedness.
Food Donations For WFCM
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry urgently needs donations of Ramen Noodles, spaghetti sauce, fruit juice, canned vegetables (no green beans), cooking oil; canned pasta, sugar, flour and canned fruit and meat. Also needed are diapers in sizes 5 and 6, toothpaste, deodorant and baby wipes. (WFCM clients cannot purchase toiletries with food stamps).
Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry, weekdays, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at 13888 Metrotech Drive, near Papa John’s Pizza and Kumon Learning Center, in Chantilly’s Sully Place Shopping Center.
Thrift-store needs include spring and summer clothing, quality shoes and like-new houseware. The store is at 13939 Metrotech Drive. In addition, Thrift Store volunteers are needed for two-hour shifts Saturdays, anytime between 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Personal Trainer Is Needed
The Sully Senior Center, at 5690 Sully Road in Centreville, needs a certified personal trainer – preferably, one with experience working with older adults – for one hour, two days a week. For these and other volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on Volunteer Solutions.
Drive Seniors To Appointments
Fairfax County needs volunteers to drive older adults to medical appointments and wellness programs. Call 703-324-5406, TTY 711, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and link to Volunteer Solutions or email VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Meals on Wheels Volunteers
Fairfax County needs Meals on Wheels drivers in Chantilly and group Meals on Wheels coordinators in both Chantilly and Fairfax. Contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 711, VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm
How to Help The CLRC
The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) needs volunteers to lead vocational training workshops to increase the workers’ job skills. A Wednesday morning ESOL instructor is also needed; contact Molly Maddra at coordinator@centrevilleLRC.org for more information.
In addition, end-of-year contributions to CLRC may be made at www.centrevilleimmigrationforum.org. The organization is supported totally by grants and donations; it receives no government funding.
Long-Term Care Advocates
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteer advocates for residents in assisted living and nursing facilities. Training is provided in March. Call 703-324-5861, TTY 711 or email Lisa.Callahan@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Give Caregivers A Break
Fairfax County needs Respite Care volunteers throughout the county to give family caregivers of a frail older adult a well-deserved break. Volunteers visit and oversee the safety of the older adult for a few hours each month. Volunteers are matched with families in or near their own neighborhoods. Support and training is provided. Contact Kristin Martin at 703-324-7577, TTY 711, or Kristin.Martin@fairfaxcounty.gov.
How to Hire CLRC Workers
The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) serves businesses and homeowners needing help with just about any home remodeling or maintenance project. And local residents who’d like to hire a worker from the CLRC may do so easily. Either call 703-543-6272 or go to www.centrevilleLRC.org and click on the “How to Hire” link. Tell what kind of work is required, how many workers are needed and when.
The CLRC will match the needs to its registered workers’ skills and set up the job. The price for work will be negotiated. After the job is completed, employers are encouraged to provide the CLRC with feedback to ensure that the work was done well and to their satisfaction and to make sure the workers are fairly paid.
Women's Self Defense
The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation is partnering with the Fairfax County Police Department to offer the Women's Self Defense Training program. It’s based on the SAFE program formerly provided by the Police Department, but now being taught by C&J Security Corp.
The program is a two-day class that will meet on consecutive Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15-9:30 p.m. It’s currently offered free and all class materials are included. Program funding is provided through the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation.
The course is offered to females, age 13 and older. A female guardian must accompany girls 13-18. No men other than the instructors are permitted to be present during a class. For more information, call 703-246-7806, e-mail WSD@fairfaxfoundation.org or go to www.fairfaxfoundation.org.