CarFit Event June 27
The Sully District Police Station will host a CarFit event on Friday, June 27, from 1-3 p.m. It’s a program designed to help older drivers find out how well they currently fit their vehicles. The program highlights actions they can take to improve their fit and greatly increase not only their safety, but the safety of others.
CarFit is voluntary and confidential, and CarFit staff won’t make any changes to the vehicle, but might recommend some adjustments be made. No appointment is necessary, but the event will be cancelled in case of inclement weather exists. The Sully District Station is at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
Host a WFCM Food Drive
WFCM needs the community’s help over the summer months when it has a critical shortage of food. “For instance, of the 24 schools that we serve, one has over 900 students who count on free and reduced lunches during the school year,” said WFCM Community Outreach Manager Jennie Bush. “This creates a financial strain on families looking for food help.”
But she said local residents can make a tremendous difference by hosting a food drive with their sports team, camp, swim team or place of employment. To arrange a food drive for WFCM, contact the organization’s summer intern, Annie Cecil, at intern@wfcmva.org.
2014 Fairfax 50+ Plan
Fairfax County projects a dramatic increase in its older population. Between 2005 and 2030, the county expects the 50-and-over population to increase by 40 percent and the 70-and-over population by 88 percent. So the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, together with the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging and local residents, has been working with the community to create the 2014 Fairfax 50+ Plan.
What’s proposed is at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/fairfax50plus.htm under the topic headings of Safety & Health, Housing, Transportation, Community Engagement, Services for Older Adults & Caregivers, and Long-Range Planning & Trends Analysis. Comments may be emailed to DFSCommunity@fairfaxcounty.gov until June 30.
Food Donations for WFCM
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry urgently needs donations of canned vegetables (no green beans), vegetable oil; dry pasta, flour, canned fruit and meat, white or brown rice (1- or 2-lb. bags), cold cereal, pancake mix, powdered and evaporated milk. Also needed are toilet paper, diapers, shampoo 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, food-pantry volunteers are needed Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m. Contact Annette Bosley at 703-988-9656, ext. 110, or abosley@wfcmva.org.
Citizens Police Academy
People interested in law enforcement and who’d like to learn about the Fairfax County Police Department and meet many of those who serve in it may now do so. They may apply to join the Sept. 11-Nov. 15 session of the Citizens Police Academy. It’s a free, 10-week program put on by the Police Department and is open to people who live or work in this county.
Participants complete some 40 hours of learning to gain a better understanding of and appreciation for police via a combination of lectures, tours and hands-on activities. Topics covered include the 911 Call Center, patrol, traffic stops, Adult Detention Center, gangs, financial crimes and SWAT team.
To apply, go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/services/citizens-police-academy.htm or email CPA@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, July 17, 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Women's Self Defense Program
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.