Help with Toys for Tots
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is participating in this year’s Annual National Capital Region Fire and EMS Departments’ 2016 Toys for Tots Campaign. The intent of the campaign is to “bring holiday joy and deliver a message of hope to children.”
Last year, thanks to the generosity of those who live and work in Fairfax County, the Fire and Rescue Department collected more than 13,000 toys.
Children who are served by this campaign include toddlers and youths through age 17. The campaign will only accept new unwrapped toys and they can be dropped off at any of fire and rescue station. Toys used as weapons or considered to be weapons (i.e., toy guns or knives of any kind) will not be accepted. Checks or money orders for donations must be made payable to Toys for Tots.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue stations will accept donations through Friday, Dec. 16.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Tuesday, Dec. 20, from 5-8:30 p.m., 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. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.
Talking about Public Schools
School Board members Tom Wilson, Sully District; Ryan McElveen, At Large; Jeanette Hough, At Large; and Ilryong Moon, At Large, have confirmed that they will be attending the next Sully District Council meeting at 7 p.m., Dec. 21, at the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly. The public is invited to attend.
Apply for Citizens’ Police Academy
Interested in learning more about local law enforcement? The Citizens’ Police Academy (CPA) is designed to give participants a look behind the badge and to provide information about training, policies, and all the different units and divisions within the Fairfax County Police Department.
Applications are now being accepted for the spring session. The academy is a 10-week educational program that is free of charge for anyone who lives or works in Fairfax County. The spring session will run from March 16 – May 20, 2017. Classes will be held on Thursday nights from 6:30-10 p.m., except the last class, that will be on Saturday, May 20, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The class locations will rotate to our various police facilities, giving residents a look at all the different areas we cover in Fairfax County.
Class size is limited to 40 participants all of whom are required to undergo a background check. Applicants should submit their application no later than Dec. 15. Applications may be sent to cpa@fairfaxcounty.gov or Fairfax County Police Department Citizens Police Academy I/C Operations Support Bureau 3911 Woodburn Road Annandale, VA 22003.
Food Donations for WFCM
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry needs donations of 1-2 pound bags of rice; fruit juice; jelly; red, white or black beans (can or bagged); canned vegetables (no green beans of corn needed); macaroni and cheese; can pasta; pasta sauce; and pasta (spaghetti, rotini, elbow, etc.).
Toiletries needed, which WFCM clients cannot purchase with food stamps, include diapers, toothpaste, shampoo and solid deodorant.
Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry’s new location at 4511 Daly Dr. Suite J, Chantilly from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
Contact Terri Kelly at tkelly@wfcmva.org if willing to coordinate a food drive.
Volunteer Drivers Are Needed
Fairfax County needs volunteers to drive older adults to medical appointments and wellness programs. For these and other volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406 or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on Volunteer Solutions.
Interested in Citizen Corps Council?
There is an opening for a Sully resident to serve on the Citizen Corps Council. The Citizen Corps is FEMA’s grassroots strategy to bring together government and community leaders to become involved in all-hazards emergency preparedness and resilience.
For additional information, follow the link to its website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem/citizencorps/. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Laura Floyd at laura.floyd@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Moving Equipment Sought
The Centreville Labor Resource Center is in need of moving equipment to add to its tool supplies. Requested items are back braces, lift belts, sliders and straps that are used for moving jobs.
This equipment can be checked out by workers and brought back when they complete jobs. It will ensure that they're able to complete moving jobs more safely. In addition, the CLRC is seeking Spanish-speaking people to fill a number of volunteer positions. Contact Molly Maddra-Santiago at director@centrevillelrc.org.
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.
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 September. 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.
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.