Start the school year by volunteering

Good morning Prince William and happy last week of summer vacation. I know you all have lots of hustle and bustle of last minute shopping for the kids so I hope you'll put all these neat ideas on your calendar for September.

The wonderful folks at Capital Hospice are looking for volunteers to fill a number of positions throughout the organization such as visiting patients and their families, providing administrative support in their Manassas office or participating in the speakers bureau. And if you're like me and have had a family member receive care and comfort from Hospice you know what a fabulous service they provide. The next volunteer training sessions are Sept. 9, 11, 16 and 18. Please call Marsha at 703-392-6707 to see how you can be part of this wonderful organization.

In recognition of National Preparedness Month Prince William County is hosting two Emergency Management Ministry events on Sept. 9 or Sept. 11 to encourage houses of worship inform their members on the importance of personal emergency preparedness. Please join us on Sept. 9 at the Nokesville Fire Dept or Sept. 11 at Cokesbury UMC to receive the tools necessary to prepare your congregations. Both sessions are from 7 to 8:30 p.m. To register, please call Bonnie at 703-369-5292, Ext. 202.

Transitional BARN has a fun opportunity if you like to participate in event planning. They are having their big gala on Nov. 8 called Festival of Trees Gala and volunteers are needed on several committees. Please call Becky at 703-369-1325 to see how you can help with this fun event.

Those wonderful folks at Literacy Volunteers of America are gearing up for their next volunteer training because they have a whole list of adults looking for a tutor to help them read and write with greater proficiency. You can make the difference in the life of an entire family. Please call 703-670-5702 to register for the November training.

If you are looking for other opportunities, please don't forget to call my wonderful team at the Voluntary Action Center. Diane can help senior volunteers with Retired and Senior Volunteer (RSVP) opportunities at 703-369-5292, Ext. 207; Shelley can help with 1-800 volunteer opportunities at 703-369-5292, Ext. 201; Sue can help you with the Medical Reserve opportunities available in Disaster Preparedness at 703-369-5292, Ext. 204; and Bonnie can help you with all the other many opportunities available in Disaster Preparedness at 703-369-5292, Ext. 202. Or please don't forget our Web site at http://www.volunteer princewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community. Until next week, please stay safe.

Mary Foley is the executive director of the Voluntary Action Center in Manassas.