Neighborhood news: High school hosts blood drive

Be a hero by giving blood at Brentsville High School's blood drive Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school's cafeteria.

To give blood, you must be healthy and at least 17 years old. You must weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated whole blood in the past eight weeks (56 days) or double red cells in the past 16 weeks (112 days).

Students who donate at high school drives and donors younger than 19 years old must also meet height and weight requirements.

For those requirements and more information, visit redcross.org.

Rekindle hope for the upcoming holiday

Spiritual Care Support Ministry's satellite office at 11500 New Life Way (Manassas Assembly of God Church) will offer "Rekindling Hope for the Holidays," a program for those who have lost loved ones and who are seeking peace of mind during what can be a trying time of year.

The program will be Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

The SCSM Bristow/Manassas Satellite Office is open every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing support, education and a biblical perspective to those who are ill, dying, grieving or experiencing personal loss. Individual counseling is also available. All services are free and nondenominational.

Call Chaplain Liz Danielsen at 540-454-1676 for information or for appointments.

Here are some ways to support our troo

Western Prince William County residents and everyone can give a holiday gift or year-round support to a deployed platoon or soldier.

Adopt-a-Platoon is seeking individuals and organizations to send one-time or monthly care packages.

Care packages not only boost morale, they provide commodities that are difficult to obtain, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Soldiers are also in need of pen pals to provide weekly correspondence and donors to provide footwear.

For more information, see adoptaplatoon.org.

This is my second year wishing N&M readers a happy and safe Thanksgiving and recalling the many gifts Prince William residents bring to our neighborhoods and communities. Enjoy the holiday.

Katherine Gotthardt reports your neighborhood news from the Nokesville, Bristow and Brentsville areas every Friday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Katherine at .