CALL TO ACTION: ACTS seeks professional clothing

Good morning Prince William, and happy Mother’s Day to all you special moms out there! There is a lot going on in our community during the month of May. So, make your mom proud and get out there and volunteer!

For starters, our friends at Action in the Commuinty Through Service are accepting donations of good-quality professional clothing for Prince William PurSuits, on Wednesday. This event is for the purpose of providing clothing to individuals entering or re-entering the job market. They especially need interview-worthy men’s suits and apparel. Please call Beth at 703-441-8606, Ext. 213, by Monday.

The Greater Manassas Volunteer Rescue Squad is hosting an open house on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Rescue Squad is at 9322 Center St. in Manassas adjacent to the County Judicial Center. Tour the station, have your blood pressure checked, and witness a vehicle extrication demonstration. You can also take an ambulance ride! Squad members will be on hand to speak to visitors about becoming a volunteer member of the Rescue Squad.

Calling all sports fans to support your local Special Olympics athletes! On May 19, Noodles and Company at 9446 Liberia Ave. will donate a portion of their sales to Special Olympics. All you need to do is show-up between 5 and 9 p.m. and tell the cashier you are there in support of Special Olympics when you place your order. Then, you get to enjoy a wonderful meal (yes, I have tried most of their dishes) and help your community at the same time. It doesn’t get any easier!

The Habitat ReStore is in need of volunteers to assist with an in-store event May 30 in shifts of 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 to 4 p.m. The ReStore could also use a volunteer to assist with on-line auctions and classified ads. This job would require you to come in at least once a week for 2-4 hours. Contact Sam at 703-369-6145 or via e-mail at sdruetzler@habitatpwc.org. If you have never visited the ReStore, take one of these opportunities to check it out. You won’t be disappointed!

Community Hospice of Virginia is looking for compassionate, sensitive, and mature volunteers to provide support directly to hospice patients and their loved ones. This is a rewarding opportunity to provide companionship and a listening ear to patients and to offer family members a few hours to spend out of the house or resting. Comprehensive training is provided. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Contact Laura at 703-738-5017 or via e-mail at lable@communityhospices.org.

The Office of Emergency Management invites you to better prepare yourself, your family and community to handle emergencies by attending a one-day Community Emergency Response Training on June 27 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This promises to be a fun and rewarding training by giving you the skills to protect your home and family, identify and reduce common fire safety hazards, recognize urgent life-threatening medical situations and understand the psychological impact of disaster events. This training is free but advanced registration is required by calling Kathy Simmons at 703-792-5627 or e-mail her at: ksimmons@pwc gov.org. You will also receive a voucher for a free American Red Cross CPR class. Just think how reassured you’ll be with this additional skill base.
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 703-369-529, 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.

» Bonnie can help you with all other opportunities available in Disaster Preparedness at 703-369-5292, Ext. 202.

Also visit www.volunteerprincewilliam.org.

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