CALL TO ACTION: Join the Red Cross for lunch

Good morning Prince William. Are you free for lunch on Tuesday? If you are then please join those wonderful volunteers from the Sheriff’s Department support our American Red Cross at Cheeseburger in Paradise in Woodbridge. They are selling tickets for $12 for a super lunch to include the works, dessert and beverage and Cheeseburger in Paradise will donate all the proceeds to the American Red Cross. Please call Nancy at the Sheriff’s Department at 703-792-5817 for a ticket. Don’t miss out on the fun.

And speaking of the American Red Cross — Brian at the Quantico office is busy gearing up for his summer youth volunteer program. This is a super opportunity for teens age 13 and older to learn new skills, network with other kids, enhance your resume for college, make your parents and proud and get thing done. Volunteer jobs include instructor aides, babysitting instructors, basic aid training instructors, first aid for children, blood services volunteers and tons of other neat opportunities. Volunteer orientation is scheduled for May 30 so please call Brian at 703-784-3113 to reserve your spot.

The super volunteers with the SPCA have started a wonderful new partnership with the Washington Humane Society to have pets neutered once a month at their facility in D.C. Volunteers are needed here at the central location to help with paperwork, loading pets on the transport van and answering questions. Training is provided to get you up to speed and you can sign up for the morning shift from 7 to 9 a.m. or the evening shift from 6 to 8 p.m. Please e-mail Angie at volunteercoordinator@pwspca.org for more information.

The good folks at Restoring Lives Community Development Corporation sponsor scholarships for 10 kids every year. Please come support their fundraising brunch on June 6 at the Old Hickory Club. Tickets are just $35 and it promises to be a wonderful event and for a great cause. Please call 703-490-7155, Ext. 20, for more information.

The wonderful folks at Northern Virginia Family Services are gearing up for their summer program for middle school youth at the Falls Church Community Center. If you are able to flex out of work on Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m., this promises to be one of those life-changing experiences for both you and your mentee. Help them with their social skills and improving their academics. Please call Monica at 703-219-2106 to learn more about this super program for multicultural youth.

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@pwcgov.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 as we start hurricane season in just two weeks.

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.