Neighborhood news: Volunteers work to aid community

At their last meeting, The Gainesville Group launched Operation Pack-A-Back in support of the school supply collection program sponsored by SERVE Inc., a charity providing services to the homeless and disadvantaged.

TGG members are contacting friends and neighbors to help provide as many children as possible with essential equipment for the start of the new school year. SERVE is distributing backpacks and grade appropriate supplies at the end of August.

Anyone wishing to donate supplies may drop them off at the SERVE facility, 10056 Dean Drive, Manassas. SERVE's phone number is 703-368-2979.

Made up of Democratic volunteers from western Prince William County, TGG meets the second Monday of each month at the Taste of Asian restaurant in Gainesville. In addition to programs like Pack-A-Back and other commu-nity service activities, the group is also active in local and national politics.

For more information, e-mail thegainesvillegroup@gmail.com or visit www.thegainesvillegroup.org.

Networking Group hosts meetings

The Bull Run Networking Group, offering structure, camaraderie, lead exchanges, presentations and assistance making businesses grow, will host two more networking meetings in August.

The first meeting will be held Tuesday from 8:45 to10 a.m. at the Greater Chamber's Western Prince William branch office, 7450 Heritage Village Plaza, Suite 202, Gainesville. Speaker will be Jim McCarthy, CPA.

From 8:45 to10 a.m. Aug. 25, Steven Spitz of Allied Home Loans will address attendees. The location will once again be at the Greater Chamber's Western Prince William branch office.

For information on BRN and/or their activities, contact Dave Powers at powers8997@comcast.net or Jennifer Hoskins at Jenn@2DotsMarketing.com.

BRN always welcomes visitors.

School Board to meet Sept. 2

The first public meeting of the Prince William County School Board for the new school year will be held Sept. 2 beginning at 7 p.m. A closed session has been scheduled prior to this meeting.

With the exception of the Nov. 17 meeting, the School Board will meet the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7 p.m. in the School Board Meeting Room, 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas.

Citizens who wish to address the board at citizens' time may notify the Board Clerk in advance in writing at P.O. Box 389, Manassas, VA 20108; by phone at 703-791-8709; or by e-mail at pwcsclerk@pwcs.edu. Citizens may also sign up in the School Board meeting room prior to 6:55 p.m. on the evening of the meeting. The schedule can be found at www.pwcs.edu/admin/schboard.

Katherine Gotthardt reports your neighborhood news from the Gainesville and Haymarket area every Wednesday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or HOA activities, send it to Katherine at kgotthardt@comcast.net.