Neighborhood news: Wellness festival coming Sept. 26

The third annual Children's Wellness Festival will be held at Metz Middle School on Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A joint effort of Gainesville-Haymarket, Manassas and Bull Run Rotary Clubs and the Manassas City Public Schools Health Advisory Board, this health education program assists needy children grades K-8 in western Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.

The goal is to reach as many needy children as possible; to educate children and their parents in healthy lifestyles; to refer children and parents to professional medical services; to provide information on resources within the community; to advocate maintaining a safe and healthy lifestyle.

The festival will be set up in county fair style with stations including height/weight/BMI, chest/heart/lungs, eyes/ears, dental, scoliosis screening, physical fitness, nutrition, professional referrals, free clinic referrals and Health Department referrals.

Gainesville-Haymarket Rotary will also be involved in follow-up with the support of Prince William County and Manassas City school nurses.

For more information, contact Charles (Charlie) Mills, President, Rotary Club of Gainesville-Haymarket, at 703-789-8322 or charles_mills@cable.comcast.com.

Lennar raises $775,000 to help fight cancer

The American Cancer Society recently presented Lennar Corporation with the Grand Visionary Award for its efforts to raise $775,000 over the course of nine years.

"We are honored to have received this award," said Michael George, project manager for Lennar's Virginia Division. "Cancer is a devastating disease, and our goal at Lennar is to continue raising money and awareness so that one day, with everyone's efforts, there will be a cure."

Lennar, with residents in its active adult community, Heritage Hunt in Gainesville, have raised the funds through yearly events including the Lennar Heritage Charity Golf Classic, Casino Night/Silent Auction and Walk for Cancer.

"We are grateful for our relationship with Lennar and Heritage Hunt residents," said Karen Brav, American Cancer Society's development director. "The fight against cancer is a community fight; we cannot do it alone."

Lennar and Heritage Hunt residents are gearing up for their 10th annual charity event in which they hope to raise more than $50,000 for the American Cancer Society. The Walk for Cancer will take place at Heritage Hunt on Sept. 26 starting at 9 a.m. It is open to the public, and more walkers are needed. Donation to participate is $20.

To participate in the Walk for Cancer, contact Dick Powell at 703-743-5173.

Woman's Club can help you make a difference

On Monday from 6:30 to 9 p.m., plan to be at the Dominion Country Club to sign up as a volunteer with the Dominion Woman's Club.

With the Home Life Department, help assemble and contribute comfort-package items for the domestic violence shelter. Needed are small stuffed animals, travel size toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, personal-sized mouthwash, disposable razors, shaving cream, and small packages of Q-tips and feminine hygiene products.

The shelter also needs powder laundry detergent, deodorant and dollar toys.

For the homeless shelter, help provide educational games, kid's magazines, family and/or children's movies and hand-held pencil sharpeners.

Help the Education Committee gather prize closet, dollar-store items such as puzzles, pens, journals, balls and books.

The Conservation Committee is collecting for Friends of Homeless Animals. The organization needs gift cards from Home Depot or Lowe's and 20-gallon cinch sacs. They also need new blankets, towels, pet beds, leashes and animal toys.

Contact lgfwcdominionwomansclub@gmail.com or at 703-499-3046 for more information. Dominion Country Club is located at 15200 Arnold Palmer Dr., Haymarket.

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 your HOA's activities, please send it to Katherine at kgotthardt@comcast.net.