Originally published September 2, 2013 at 09:02a.m., updated September 2, 2013 at 09:02a.m.
BURKE
Deeper Missions
An aid and mission travel organization that aims to implement sustainability projects, such as clean energy, safe water and sanitation in developing nations. Locally, volunteer opportunities include helping design graphics, social media management and fundraiser writing, in addition to being part of a travel team. http://deepermissions.org.
Lions Club
The Burke Lions, formed in 1967, hold two big annual fundraising events, including selling food at the Burke Centre Fall Festival and Christmas tree sales at Cardinal Forest Plaza, all proceeds of which benefit charities. The club meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m. Those with questions should call Lion Stephen Pawlow to enjoy a free dinner and to find out what the group is about. 703-764-9656 or www.burkelions.org.
Moms Club of BURKE
The MOMS Offering Moms Support (MOMS) Club is an international, non-profit organization that provides support for mothers. The Burke group provides forums on topics of interest for moms (child care, tea, coffee and baked goods provided) as well as during-the-day playdates and socializing activities. www.burkemomsnorth.org and https://sites.google.com/site/burkesouthmoms/.
Burke CARES
Burke CARES is a community-building, non-profit organization incorporated in 1997 and composed entirely of volunteers that serves the members of Burke Centre and the larger Burke community by helping community members with resources to come to the aid of community members who need those resources. Burke CARES is determined to help create a community of residents aware of each other's needs and helping to meet those needs.
http://BurkeCARES.tripod.com/index.html.
Celebration Singers
Celebration Singers is a performance-oriented and service-based community singing group that endeavors, through its presence and visibility in Prince William County, to enhance the county’s image throughout Northern Virginia, and to provide members and audiences with a rewarding and enjoyable experience through seasonal concerts. Ticket proceeds also provide support for charitable organizations local to Northern Virginia. www.celebrationsingersva.org/.
GIVE
GIVE (Growth and Inspiration through Volunteering and Education) is a non-profit organization founded and operated by high school students, which works towards promoting leadership of youth through volunteering time for a free tutoring program for children. Last year, GIVE ran 11 centers in both libraries and community centers, and is looking forward to expanding further this year with more support. The GIVE center at Richard Byrd Library, which has served over 1,000 students, has over 100 students and 60 tutors that meet every Saturday from 1-3 p.m. www.giveyouth.org.
Friends of the Burke Centre Library
The library maintains an association of persons and organizations interested in supporting and advocating for public library services. Members work together to host several large book sales throughout the year, advocate for all libraries to receive adequate funding, host guest speakers such as historians, publishers and authors, and support the Fairfax Library Foundation with the annual Fall for the Book Festival. bcfriendsbooks@yahoo.com.
FAIRFAX
Lamb Center
A day center for the homeless, currently seeking donations and general volunteers. 703-691-3178 or www.thelambcenter.org.
Fairfax City Area FISH (Friendly Immediate Sympathetic Help)
Working with the Office of Coordinated Services Planning and Fairfax County Department of Human Services, FISH helps local citizens who are in temporary need of life's basic necessities such as food, clothing and financial assistance for rent, mortgage payments, utilities and medical treatments. FISH also provides limited transportation for doctor appointments and food delivery. 703-222-0880 or http://fairfaxfish.org/.
Comfort for America's Uniformed Services (CAUSE)
Ensures that recuperating service members have opportunities for recreation and social interaction and receive concrete signs of appreciation for all that they have done. 703-591-4968 or cause-usa.org.
Food for Others
The non-profit provides a safety net for people who suddenly face unforeseen emergencies such as a family illness or the loss of a job or a spouse. 703-207-9173 or www.foodforothers.org.
Our Daily Bread
The Holiday Program helps those in need with food for the holidays and gifts for their children, making last year's holiday season brighter for approximately 3,000 families. For more information on their holiday programs, including how to sponsor a family, go to www.odbfairfax.com/holiday.
Fairfax Families for Kids
Fairfax Families4Kids gives youth ages 12 to 21, currently living in foster care or out of foster care, the opportunity to participate in group and individual mentoring, and spend quality time in the community engaged in regularly scheduled, structured group activities. Sample group activities include: chess tournaments, bowling, basketball camps, fitness and dance classes, badminton, horseback riding, 5-K walks, etc. The youth also participate in community service projects such as: packing school backpacks for children in Haiti, sending boxes to soldiers, raising money for the homeless, etc. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ncs/fairfaxfamilies4kids.htm.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Fairfax Area
Aims to help youth become confident, civic-minded, responsible adults through programs focused on education/career development, health and life skills, leadership, the arts, sports and recreation, and mentoring. http://www.bgcgw.org/fairfax/.
FACETS
FACETS helps parents, their children and individuals who suffer the effects of poverty in the Fairfax area. FACETS is always in need of volunteers, and offers a variety of one-time and ongoing opportunities, including a monthly Youth Volunteer Night. 703-865-4251 or http://facetscares.org/.
Kurdish Human Rights Watch
KHRW began in 1989 with the mission to enable Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees, asylee newcomers and homeless individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence through direct assistance and capacity-building. http://www.khrw.org/.
Pathway Homes
Established in 1980, Pathways focuses on providing housing and support services to individuals with serious mental illnesses, with the mission to help these individuals reach their full potential and lead stable lives. They offer both in-home programs, semi-independent houses and assisted living facilities. http://www.pathwayhomes.org/.
FAIRFAX STATION, CLIFTON & LORTON
National Capital Food Bank
A group of food banks serving all of Northern Virginia seek monetary donations and general volunteers. 703-541-3063 or www.capitalareafoodbank.org.
Lorton Community Action Center
Operates the Act ll Thrift Shop at 9506 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Sales from the shop generate funds for LCAC and clients also shop there. LCAC is seeking monetary donations, volunteers and collecting gift cards and food baskets for Thanksgiving, gifts and food baskets for Christmas, and warm coats. 703-339-8611 or www.lortonaction.org.
Lorton Community Action Center
The organization seeks to aid low-income families and individuals in southeast Fairfax by providing basic needs, as well as informational resources. http://www.lortonaction.org/index.php.
South County Cares
South County Church congregation members and south county area community members work together on local and international projects like National Night Out, Operation Christmas Child, and local and international aid efforts. www.southcountycares.org.
SPRINGFIELD
GIVE
GIVE (Growth and Inspiration through Volunteering and Education) is a non-profit organization founded and operated by high school students, which works towards promoting leadership of youth through volunteering time for a free tutoring program for children. Last year, GIVE ran 11 centers in both libraries and community centers, and is looking forward to expanding further this year with more support. The GIVE center at Richard Byrd Library, which has served over 1,000 students, has over 100 students and 60 tutors that meet every Saturday from 1-3 p.m. www.giveyouth.org.
Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO)
Open to receive donations at 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Provides food and financial assistance to those in short-term emergencies, and provides clothing and household goods to low income families. ECHO is constantly seeking donations and volunteers. 703-569-9160 or www.echo-inc.org.
South County Cares
South County Church congregation members and south county area community members work together on local and international projects like National Night Out, Operation Christmas Child, and local and international aid efforts. www.southcountycares.org.
National Capital Food Bank
A group of food banks serving all of Northern Virginia seek monetary donations and general volunteers. 703-541-3063 or www.capitalareafoodbank.org.
Northern Virginia Family Services
Offers employments and job training, health care, housing, mental health, foster care and home visitations to new parents. 703-385-3267 or www.nvfs.org.