(Posted 2025 March)

The Children, Youth and Families Division of the Fairfax County Department of Family Services had the pleasure of participating in this year’s MLK Jr. Day of Service event, Give Together, hosted by Volunteer Fairfax on Saturday, January 25. Nearly 400 volunteers of all ages came together during the event to give back to the community. Families engaged in service projects that addressed food insecurity, elder care, family services, those experiencing housing instability, emergency management, animal welfare, and more.

The CYF activity focused on supporting children involved with our agency who have been abused, neglected or exposed to some form of trauma. Thanks to a generous donation of stuffed animals from Build-a-Bear®, teen volunteers decorated nearly 180 teddy bears with words of compassion, love, and empathy. Each bear provides a tangible message of hope guaranteed to brighten any child’s day. 

Later that same week, CYF’s Volunteer & Partner Services program distributed the decorated teddy bears to our specialists to deliver to the children on their caseloads. It was a heartwarming success during a time when many of these children need support in some way or another. 

Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Program Manager, Twana Johnson, along with other Prevention program staff including Taja McBath, Sammy Zeballos, Sheemeca Berkely, Francesca Lovitt, and her 10-year-old niece and volunteer, Violet Kendrick, enjoyed every second supporting this successful event!