Welcome to the 2025 March issue of The Volunteer Post Newsletter, for current and potential volunteers, sponsors and donors interested in supporting children and families.
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Join Us for our 2025 Volunteer & Partner Appreciation Event
During National Volunteer Month in April, Volunteer & Partner Services will recognize our dedicated volunteers, partners and donors. We are so grateful for your tireless contributions to the success of our programs and your boundless support of our community throughout the year. Volunteers, partners and donors who have supported us in the last year are invited to join us for our Annual Volunteer & Partner Appreciation Event on Friday, April 25, from 5-8 p.m. There will be plenty of food, prizes, raffles, and giveaways at this fun event celebrating YOU! Invitations with all the details have been sent to via email. Please RSVP by March 28 as space is limited. If you have questions, please send us an email.
Volunteer & Partner Services Engages Community at MLK Jr. Day of Service
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, Give Together, hosted by Volunteer Fairfax on Saturday, January 25. Learn about the Build-a-Bear® project we offered and its impact throughout the community.
New Event Uplifts BeFriend-A-Child Mentors
During National Mentor Appreciation Month in January, Volunteer and Partner Services hosted a special event to help BeFriend-A-Child volunteers renew their energy and enthusiasm for mentoring. Being a mentor can take a lot out of you. It’s normal to suffer from compassion fatigue and/or to take on the weight of all the troubles of the child you are mentoring. This event provided food, fun and fellowship along with cool prizes and a workshop on managing secondary trauma. Learn more about this event and the generous sponsors who made it possible.
Spread Kindness with Handmade Donations
Donating handmade items to children is a powerful way to spread kindness, warmth, and comfort. These gifts are more than just physical items; they are symbols of care, love, and hope. We are always in need of donations, particularly handmade items that have a personal touch. Whether you’re an expert knitter, a skilled seamstress, or someone who loves to paint, there are endless ways to make meaningful gifts for children in need. Check out these suggestions!
Donate Meals to the Parenting Education Programs
Are you looking for a great way to serve the Fairfax County community? Do you like to cook? We have a great opportunity for you to share your love of food with others in the community! You can bring together friends, neighbors, or a community group to donate meals for families participating in the Department of Family Services’ parenting education groups! You can prepare a meal or part of a meal for about 25-35 people and bring it to the class or have it delivered! Meals will be served as families eat together, building communication and relationships. Some easy meal ideas include spaghetti or pasta, casseroles, tacos, and hamburgers with sides. You can even sponsor a restaurant meal to be delivered. Volunteer once or multiple times as your schedule allows. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity or email Agustina Bravo or call 703-324-7196 to get on the schedule to help.
Pinwheels for Prevention
During Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, help us raise awareness of community resources supporting children and families. Display a pinwheel garden at your Fairfax County business, house of worship, school, or organization. You can also wear prevention blue and take a photo with one of the community gardens at your local library, community center, or other locations around the county. For more information about ways to partner with the Department of Family Services online.
ABOUT VOLUNTEER & PARTNER SERVICES (VPS)
The Volunteer Post Newsletter is part of the Department of Family Services Volunteer & Partner Services Program (VPS) - managing volunteer programs (Administrative Assistant Program, BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program, Body Safety Program - Speak Up Be Safe, recruiting and training volunteers for programs (Father Engagement Program and Parenting Education Programs); and working with partners, sponsors and donors to help in special efforts (Adopt-A-Family Program, Baby box initiative, back-to-school backpacks). Learn more about VPS and how volunteers are making a positive difference.
Browse through past newsletters in the archive. To provide feedback on our newsletter or to be added to our mailing list, contact us.