Department of Family Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
703-324-7500 TTY 711
12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building
Fairfax, VA 22035
Michael A. Becketts
Director

Caring Community Updates

Welcome to Caring Community Updates where Volunteer Solutions shares the latest news and articles about our volunteers in action!


May 2026 Bloom Brigade 
(Posted May 2026)

Beautiful floral arrangements were thoughtfully created and donated by the Yacht Haven Garden Club, bringing color and joy to Department of Family Services (DFS) clients in Alexandria and Springfield. We are grateful for their continued generosity and support.

These special deliveries were made possible through the ongoing collaboration of DFS Home Delivered Meals staff, Volunteer Solutions staff, and our volunteer drivers who helped bring the 112 bouquets directly to older adults in our community. Thank you to everyone who played a part in uplifting others!


2026 Scam Jam
(Posted May 2026)

Scam Jam 2026, held on April 30 at the Fairfax County Government Center, was a success! We are grateful to our community partners, all the speakers who shared valuable tips on scam and fraud prevention, and all who joined us. Learn more about Silver Shield.

Volunteer Solutions supervisor, Emily Swenson, shared about the latest way to receive alerts. A new Fairfax Alerts channel "Silver Shield Scam and Fraud Information" is now available for text updates on scam and fraud prevention. Its goal is to provide subscribers with timely information and send alerts when scams pose an imminent threat to the community.

Signing up is quick and free:

  1. Go to Fairfax Alerts
  2. If you are not an existing user, register for Fairfax Alerts.
  3. To subscribe to this channel, choose Area Agency on Aging.
  4. Then, select Silver Shield - Scam and Fraud Information.

Stay informed and keep protecting yourself and your community!
 


2026 Celebration of National Volunteer Week
(posted April 2026)

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Volunteer Solutions hosted a volunteer appreciation lunch on Tuesday, April 21 at the new Franconia Governmental Center in Alexandria. The event brought our volunteers and staff together for a time of connection, recognition, and gratitude.

Emily Swenson, Volunteer Solutions Supervisor, served as the emcee, guiding the program. She and other VS staff highlighted the incredible contributions of volunteers. Remarks were also shared by Tara Turner, Director of the Area Agency on Aging, and Supervisor Rodney Lusk, who recognized the vital role volunteers play in strengthening the community.

Guests enjoyed a delicious meal, celebrated award recipients, and took part in raffle prize drawings. We are grateful for the dedication of our volunteers who make this work possible every day!


Volunteers Delivered Bouquets and Smiles
(posted March 2026)

On March 11, 2026, older adults receiving home-delivered meals were delighted to find beautiful bouquets delivered right to their doors. The floral arrangements were created and donated by members of the Reston Garden Club, bringing pops of color to homes throughout the community. We are very grateful for their generosity.

This effort was made possible through the continued collaboration of the Department of Family Services Home-Delivered Meals staff, Volunteer Solutions staff, and our dedicated volunteer drivers, a few of whom are shown here.

Thank you to everyone who helped make these uplifting deliveries possible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Volunteers and Garden Clubs Brought February Cheer
(posted February 2026)

“I am so grateful to have received these flowers! They are so pretty, thank you!”

“Thank you for brightening my day! They are so beautiful and made me smile!”

These are just a few of the messages shared by Home-Delivered Meals older adult clients who received beautiful bouquets on February 24, 2026.

The flower delivery was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Great Falls Garden Club, Fairfax Ferns Garden Club, and McLean Hamlet Garden Club. Garden club members used their own club funds to purchase flowers and materials, gathered greenery from their yards, and created lovely arrangements for clients.

This effort was a collaboration with the Department of Family Services’ Home-Delivered Meals staff, Volunteer Solutions staff, and volunteer drivers.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring extra joy to our community!


Interested in more news and articles? Check out Caring Community Updates in 2025, 202420232022202120202019 and 2018.


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