Welcome to Caring Community Updates 2021 news and articles about our volunteers in action!
2021 Holiday Project Made Spirits Bright
(Posted 2021 December)
Volunteer Solutions coordinated the 2021 Fairfax Area Adult & Aging holiday project with the help of volunteers and community partners, who brought cheer to older adults and adults with disabilities. We are thankful that so many caring community members took the time to remind others they are remembered during the holiday season.
Learn more about this holiday project.
Meet Lance Beets, Recipient of the 2020 Citation of Merit Award
(Posted 2021 December)
A hearty “Congratulations!” to our volunteer, Lance Beets, who won a 2020 Citation of Merit award for the 1200+ hours of volunteering he contributed with Volunteer Solutions, and more. Learn more about Lance, the volunteer work he's done, and the award!
2021 Thanksgiving Pilot Project
(Posted 2021 November)
The 2021 Thanksgiving project was a success! This project started with a partnership between: Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, ECHO, United Community, Lorton Community Action Center, Food for Others and Cornerstones. These groups provided one box per client, which included a freshly prepared Thanksgiving meal, refrigerated items and non-perishable items. The success of the Thanksgiving project was due to the work and collaboration of several groups. Learn more about how these partnerships served meals to help make it a happy Thanksgiving!
Volunteer Solutions Serving In-Person and Virtually
(Posted 2021 October)
Volunteer Solutions is grateful to the volunteers who have continued to serve virtually, even throughout the pandemic, as well as those who have returned in-person. Both, virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities will remain options. In-person volunteer opportunities have vaccination requirements. Learn about volunteer opportunities through the Mealtime Visitor Program.
Lending a Helping Hand
(Posted 2021 July)
This year, Volunteer Solutions' Helping Hands program focused on outdoor spaces. Dedicated volunteers worked hard to clean up and transform older adults' yards. From trimming bushes to pulling vines, volunteers added curb appeal and improved the quality of life for residents who can now more easily access and enjoy their space. To all of our Helping Hands volunteers, thank you! Learn more about this story.
Young Men Continue to Serve During Pandemic
(Posted 2021 June)
The Young Men's Service League Vienna-Oakton chapter (YMSL-VO) provides mothers and sons valuable, philanthropic opportunities to bond and serve together during their high school years. When the pandemic hit, YMSL got busy creating multiple ways to continue to offer their volunteer services while social distancing. Learn about ways some mothers and sons continue volunteering to help the community.
Recognition of National Volunteer Week
(Posted 2021 April)
In recognition of National Volunteer Week, Trina Mayhan-Webb, Division Director of Adult and Aging Services in the Department of Family Services, shares a special thank you message to our volunteers.
Chairman McKay’s Community Champion Award Winner – Diane Watson
(Posted 2021 April)
Congratulations to Diane Watson, an activist, advocate, educator, facilitator, and collaborator with and for her neighbors and all older adults throughout the whole Fairfax region! She was chosen to be Community Champion for Jeffrey McKay, Chairman At Large, for the 2021 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards. She is a community pillar of knowledge, dedication, hospitality, service, and compassion for all, but especially, the most vulnerable community members. Learn more about Diane's story.
Making a Difference One Call at a Time
(Posted 2021 April)
Navigating Medicare can be complicated and many people don't understand their options. By providing unbiased, factual information to Medicare recipients via phone, Michael Quigley knows he has saved people money and helped them receive medications at the best rates available. He finds great satisfaction in making such an impact on people’s lives. Learn more about Michael's story.
Striving to Thrive, Not Just Survive
(Posted 2021 April)
Shobha Sahgal is no stranger to Volunteer Solutions as she registered with us shortly after retiring more than 20 years ago. As you can imagine, she’s done a variety of tasks through the years: helping with grocery shopping, running errands, transporting people to medical appointments, and interacting with older adults through social visiting. Little did Shobha know how that would later expand her volunteering repertoire in the virtual arena. Learn more about Shobha's story.
Volunteer Spotlight – Meet Daphne Yang
(Posted 2021 February)
In 2018, Daphne joined Volunteer Solutions – volunteering time to drive older adults to doctors’ appointments, help with grocery shopping, and make social visits. But now, even though the pandemic has changed things, it hasn't kept her from finding ways to help others. Learn more about how Daphne adjusted and continues to volunteer.
Do You Want to Make a CERTain Difference?
(Posted 2021 February)
Helpers can be anyone—Volunteer Solutions volunteers, your next-door neighbor, first responders, or volunteers like retired Fairfax Area Agency on Aging employee, Kathy Jones. Throughout her life, she has cared for others in many ways. To those who know her, it came as no surprise when she decided to learn life-saving techniques from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. According to Kathy, it should no longer be the best kept secret in Fairfax. Learn more about Kathy's story.
Interested in more news and articles? Check out Caring Community Updates in 2020, 2019 and 2018.