volunteering

volunteering

The Reston Holiday Gingerbread Village and How It Gives Back to the Community

As you stroll through Reston Town Center this holiday season, don’t miss the spectacular gingerbread village inside the Hyatt hotel lobby. This confectionary masterpiece delights local families every year, with several buildings created out of real gingerbread, candy, and frosting, and a train moving throughout the village. You can learn more about the process of creating this village…

December 20, 2016

Volunteers With Kids R First Are Delivering Free School Supplies to Thousands of Needy Kids

As I walked in the Kids R First distribution center at Rachel Carson Middle School, I was stunned by the seemingly endless boxes of school supplies. There were towering packages of pencils, scissors, crayons, highlighters, binders, glue sticks, and much more. “Oh, this is nothing,” said Susan Ungerer, president of the non-profit organization. “You should have…

August 3, 2016

Reston Area Events in April 2016

Spring is here, the flowers are blooming, and events calendars are filling with fun options. Event highlights this month include a capella festival, a pirate festival, several film screenings, and a week-long celebration of Reston’s founder, Bob Simon, on what would have been his 102nd birthday. Here’s what’s happening in the Reston area of Northern Virginia…

March 31, 2016

Reston Events in January 2016

Mark those shiny, new 2016 calendars! Here’s what’s happening in the Reston and Herndon area for the month of January. Highlights include several celebrations in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., hosted by Reston Community Center and participating organizations. FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016 New Year’s Day 5K 10am: Reston Town Center, Reston Get your year off…

December 31, 2015

April 2015 Events in the Reston Area

It’s time for our monthly events calendar! April brings spring flowers, Earth Day, a cool art installation, and Reston’s annual birthday party. Here’s what’s happening around town during the next month.

March 31, 2015

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events in the Reston Area

Today, January 15th, is the 86th birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The holiday in his honor occurs this coming Monday, January 19th, and the upcoming three-day weekend is filled with events to celebrate his contributions to the nation. Here are some ways you and your family can celebrate MLK, Jr. Day in Reston, Northern Virginia,…

January 15, 2015

Fairfax Pets on Wheels Bring Canine Cheer to Local Seniors

While preparing a story about Surf Reston earlier this year, I met a paddleboarding dog named AnnieBelle. I was intrigued to learn that she is part of Fairfax Pets on Wheels, a volunteer program that brings dogs to visit local assisted living facilities. The relaxed disposition that keeps AnnieBelle steady on the paddleboard also makes her a calming and friendly…

November 10, 2014

Vecinos Unidos: A Non-Profit Homework Program in Fairfax County

School is in full-swing again and the nightly homework battles have begun in my house. My husband and I dream up all sorts of ways to challenge our daughter to think critically about the assignments and are at-the-ready to explain difficult concepts. But what about those parents who don’t speak English? The parents who know…

October 8, 2014