While volunteers are needed and appreciated any time of the year, during the holiday season there is a greater need and more opportunities around Northern Virginia. The kindness, compassion and generosity of people just like you is a great reminder of what the season is all about.  There are many individuals and families right here in our community that need assistance during this time of year. If you would like to help out, here are some volunteer opportunities in the Fairfax County area.

CHRISTMAS/DECEMBER HOLIDAY OPPORTUNITIES:

Wreaths Across America – Volunteers are needed to place wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery on December 15, 2018.
REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom.
Thanks for the interest and support for the wreath laying event at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 8:30 AM. You are more than welcome to participate. There is no requirement to register or sign-up in order to participate. All you need to do is show up. They do not assign individuals or groups to any specific locations in which to place wreaths. You are free to participate at any section you like.
You can also support Wreaths Across America by sponsoring a wreath ($15) to help them reach their goal of honoring every veteran at the cemetery.

Britepaths – Provide a family with a December holiday meal and/or gifts for children 18 and under. Click here to Register Now.  Not sure if sponsoring a family is right for you? Britepaths’ Holiday Program can use donations of any amount to help purchase gift cards for families who are not sponsored. If you would like to help, but are not prepared to be a Sponsor, please consider making a contribution to help these families/individuals. No gift is too small to make a difference! 

ECHO – Volunteers are needed for the Holiday Meal Program- providing groceries suitable for making a festive meal for a local family or by providing food store gift cards to a family so they can shop and prepare their own holiday meal. Help is also needed with the Holiday Gift Store. ECHO collects new toys for children aged 2 to 15 and displays them in a cheerfully decorated, store-like setting. ECHO clients who participate in this program come in by appointment to choose appropriate gifts for their children from our “store.”

Donors can help with this happy program by donating new childrens’ toys or teen gifts (not gift-wrapped, please) no later than the second Tuesday of December. Donations can be delivered to our donation door at 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, on weekdays between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm, or Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings between 7:00 and 9:00.

FACETS – Share the holiday spirit with the children and adults they serve through their programs by donating gifts for the holidays. You can choose to purchase gifts for:

• a specific child based on their “wish list” (approximately $25 in total value). Information about the child and their wish list will be provided during the week of November 21st to donors who sign up for this option.
• children (using suggestions provided below, items approximately $25 in value, as opposed to items from the wish list of a specific child).
• adults (using suggestions provided below, items approximately $25 in value).