On Parade
The holidays began in the Town of Clifton Saturday, Dec. 1, with a parade of horses and riders decorated in Christmas finery. Sponsored by the Clifton Horse Society, it traveled up Main Street, went through town and along Chapel Street to a field where participants and spectators gathered for cookies and the awarding of prizes.
Making Spirits Bright 12/12/2012
FACETS helps children give presents to their siblings.
No matter people’s income levels, their children still want presents at Christmastime. So each year, FACETS holds Sibling Shops, enabling children to peruse a variety of toys, games and other items, select gifts for their brothers and sisters and have them wrapped.
The Community Comes Through
Members of Stone Middle School's National Junior Honor Society and other volunteers worked at the Saturday, Dec. 8, Panther Drop-off. Area residents brought new toys and clothes to the school for Our Neighbor's Child to distribute for Christmas to local families in need.
Helping Those in Need
Local teen collects items for the poor and homeless.
In this season of giving, even the generous heart of just one person can make a big difference in other people’s lives. Westfield High junior Nick O’Connell knows this firsthand because he’s now in his fifth year of doing just that.
Sikhs Bring Foundation of ‘Service to Others’
Fairfax Station temple active in community outreach.
On a recent Thursday evening, Ajaib Singh, 78, one of the founding members of the Sikh Foundation of Virginia, politely escorts a visitor to the area where one removes shoes and dons a headscarf.
Dynamic and Diverse
New immigrants bring religious diversity to Fairfax County.
At the intersection of Hooes Road and Silverbrook Drive, on the dividing line between Lorton and Fairfax Station, is the largest Hindu structure in three states.
Bienvenido! Huān yíng! Welcome!
Chantilly Bible Church thrives on diversity by providing outreach to immigrants.
Pastor Isaac Huang vividly remembers the day he landed in the United States from Taiwan. It was Jan. 7, 1982, and Huang, 25, was looking forward to studying computer science at Old Dominion University.
Being Muslim in Fairfax County
Immigrants face the challenge of balancing Islamic faith and American culture.
Over the years, Muslims from different countries migrated and settled in the Fairfax County area; however, the children of immigrant parents often struggle the most because they have to balance their Islamic faith along with the influence of American culture.
Helping Families in Need
Our Neighbor’s Child collecting toys, clothing.
With only a week left until packaging day, the volunteers of Our Neighbor’s Child are working to make sure local children’s Christmas wishes come true.
Our Neighbor’s Child Toy Drives Yield Many Gifts
Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC) held toy drives last Saturday, Dec. 1, outside two local Walmarts and both were big successes. Holly Cameron organized the one staffed by Creative Dance Center’s (CDC) competitive dance team at the Dulles Expo Center store, and Phyllis White organized the one at the Fair Lakes store manned by members of Phase Cheer & Dance. And both volunteers were delighted with the results.
Brief: Church Hosts Community Feast
Mount Olive Baptist Church in Centreville is kicking off this season of giving with a festive, family-style dinner for its neighbors in the community. It’s set for this Saturday, Dec.8, from noon-4 p.m., in the church banquet hall at 6600 Old Centreville Road.
Brief: Center To Host Holiday Food Drive
For the third year, The Women’s Club Fitness Center and Day Spa (www.thewomens-club.com) have teamed up with Saint Timothy's Church (Saint Vincent de Paul Society) and Western Fairfax Christian Ministries to host a holiday food drive which will benefit their Holiday Basket Project. This project aids those within the Chantilly community and surrounding areas who are less fortunate.
Fire Causes $100,000 Damage
Fire officials peg unattended candle as culprit.
A townhouse fire Sunday afternoon in Centreville’s Newgate community caused an estimated $100,000 damage, according to fire officials. They say an unattended candle in the kitchen caused the blaze.
Paying It Forward
Leukemia survivor raises money for hospital that helped him.
When Centreville’s Daniel Shank-Rowe was 9, he was diagnosed with leukemia. But he was successfully treated at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and is now in remission.
2012 Turkey Trot Yields Success
Just like the Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pie, this year’s Virginia Run Turkey Trot is history. But the good it’ll do for others will last a long time into the future.