Article Text

Inova Blood Donor Services will hold a blood drive Saturday, March 22, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sully District Government Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.

Donors should bring a photo ID and plan to spend about an hour completing the process. Participants must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent, and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors will receive an Inova umbrella while supplies last. Appointments are available online, and questions may be sent to sully@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Centreville job fair set for Sunday

Job seekers and people considering a career change can attend the Empower and Elevate Employment Job Fair on Sunday, March 23, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Mount Olive Baptist Church, 6600 Old Centreville Road in Centreville. Assistance with improving resumés will also be available.

Representatives from the Fairfax County Department of Human Resources, Neighborhood and Community Services, and the Economic Development Authority will discuss employment opportunities. More information is available from Suzette.Reynolds@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Food markets seek essential donations

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries is requesting food and toiletries as demand increases at its free markets in Centreville and Chantilly.

Needed foods include flour, preferably maseca; one- or two-pound bags of sugar; vegetable oil; pasta and pasta sauce; brown rice; pancake mix; family-sized snacks; canned chicken; ground coffee; tea bags; and hot-chocolate mixes.

The organization also needs toilet paper, soap, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, feminine-hygiene products and baby wipes.

Donations may be delivered to the back door of WFCM at 4511 Daly Drive, Suite H, from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday or from 9 to 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month.

Free car-seat inspections planned

Parents can have child safety seats inspected from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, outside the Sully District Police Station at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.

Inspections are open to everyone and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants should install their seats before arriving. Inspectors will correct the installation if needed and teach parents how to install the seats properly.

Another inspection is scheduled for May 22 at the same location and during the same hours.

Feed Fairfax 5K registration opens

The family-friendly Feed Fairfax 5K will take place Saturday, May 3, at Greenbriar Town Center in Chantilly.

Race entry fees and donations will benefit weekend meal programs operated by Western Fairfax Christian Ministries and Food for Others for Fairfax County Public Schools students. Registration is available online.

Ceremony will honor Vietnam veterans

A Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Veterans Amphitheater outside Fairfax City Hall, 10455 Armstrong St. in Fairfax.

The program will recognize Vietnam veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and honor their families. Organizers will also read the names of Fairfax County residents who died in Vietnam.

The free public event is hosted by the Fairfax Resolves Chapter of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Fairfax County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, VFW Post 8469 and American Legion Post 177.

Home for Life Expo returns April 4

The third annual Home for Life 2025 Expo will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd. in Fairfax.

The free event for senior citizens in Fairfax City and Fairfax County will feature 36 exhibitors. Speakers will address decluttering, technology support, estate planning and dementia care.

Refreshments and space to visit with friends and neighbors will be available at the Welcome Café. The City of Fairfax Fire Department will also bring its fire-simulator trailer to the parking lot.

Residents invited to help improve 911 services

The Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications is working with George Mason University to organize focus groups about emergency response and communication.

Participants will discuss cooperation between community members and first responders, challenges during emergencies, community needs, potential service improvements and ways artificial-intelligence tools might support emergency services.

The scheduled sessions are:

  • Saturday, March 22, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Meeting Room 2 at Culmore Library, 6101 Knollwood Drive in Falls Church.

  • Friday, April 4, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Meeting Room 1 at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive in Centreville.

  • Saturday, April 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Meeting Room 2 at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St. in Springfield.

Each focus group will last about two to three hours, and food and refreshments will be provided. Interested residents may register online.