Volunteering is one of the surest ways to make new friends in your new locale. Whether it is offering transportation, helping others physically or emotionally or putting your spare time to better use, Fauquier County affords ample opportunities to satisfy your urge to help others.
Join a team
Fauquier County Library—www.fauquierlibrary.org
The public library has a variety of volunteer opportunities at all three branches (Warrenton, Bealeton and Marshall). Flexible hours are available Monday through Friday.
Warrenton United Methodist Church Food Distribution—www.warrentonumc.org
Volunteers are needed to box up donated food for distribution to needy families every third weekend of the month. The church also has a monthly schedule of donated items to distribute.
Fauquier County Parks and Recreation—www.fauquiercounty.gov
Volunteer contributions of time, energy and experience are welcome. With many parks, recreation centers, trails, lakes and historic sites, the volunteer opportunities include park maintenance, event coordination, re-enactments, fundraising, bike and road race assistance, graphics and computer consulting.
Fauquier FISH (For Immediate Sympathetic Help—www.fauquierfish.org
Volunteer opportunities for this food distribution center in Warrenton include sorting and stocking the shelves in their facility, assembling dinner kits, shopping and coupon clipping.
One-on-one assistance
People Helping People—www.fauquierphp.com
PHP provides emergency financial assistance for county residents undergoing uncontrollable hardship through loss of employment, death in the family or medical issues. Funded by local businesses, churches and grants, the all-volunteer office staff assists needy clients by appointment Monday–Thursday from 9:00am to noon.
Fauquier Hospital— www.fauquierhealth.org
The Cuddlers are a carefully trained group of volunteers whose task is to comfort infants born addicted to opioids [Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)] Cuddlers must hold each baby close and steady for 2-3 hours straight, while medications work to reverse the ill effects of their addiction. Note: Would-be Cuddlers must volunteer in other parts of the hospital for six months before their consideration.
Hospice of the Piedmont—www.hopva.orgwww.hopva.org
Well-trained volunteers contribute their time, talents and compassion through in-home visits, meal prep and transportation for patients and families; support groups and a listening ear, bereavement calls; fundraisers, camp for kids; clerical services such as filing and copying.
Driving
VolTran volunteer drivers www.voltran.org
Seniors citizens want to maintain their independence. To do so, they need a convenient, affordable way to get to their doctor’s appointments. With fixed-incomes and no relatives nearby, they call VolTran. This network of volunteer drivers spends numerous hours chauffeuring clients to appointments, get groceries and pick up prescriptions.
A Little Heart—www.alittleheartcharity.org
Volunteers pick up donated books and drive them to a distribution center in Plains, Virginia for delivery to underprivileged, abused and neglected children in Fauquier County.
Military
American Legion www.legion.org
Volunteer opportunities provide millions of hours of free community service, assistance at VA medical facilities and help at military installations each year. To find local posts visit www.legion.org/posts
Veterans of Foreign Wars www.vfw.org
VFW programs and services geared to America’s veterans and military families benefit education, the environment, health sciences and civic projects.
By Sharon Hammel
