Non-Profits Archives - Potomac Local News

Published November 11, 2025 at 4:14PM

“Grow Your Own Vegetable Garden” free class will be at House of Mercy Tuesday November 17, 7-9pm. You must register for this class. Dinner will be served.

“Join us for the annual Stuff the Truck Toy Drive and help bring the magic of Christmas to life!” House of Mercy announced. “Your donation of a new, unwrapped toy makes a meaningful impact, ensuring a happy holiday for a child in need.”

The event supports the organization’s Christmas with Mercy program, which last year provided more than 6,000 new toys to over 1,300 local children. This year’s drive is a simple, drive-up, drop-off event taking place Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8170 Flannery Court in Manassas.

Features

Empowerhouse marks 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil honoring domestic violence survivors

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 29, 2025 at 10:07PM

“We were honored to take part in this vital community event,” the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office stated. “Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office is one of only three law enforcement agencies in the area with an Empowerhouse Advocate co-located within their office.”

Empowerhouse hosted its 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil on October 25, 2025, to honor and celebrate survivors of domestic violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The nonprofit provides free, confidential support services for survivors and their children, focusing on safety, healing, and empowerment. Empowerhouse’s 24-hour hotline is 540-373-9373.

Prince William

Manassas gets ready for MercyFest 2025

By Press Release

Published September 22, 2025 at 8:30PM

GAINESVILLE, Va. – MercyFest is almost here, and this is your last chance to get tickets at $15 online before prices go up. It’s happening Saturday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at House of Mercy, 8170 Flannery Court, Manassas, and it’s shaping up to be a massive day of food, fun, and community.

MercyFest is the annual fundraiser put on by House of Mercy, a nonprofit that helps families across Northern Virginia with its food pantry, thrift store, and donation center. It serves over 100 families every day, and last year provided groceries, clothing, and other basics to thousands—impacting more than 50 zip codes in the region.

Features

Sweet Julia Grace Foundation Receives $15,000 Grant to Support Children Facing Medical Crises

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 25, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated February 25, 2025 at 10:32AM

Sarah Knight (right) poses with a "Rain Dancer."

The Sweet Julia Grace Foundation (SJGF) has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. The grant will fund an expanded iPad and technology program designed to comfort, connect, and entertain children with complex medical conditions.

The grant will provide iPads, gaming systems, TVs, computers, and adaptive technology to hospitalized children who are homebound or frequently travel for medical care.

Fairfax

Workhouse Arts Center Collaborates with OAR NOVA for Annual Toy Drive

By Teresa Davidson

Published December 5, 2024 at 9:09PM

The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia, is hosting its Annual Toy Drive in partnership with OAR NOVA to support local families affected by the criminal justice system. Running through December 8, the community is encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys at drop-off locations across the Workhouse campus. The drive aims to bring holiday joy while emphasizing the center’s commitment to creativity, compassion, and community engagement. For more information, visit the Workhouse Arts Center’s website.

Press Release:

Features

Mary Washington Hospice’s Seventh Annual Light Up a Life Raises Over $30,000

By Teresa Davidson

Published November 21, 2024 at 9:57AM

Mary Washington Hospital

Press Release:

Mary Washington Hospice hosted its seventh annual Light Up a Life Illumination event on Thursday, November 14. This special event allowed community members to purchase luminaries in their loved ones’ memory. Over 320 individuals were honored, and their names were read aloud by the hospice team during an intimate program at Mary Washington Hospital.

Features

Leadership Prince William Class of 2025 Kicks Off with Passing of the Torch

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 12, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated September 12, 2024 at 8:42PM

Haney

Heather Haney, a participant in the Leadership Prince William Signature Program Class of 2025, shared her journey with the organization, reflecting on how it began with the Emerging Leaders Program. Haney’s involvement in Leadership Prince William started in 2018 after a friend encouraged her to apply.

“I was in a tough headspace at the time, working on launching my own business,” Haney said. “My friend, who was already involved with Leadership Prince William, suggested I give it a try.”

News

66 Express Donates Power-Packing Time, $10K to Food For Others

By Aya Karouane

Published September 11, 2024 at 10:30AM

[Image: I-66 Express]

Press Release:

Yesterday, at the warehouse operated by Northern Virginia food pantry Food For Others, employees and associates of I-66 Express Mobility Partners (I-66 EMP), the builder and operator of the 66 Express Outside the Beltway, packed a grand total of 660 Power Packs for the area’s school-aged children.

Fredericksburg

Fighting Hunger: VACU, FredNats Partnership a ‘Home Run’ With $11,710 Donation to Fredericksburg Food Bank

By Aya Karouane

Published September 9, 2024 at 1:00PM

[Image: Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank]

Press Release:

Virginia Credit Union (VACU) and the Fredericksburg Nationals have donated $11,710 to combat hunger and food insecurity in the Central Rappahannock River area. Through a partnership with the FredNats, the Fredericksburg-based minor league baseball team, VACU makes a $5 donation to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank for every strikeout recorded by the Nationals’ pitchers during the course of the season. The FredNats matched VACU’s $5,855 donation.

Health

Community Comes Together for Health Fair at Winners Church in Triangle

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 2, 2024 at 8:00AM

On Friday, August 30, 2024, the parking lot of Winners Church at 17877 Old Triangle Road transformed into a bustling center of health and wellness. Community members gathered for a comprehensive health fair aimed at providing crucial medical screenings and education to the uninsured and underinsured.

The event, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., was a partnership between Winners Church and Sentara Healthcare, marking a new collaborative effort to enhance community health services. This year’s fair featured a vital addition—a mobile mammogram van from Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center offering free cancer screenings.