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Meet Community Champion Willie Bailey
This time of year brings many traditions; caroling, holiday parties and holiday light shows. One tradition that has been ongoing for more than two decades in our community has been the Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue annual Toy Drive at Penn Daw Fire Station #11. Willie Bailey and the Friends have been teaming up bringing holiday joy to thousands of kids who may not experience many gifts during this season of giving. But the tradition of giving back doesn't stop there. Willie spearheads donation drives all year long from back-to-school haircuts and backpack giveaways to warm winter coats that students pick out themselves. Willie is an incredible advocate for all children, always supporting as many people as possible with a smile on his face. "When we are not running 911 emergencies, we are trying to find other ways to help the community" says Willie about our firefighters' ethos.
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Willie Bailey and new Franconia District School Board Member, Marcia St. John-Cunning | |
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Willie has been a firefighter for 32 years and is a retired veteran of the U.S. Army, serving 21 years. Willie says that working in and for the community is the best part of his job. He is a community advocate, works with many local nonprofit organizations and sits on the Board of Directors for Operation Warm, the largest nonprofit coat distributor in the country.
I first met Willie when I was serving on the School Board and saw his commitment to the community and how much time and energy he devoted to helping our community succeed. Willie dedicates most of his focus on the Mount Vernon and Franconia Districts due to his decades of work along Richmond Highway. He says, "I got close to the community, the schools and nonprofits that support the area." Willie founded Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue in 1998 to meet a growing need in our community. He is a beloved member of our fire fighting team and his work with the Friends has made a tremendous difference with kids, families, and school counselors, caregivers and teachers. Willie has created longlasting traditions and provided resources in our community that have become well known and deeply appreciated by everyone! Thank you, Willie, for being a great friend and for your decades of service to our neediest.
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On Wednesday, December 13, I was proud to be sworn in for my third term as Supervisor for the Mount Vernon District. Thank you for your incredible support. It is truly an honor and a privilege to represent you and I'm excited and ready to serve for another four years. Missed the ceremony? Watch it here. | |
Community Information & Events | |
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Winter Weather Preparations
Winter weather has begun and it's important to know all the ways to stay safe during snow, ice and low temperatures. Here is a list of links to help you stay prepared:
Follow on X/Twitter for safety and weather updates:
Sign up for Fairfax County Emergency Alerts.
Follow the Fairfax County Emergency Blog.
Check out the County's webpages:
Travel tips:
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2024 First Hike Photo Contest
The amazingly popular First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest returns for 2024! Grab your coats and cameras and join the fun on New Year’s Day along more than 334 miles of Park Authority trails. Visit any Fairfax County Park Authority trail on Monday, January 1, 2024. Take a photo to commemorate the experience and submit it online before noon on Tuesday, January 2. The photo submission link will be posted on the Park Authority website by 7 a.m. on January 1. Learn more.
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Winter Camp and Teens in Action
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) offers structured out-of-school time programs during Fairfax County Public School breaks. These programs offer fun and creative opportunities to help students develop valuable life skills and make positive social connections. Winter Camp and Teens in Action will hold two sessions for students this winter break:
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December 18-21, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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December 26-29, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Learn more about Winter Camp (1st-6th grade) and Teens in Action (7th-12th grade).
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New Engine at Woodlawn Fire Station #24
A new Engine 424 was placed in service at the end of November at Fire Station 24 in Woodlawn. Learn about the engine:
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In Service Date: November 29, 2023
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Location: Woodlawn Fire Station #24; 8701 Lukens Lane
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Apparatus Designation: Engine 424
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Daily Minimum Staffing: 4 personnel every day for a 24-hour shift
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Type of Vehicle: 2023 Pierce Enforcer Pumper
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Vehicle Cost: $779,217.00 including communications equipment
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Celebrating 40 Years of Huntington Metro: A Legacy of Connectivity
Forty years ago, on December 17, 1983, the Huntington Metro, along with Braddock Road, King Street and Eisenhower Avenue stations, opened on the Yellow Line. This milestone marked the completion of the 4.2-mile stretch from National Airport to Huntington. The Huntington Station was Fairfax County's first Metro station and the first station beyond the Capital Beltway, solidifying Metrorail’s future as an integrated short-stop and commuter transit system.
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Mount Vernon at Home Vaccination Clinic
Thursday, December 21, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane
Mount Vernon at Home, in coordination with Sherwood Regional Library and Safeway's Mobile Vaccine Unit, will be hosting a vaccination clinic. Both Pfizer and Moderna COVID boosters, flu, pneumonia, tetanus, shingles and RSV (ages 60 and over) vaccines will be offered. Reserve your spot now by calling Sandy at (703) 303-4060. Bring your insurance information.
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The Residences at North Hill
NOW LEASING! Residences at North Hill is a family and senior rental community along Richmond Highway. Apartments are affordable to households at 30%, 50% and 60% Average Median Income (AMI) (see chart below) and include a modern living space and kitchen. Learn more.
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Inova Awards $1.2M in Funding to Local Nonprofits Supporting Health Equity
In support of improving health equity across Northern Virginia, Inova’s Division of Community Health and Health Equity provides funds to nonprofit organizations whose mission is to address the health needs of under-resourced communities. This year, Inova awarded $1.2 million in Health Equity Opportunities funding to 17 nonprofits and six partner organizations across the region.
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Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation New Mural
Have you seen something new along the Richmond Highway corridor? The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC) and its sponsors have commissioned the second mural project along Richmond Highway. This mural is located on the side of Zips Dry Cleaning at 6216 N Kings Highway. Learn more and check out Nico Cathcart's artwork entitled, "Fabric of the Community."
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Library of Things: Meters and Readers
This holiday shopping season…don’t buy it, borrow it at Fairfax County Public Library for FREE. From laser thermometers and battery testers to air quality monitors, nine different types of meters have joined the Library of Things. Dozens of other helpful items are also available to check out for free with your library card such as games, Connect Chromebook Kits, Conserve Energy Kits, Hands-On History kits, early literacy Launchpad tablets, nature backpacks and thermal cameras. Learn more.
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Fairfax County's THRIVE Program
Fairfax County’s new THRIVE Program is accepting applications through December 21, offering 600 businesses up to $10K in expert consulting. Perfect for home-based, sole proprietors or small businesses with ≤49 employees. This is your chance for FREE help in digital marketing, financial planning and more! Learn more.
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George Mason Provides Mental Health Services for the Community
Mason’s new Center for Community Mental Health, located at 9900 Main Street, Suite 400, Fairfax, provides evidence-based, accessible, affordable and culturally sensitive therapy and testing services to those in need, regardless of income. The center sees children as young as age 5, and works with community members of various ages, including addressing the mental health needs of veterans. The center’s Emotional Help Line provides FREE, anonymous, confidential support in both English, (703) 215-1898 and Spanish, (703) 914-3878. The line is open daily from 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Learn more.
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Reduce Your Waste This Holiday Season
Happy Holidays from Clean Fairfax! Did you know that the average American household creates 25% more waste during the holiday season? This is the perfect time of year to add a couple of easy, green traditions to your festivities! Learn about ways you can reduce you holiday waste.
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Revitalizing Richmond Highway
We are revitalizing our Highway in preparation for the upcoming Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system - "The One", here are some before/after photos of the VDOT right of way demolitions that are helping us clean up our community.
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Mount Vernon Auto Repair - Hybla Valley | | |
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During demolition
Photo: Mike Salmon
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8340 Richmond Highway - Next to the Gerry Hyland Government Center | |
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Mount Vernon Rec Center Updates
The Mount Vernon Rec Center renovation and expansion project is continuing on schedule. Recent work includes expanding the existing building toward the parking lot, including the placement of concrete walls and the lower floor concrete slab, as shown in the photographs. Steel erection in this area will start in mid-December and continue for approximately two months. Work on the second ice rink is also progressing, with footers constructed and palettes of masonry block being staged for construction. Learn more about the project.
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Concrete delivery to work area. | |
Recent slab in SW corner. | |
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Footer and wall prep for new ice rink. | |
New wall facing parking lot. | |
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Laurel Hill Central Green Restrooms Update
The Laurel Hill Central Green Restroom Building project is continuing on schedule and is 60% completed. Currently the contractor is working on installing doors and hardware, installing roof steel framing and installing cold form steel studs above the windows. All exterior work including the site grading and the concrete sidewalks around the building are complete. Learn more.
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