At Tuesday's Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board designated October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, October 6-12 as Fire Prevention Week, and recognized Fairfax County's first-ever Chief Equity Officer Karla Bruce for her 25 years of dedicated service.

The Board held a Volunteer Fire Awards Ceremony and recognized excellent volunteers, including the following in Providence District and countywide:

Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department

• Volunteer BLS Provider Maria Monroy-Osorio
• EMS Rookie Rena Yuan

Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

• Team Award CERT Canteen Group

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Association

• Team Award SAFER Grant Committee

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

• Special Recognition Award Battalion Chief Cory Key

Additionally, we held a public hearing and approved SE 2024-PR-00006 to permit a medical care facility on 7234 Arlington Blvd. in Falls Church. The applicant, VHC Health, proposes to demolish the existing Graham Center shopping center and construct a 14,000 sq. ft. combined free-standing 24-hour emergency room and urgent care facility with medical office uses. The combined facility will have up to 20 employees on site and is expected to serve up to 19,500 patients a year.

Lastly, the Board voted in favor of increasing environmental protections in Fairfax County. Department Staff presented language which amends and coordinates Fairfax County ordinances with laws passed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to protect the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac Watersheds, trees and tidal wetlands.

Providence Year-in-Review

This past year has been one of growth, connection, and achievement. I am thrilled to share the first Providence Year-in-Review, a celebration of our community's accomplishments and memorable moments from September 2023 to now.

Providence Spotlight

Sue Kovach Shuman serves as the Providence representative on the History Commission, a dedicated historian with extensive experience as a reporter and editor for outlets including The Washington Post and the American Embassy in Paris. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from Pennsylvania State University, an M.A. in Journalism with a minor in Urban Studies from the University of Maryland, and certifications in Public History and Historic Preservation.

Sue authored the book “Mantua” and actively volunteers for the Turkey Trot race in her neighborhood. Sue recently worked with the Office of Historic Alexandria and has served on the Fairfax County History Commission and the Confederate Names Task Force since 2021. She conducts interviews for the Providence Perspectives oral history project and founded the Mantua Neighbor Network for older adults. In 2018, she was recognized as a Lady Fairfax.

In her spare time, she leads the Historical Society of Fairfax County and the Mantua Citizens’ Association and has served on the boards of several local organizations. Thank you, Sue, for your dedication to our community!

Hurricane Helene Support

Are you looking to support those affected by Hurricane Helene? Right now, the best way to make a meaningful impact is by donating cash to the 2024 Southwest Virginia Disaster Relief Fund and volunteering with trusted organizations. Your contributions will provide essential resources to those in need.

Makeup Campaign for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and the Fairfax County Police Department's Victim Services Division hosts a campaign to support victims and survivors of domestic violence by collecting new, unopened beauty products to create gift bags filled with care and hope. These serve as reminders that survivors are seen, valued, and worthy of joy. Your donation can help empower those who’ve faced unimaginable challenges.

Smaller Lake Accotink Preservation Feasibility Study

Community feedback is being solicited on a study to determine how best to preserve a smaller Lake Accotink for a sustainable future. This survey is intended to ensure the community has input on the questions being addressed by the study and to build lines of communication with the public to share information and collect feedback as the study progresses.

The survey will close on October 20th.

Battery Recycling

The Fairfax County Solid Waste Sustainability Team is implementing a battery collection initiative, which is being funded by plastic bag tax monies.

In support of Board-approved Zero-Waste goals for the county, my office is now collecting batteries for recycling.

Fairfax Connector's Indigenous Peoples' Day Service Schedule

On Monday, October 14th, Fairfax Connector will operate on a Holiday Weekday schedule in observance of Indigenous People's Day.

Trek & Treat

Explore Tysons with an exciting Tysons Trek & Treat event through November 10th! Discover local businesses, enjoy seasonal treats, and collect fun rewards along the way. Don’t miss out—grab your friends and family and embark on this adventure!

LEAP into Literacy Program

Parents and teachers can help K-12 students strengthen their literacy skills with resources developed by George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development educators. The Literacy Engagement Action Project (LEAP) focuses on developing language comprehension and word recognition to reinforce skilled reading. The resources are FREE and available in English and Spanish, including a book and video library.

Nominations for the Martha Glennan Award

Do you know an individual or organization that excels in providing equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities in the Fairfax area? If so, nominate them for the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board’s 2024 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Award. Award winners are honored for demonstrating a commitment to promoting equal rights and community inclusion for people with disabilities and receive an award, presented at an annual awards ceremony on Monday, December 9th at 6:30 pm at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Nominations are due before 5 pm on Friday, October 18th.