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Issue 93
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Prince William County
Dear Neighbors,

As we enter into the season of giving thanks, I want to share that one of the things I am most grateful for this year, is being able to engage in person with the residents of Prince William County. It really wasn't long after I became Chair At-Large of the Board of County Supervisors, that we moved into a virtual world.

When I had thought about how I could best serve the residents of the County, virtually was far from what I envisioned. Now, when I look back over the past few months of The Wheeler Report, I smile at all the ways I have been able to safely meet in person with the community in my Chair's Calendar articles. Just this last week, I was able to meet with community members on two separate occasions to discuss their concerns regarding transportation and non-profits' capacity for giving.

I hope everyone finds much to be grateful for this year. Please know, for me, you are at the top of the list.

In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Giving Thanks
For those celebrating Thanksgiving this year, below are some tips to keep you healthy and safe. If you are:
On Monday, November 22, Chair Wheeler and Occoquan Magisterial District Supervisor Kenny Boddye helped CASA for All distribute turkeys to members of the community.
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Some Ways to Give Back
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 27, is Small Business Saturday. PWC is home to 1000s of small businesses, which places us 7th on the list of most small businesses within a jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unfortunately, while many of small businesses are continuing to navigate, retool and pivot due to the pandemic, they are now also faced with significant supply chain issues. This may be the perfect year to start holiday shopping at your local small businesses.  
To locate and learn more about the wide variety of great small businesses in our County, go to the Visit PWC website.
Giving Tuesday
Tuesday, November 30, is Giving Tuesday. Created in 2012, what started as a simple idea of a day where people are encouraged to do good, has grown into a global movement. Participating is easy! Whether you give your voice, goods, time, or money, being generous is a way to help people in need. Be on the lookout for donation match opportunities from organizations and businesses. Learn ways to get involved here.  
Wreaths Across America
Saturday, December 18, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Wreaths Across America will be at Quantico National Cemetery. The event Remembers and Honors our veterans through the laying of Remembrance Wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. You can get involved by sponsoring a wreath, volunteering to help, and/or helping to get the word out to others. To participate in the placing of wreaths you must preregister here. Please contact Fred at Fred@novavets.org with any volunteering questions.
Volunteer Prince William's annual Untrim-a-Tree program provides two gifts to local children valued at not more than $50-$75 per child (about 1000 children in our area still need sponsors!). It also provides baskets for homebound seniors with things like card games, crossword puzzles, hand cream, warm socks, lap throws or wraps.

To get involved, you can:

If you are looking for other ways to give back during the holiday season, check out Volunteer Prince William's November 19 Call to Action.
The Salvation Army of Prince William County provides much-needed emergency services to families every day. It has kicked off its holiday season and below you will find several different opportunities to get involved!
The U. S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots is underway through Sunday, December 12. To participate, you can drop off a new and unwrapped toy at:

You can also donate monetarily to the local campaign here.
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Some Ways to Get into the Spirit
Friday, November 26, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center at 15201 Potomac Town Place in Woodbridge is hosting its annual Tree Lighting. Activities for the whole family include face painting, carnival games, balloon art, and ice carving. Carriage rides are free with a donation of a canned good to ACTS.
Friday, December 3, at 5:15 pm, Santa Lights Manassas, also known as the Tree Lighting, will take place at 9201 Center Street in Manassas. A fixture in the Manassas community for over 27 years, the magical evening begins with holiday musical performances, shortly after 6:00 pm Santa will arrive on the VRE train at the Manassas Depot, and the tree lighting follows at 6:35 pm. Afterwards, Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet all the children. Families can also enjoy free wagon rides and the Harris Pavilion Ice Rink will be open for business as well as the downtown shops and restaurants.
Saturday, December 4, at 10:00 am, is the 75th annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade. This year's theme is ‘Right Down Santa Claus Lane.' One of the largest holiday parades in Northern Virginia, the two-hour event will have marching bands, floats, high-flying balloons, and more! there will be approximately 2,000 participants and over 300 volunteers. You can view the parade route here and find FAQs about the event here.
Saturday, December 4, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, bring the family & friends for a stroll on the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk for Rocking Around the Boardwalk, a unique holiday display of decorated trees. The special holiday event will also have music and S'mores. Wear your winter finest, including those ugly holiday sweaters and enjoy this one-of-a-kind treat.
Tuesday, December 14, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and Saturday, December 18, from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm meet the jolliest elf in town at the National Museum of the Marine Corps! Holiday themed activities and crafts will be available while waiting to meet St. Nick. Admission is free and guests must provide their own camera. Learn more here.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
The Hylton has curated such a fantastic line-up of holiday performances this year, you are sure to find one (or more) must-see events! Use the links below to learn more about the performances, showtimes, and purchase tickets. Check out the video to get a preview of Jane Lynch's A Swingin' Little Christmas.
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Celebrating the Festival of Lights
Hanukkah, the Jewish eight-day “festival of lights,” begins at sunset on Sunday, November 28, and ends at nightfall, Monday, December 6. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication,” and celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, during which a one-day supply of oil for the Menorah lasted eight days.

The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah (or hanukkiah). One candle, called the shamash, is typically placed above or below the others. Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other festivities include playing the game of dreidel and eating special foods.
Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 482,000 residents.