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Issue 133
Friday 23, 2022
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
I often say how lucky I am because I love serving as your Chair. Daily I have the privilege of helping to make Prince William County a better place to live. So, it's not often I say I'm envious of what someone else does, but it did happened to me on Sunday, when I met Sarah Tyndall, founder and Executive Director of Boxes of Basics. The non-profit, which started in her basement in 2017, provides clothes for children in need.
It is obvious from its growth, that Boxes of Basics is filling one of the three basic needs of our communities - food, clothing and shelter. It is well run and, most importantly, having a profound impact. Sarah Tyndall's simple act of seeing a need and trying to fill it, turned a vision into a mission that makes a real difference in children’s lives. Every day, Ms. Tyndall (and her over 100 rotating volunteers) get to use their collective positive energy to help others, to fight for something good that serves others, and our community as a whole is better off.
The Boxes of Basics visit was particularly impactful because it came on the heels of participating in Saturday's ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new PWC Animal Services Shelter. Children, animals and the elderly. All three are vulnerable groups who need our attention and energy at the most basic levels. I hope you will read more about these two events in the first two articles below and consider using your positive energy to add to our community. I know I am inspired to do so.
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Saturday, September 17, Chair Wheeler participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new PWC Animal Services Shelter (issue 130). At the event were informational tables featuring community groups and partners, including the Prince William SPCA and Prince William Humane Society, who were instrumental in supporting and advocating for the new center. | |
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PWC Animal Control Bureau
The Animal Services Shelter is operated by the PWC Police Department's Animal Control Bureau. Led by Division Chief Anthony Cleveland, it is also responsible for enforcing animal welfare laws and conducting animal education seminars. Animal Control Officers enforce animal care and control laws, investigate complaints of animal cruelty and neglect, quarantine animals that have bitten humans, provide 24-hour service for injured animals and other animal emergencies, provide public education on animal laws and animal care in disasters, and remove stray animals from streets and public areas.
Additionally, the Animal Advisory Committee, which is comprised of thirteen members, serves in a consultative capacity to the BOCS. It is charged with advising on policies; increasing community outreach; seeking outside grant funds for animal welfare; providing support as requested to Animal Care & Control Services; and making recommendations on educational and special event programs.
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Sunday, September 18, Chair Wheeler attended an Open House at Box of Basics (issue 49 Hometown Hero). The non-profit was founded by Haymarket resident Sarah Tyndall (pictured below) on the belief that every child deserves to have their basic clothing needs met. Its mission is to provide children in need with a seasonal box of quality new and gently used clothing in their size.
There are several ways you can support Box of Basics. Volunteer opportunities include sorting clothing, packing boxes, delivering boxes to the local referring community partner, organizing a donation drive, or being a community ambassador. You can donate needed new items through its Amazon wish list or Walmart SparkGood registry. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated.
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The first Boxes of Basics were delivered to two local foster children a little girl (6T) and boy (3T) in the Fall of 2018. Since then, through the ongoing of the support of our local community, it has been able to deliver over 1300 Boxes of Basics to children in need! | | | |
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Learn More
Each Box of Basics contains a season's wardrobe of quality clothing based on the child's age, size and gender. Boxes are packed with a variety of outfits, pants, shirts, dresses, jackets, shoes, socks pajamas and one “Sunday Best” outfit. Care is taken in preparing the box and final packaging, so that when a child receives their Box of Basics it feels like they are opening a gift. Learn more in the video below.
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Helping to Keep Pedestrians Safe | |
Monday, September 19, Chair Wheeler participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Old Bridge Road (Tackett's Mill) sidewalk project. The almost 1,000 feet of new sidewalk, located on the south side of Old Bridge Road from Tackett's Mill Shopping Center to Minnieville Road, makes it easier and safer for pedestrians to walk beside the busy road that serves 37,000 vehicles each day. The County received a federal grant for 70% of the project, which fits with the mobility chapter addressing future transportation needs of the County’s Pathway to 2040: Comprehensive Plan Update (issue 129). | |
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“Pedestrian projects like the Old Bridge Road Sidewalk support the county’s commitment to equity by providing safe, accessible transportation options for residents without vehicles. It supports our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by expanding the non-motorized transportation network. These projects also help support our land use goals for creating walkable communities to foster recreational opportunities and economic growth...I strongly encourage all of you to visit our Pathway to 2040 website to provide your input on the future of mobility in Prince William so that the County can continue to deliver projects, like this sidewalk, that have a direct impact on improving quality of life for our residents.”
Ann Wheeler
Chair At-Large Board of County Supervisors
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Chair Wheeler participated in the Ground Breaking event for CASA's Welcome Center in Woodbridge. The Welcome Centers serve as hubs, providing a safe space for members and the community to gather, organize and access work and resources. The Woodbridge Center replaces a smaller location and is currently offering services while renovations to the new space are ongoing. Completion date for the renovations is dependent on contributions, which support CASA's mission in Virginia to be an effective agent of change for communities of color and working-class families.
Pictured with Chair Wheeler in top left corner is Casa Virginia State Director Luis Aguilar.
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John Jenkin's life was defined by his service to others. He was a two-tour Vietnam veteran, who earned the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and retired as a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel after 24 years of service. He also served 23 years with Fairfax County Schools. John represented the people of the Neasbco Magisterial District on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors for 36 years, the longest serving Supervisor in the history of the County. He passed away February 6, 2019. | | | |
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Friday, September 23, Chair Wheeler joined a small group for a tour of the Americans in Wartime Experience Tank Farm in Bristow hosted by Dennis Brant, the Chief Executive Officer (pictured top left corner speaking to group). The tour was held in advance of this weekend's annual Open House.
Learn more about the Open House in the Don't Forget section below.
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Tuesday, October 11
2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Links to the agenda and to register to participate in Public Comment Time remotely will be shared in issue prior to the meeting.
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Proclamations at the Tuesday, September 20, Meeting | |
Proclaimed, Thursday, September 22, Car Free Day, a worldwide event that encourages greener methods of travel and commuting. Car Free Day supports PWC's 2021 - 2024 Strategic Plan Transportation & Mobility goal (page 34). PWC residents are invited to support Car Free Day by teleworking and trying alternative forms of transportation such as bicycling, walking, transit, and “carlite” methods such as carpools and vanpools in a safe and healthy manner. | |
Meagan Landis, Senior Business Services Analyst in PWC Department of Transportation, accepted the proclamation. | |
Proclaimed October 9 through 15 Fire Prevention Week. This year's theme is Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape! The majority of fires occur in homes where families feel safest. Residents are encouraged to develop and regularly practice a home fire escape plan that meets the needs of all their family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities. Families that have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire. | |
Acting Fire and Rescue Chief James Forgo of PWC Fire and Rescue (center holding proclamation) and members of the PWC Fire Marshal's Office accepted the proclamation. | |
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Reasons native trees are important include:
- Native trees and shrubs are adapted to our climate.
- Natives provide habitat and nesting sites.
- Native trees feed the caterpillars that "grow" the baby birds.
- Natives soak up runoff and clean our water.
- Natives preserve the unique landscape appearance that give Northern Virginia its sense of place.
- Landscaping with native plants can combat climate change.
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Early in-person voting in PWC for the 2022 General Election starts Friday, September 23. You can find comprehensive voter information at PWC Office of Elections' website, PWCVotes and Virginia Department of Elections. You can find detailed information on when and where you can cast your early in-person vote below. | |
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Monday through Friday
Friday, September 23 through Friday, November 4
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Additional Locations Open
Tuesday, October 25 through Friday, November 4
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Weekends - All Five Locations
Saturday, October 29, and Saturday, November 5
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 30
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
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If You Need to Register to Vote | |
Two Big Annual Events Happening this Weekend | |
Saturday, September 24, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the PWC Police Department is hosting its second annual Community Fair at Sean Connaughton Plaza of the McCourt Government Complex at 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge. A host of County agencies will be on hand to register voters, sign up election officer volunteers, adopt a companion animal, complete a Child ID form for children’s safety, sign up to receive emergency alerts, learn about employment opportunities with the Police, Fire & Rescue and Public Safety Communications agencies, and so much more! Check out the video of last year's inaugural Community Fair. | |
Saturday, September 24, and Sunday September 25, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, PWC's Tank Farm is holding an Open House and hosting the Americans in Wartime Experience. Located at 13906 Aden Road in Bristow, the Tank Farm will have 50 vehicles on display and an additional dozen that will be demonstrated. Over a hundred living historians will help bring the event to life and the Voices of Freedom will be conducting interviews both days. There will be K9 demonstrations, children’s activities, food vendors, flame thrower demonstrations, and more. You can get a taste of the experience in this video. Register in advance and make a donation here or at the gate. | |
Giving Back to the Community | |
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How to Get Vaccinated (including boosters):
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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. | | | | | |
