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HolidayEntertainment

Page 8

WellbeingPage 9

Officer Rochefort HonoredNews, Page 5

Our Neighbor’s Child Helps Local FamiliesOpinion, Page 7

Honoring Special EducationBusiness Partners

News, Page 3

Chantilly High serves breakfast to its special education business partners.

2 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 6-12, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Chantilly Connection ❖ December 6-12, 2017 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

See Special Education, Page 12

News

By Bonnie Hobbs

Chantilly High’s special educa-tion business partners certainlydon’t lend their support to theschool because of the thank-

you breakfast they receive each year. Buteveryone likes to be appreciated and, whenit comes to this breakfast, it’s as heartfeltas it is delicious.

This year’s breakfast was no exception,and career and transition resource teacherSue Collins gave the attendees a warm wel-come.

“Your story is about making true connec-tions that have a direct impact on ourChantilly students and families,” she toldthem. “You provide meaningful, work-based, learning opportunities and intern-ships that build and enhance your students’skills, confidence and self-respect.”

The school also acknowledged thebreakfast’s sponsors. Pohanka Auto Group,Securis and Little Lords and Ladies providedfinancial support, and Bob Evans furnishedthe biscuits and gravy; Comfort Suites, pa-per goods and juice; First Watch, coffee,condiments, bananas and muffins; and Gi-ant, a gift card to buy the fruit.

“Ten years ago, our budget was cut, andwe thought our breakfast celebration wouldcease,” said Collins. “We reached out to ourbusiness partner, Debbie Mowery, then aBob Evans employee. She [contacted] BobEvans, and they provided biscuits and gravy.We approached Jeremy Farber from Securis,and he provided a generous donation.”

Recognized, as well, were three entitiesthat have partnered with Chantilly’s specialeducation career classes for 25 years: TheFairfax County Department of Housing andCommunity Development, the county ParkAuthority/E.C. Lawrence Park and Bob

Evans. Honored for 20 years as partnerswere the county’s Therapeutic Recreationoffice and Fairfax County’s Office for Chil-dren, plus several businesses for 10 and fiveyears.

Among those attending the recent break-fast was Deb Barrett of The Women’s Clubin Chantilly. A fitness center and day spafor women, it’s been a Chantilly High busi-ness partner for seven years.

“Chantilly students come to us to learnwork skills, assisting with childcare for ourclients’ children,” said Barrett. “It’s a greatprogram — great kids come out of thisschool. It’s important to be involved in thecommunity and help children see what their

true skill set is and to empower them. Ev-eryone needs an opportunity.”

Erica Cohen works for FCPS’ Career andTransition Services and is one of four teach-ers in the county who teachers educationfor employment for the office. She instructstwo classes of 15 students each in computer,business and social skills.

“The kids come from Westfield,Centreville, Chantilly, South Lakes, Herndonand Mountain View high schools, and weplace them in more office-related jobs,” saidCohen. “It’s a wonderful program, and SueCollins has been phenomenal as a mentorfor how to work with businesses.”

“We’re all starting to teach coding and

more intensive computer skills,” she con-tinued. “It’s especially good for students onthe autism spectrum because it’s a strengthof theirs for which they can be appreciated.One of the businesses that has been verysuccessful in growing job opportunities formy students is Quest Diagnostics ofChantilly. A whole team of students doesdata entry for them. Even a nonverbal kidworked there, and the amount of produc-tive work he did was astounding. And nowwe’re expanding our program with them.”

Regina Mauren, employment transitionrepresentative at Herndon High, also helpsplace special ed students in jobs. “We can’tprovide job experiences for our studentswithout our business partners,” she said.“We’re grateful for them opening up theirwork environments so students can becomeresponsible workers.”

Agreeing, Maggie Contreras, career andtransition service specialist at WoodsonHigh, said, “This is a really important pro-gram because it helps get our students outin the community and prepare them for reallife.” She said some 25-30 Woodson stu-dents participate, and Fairfax High studentstake part, too.

Regarding the Chantilly breakfast,Contreras said, “It’s just a wonderful event.And it’s great to see so many people in thecommunity supporting our students withdisabilities. And for the students, it’s huge.It gives them that connection with real-lifecareers. They especially learn the soft skillsnecessary for success in any job — such associal, interpersonal and communicationskills — and they’re able to practice anddevelop them.”

Community of Faith United MethodistChurch in Herndon is participating in the

‘People with Disabilities Need Employment’Chantilly High honors its special education business partners.

Dishing up hash browns, sausage, pancakes and scrambled eggs are(from left) FCPS career and transition service specialists Sarah Blake,Sue Eaton and Maggie Contreras.

From left are Jeremy Farmer,Sue Collins and Ken Crum afterthe breakfast.

Together at one of the tables are (from left) Chantilly freshman ChrisHarmic, Allison Moser of Sundog Productions, Chantilly senior AnthonyPhan and the Rev. Beth LaBella-Foster.

Helping serve breakfast areHerndon High employment transi-tion representatives Annie Santeeand Regina Mauren.

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4 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 6-12, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

The Stone Players of OrmondStone Middle School will be tak-ing on the Tony Award-winning

production by Stephen Sondheim andbook by James Lapine this year in theannual school musical.

The group will perform “Into theWoods, Jr.” from Thursday, Dec. 14 toSaturday, Dec. 16 in the Stone MiddleSchool Theater. The musical is about achildless baker and his wife and theirquest to build a family. A witch placed acurse on them and they interact withmany storybook characters such asCinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, andJack and the Beanstalk on their journey.The show is about growing up, accept-ing responsibility, and the consequencesof having one’s wishes fulfilled.

Lois Stanziani directs and choreo-graphs the production with the help of

Assistant Directors John-Nicholas S. Walshand Zack Walsh, Choral Director CharlesQuinlan, and Production AssistantGuillermo Alleyne.

Stanziani, a performer and veteran direc-tor of productions at Stone, said,

The cast and crew of 31 seventh andeighth graders have been practicing sinceSeptember. The roles of the Baker and hisWife are played by veteran eighth gradersNick Werderman, and Ariana Thomas who

were both in last year’s production of “Guysand Dolls Jr.” The Witch is played by KaylaGadley and Jack’s mother is brought to lifeby Emily Miller.

Tickets for the show will be available Mon-

By Ken Moore

Fairfax County police officers fromthe Mount Vernon and Mason dis-trict stations will soon wear bodycameras in a three-month pilot

program designed to determine if all FairfaxCounty police officers will wear the cam-eras in the future.

“We see this as a really wonderful oppor-tunity to better connect our officers on theground and our folks on the street and makesure that everybody has an opportunity towork together and see how that work goes,”said Mount Vernon District Supervisor DanStorck.

The Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Com-mission recommended in 2015 that offic-ers be equipped with the cameras, and theBoard of Supervisors approved the pilotprogram at its board meeting on Nov. 21. Itwill take another few months to get thethree-to-six month pilot program up andrunning.

Braddock District Supervisor John Cook,chairman of the board’s public safety com-mittee, expressed concerns about upcom-ing constraints on the public safety budget.“We are going to have some tough decisionsin public safety and we need good data,”said Cook.

Fairfax County Police Department willpartner with American University to initiatean academic study, which could be extendedfrom 90 days to six months. “Communityadvocates will be at the table to help usmonitor the deployment of the cameras andhow the policy is working,” said Col. EdwinC. Roessler Jr., Chief of Police.

“The pilot body worn program is designedto provide the department with the oppor-tunity to review police-community memberencounters as they occur, as well as pro-vide an additional degree of safety for ourofficers as they patrol the streets,” accord-ing to the Fairfax County Police Department.

The cost of the pilot program is $684,000.Storck asked if all officers from the Mount

Vernon station could use the cameras.“When it comes to evaluating the impacts

of body worn cameras, we are still, as afield, in the early days,” said BradBartholomew, professor at American Uni-versity.

For studies to be effective, “we must en-sure that a group of officers receives thecamera and another group does not,” hesaid. “The more you can control, the moreyou can model, the more believable yourresults may be.”

The study analysis is expected to coverstatistics and community member feedbackto assess the impacts prior to, during andfollowing the pilot program.

“Officers will be expected to activate thecamera during any law enforcement-pub-lic encounter related to a call for service,law enforcement action, subject stop, traf-fic stop, search or police service,” accord-ing to the police department.

Police and a variety of civic groupsworked together on a proposed pilot body-worn camera policy to address personalprivacy rights, transparency and account-ability in police-community member con-tacts. The policy can be modified as neededbased on the pilot.

Read the draft policy atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/board-committees/meetings/2017/oct10-public-safety-body-worn-cameras-draft-policy.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIESWhile addressing deer management and

a lack of predators in Fairfax County, StellaKoch said, “They’ve changed the ecology inYellowstone [National Park], but I don’tthink that it is an option here.”

The Environment Quality Advisory Coun-cil advocates for a full-time wildlife special-ist position in Fairfax County to support thedeer management program as well as theCanada Geese Management Program.

“That position has been needed for a longtime,” said Koch. “We have one person do-ing a significant amount of yeoman’s work.”

On Nov. 21, Koch presented the environ-mental quality annual report, highlightingmajor priorities for 2018, including the needto conduct a countywide survey on thepublic’s view of the “cultural carrying ca-pacity, how people are thinking about deerin this county.”

The advisory council also says the Boardof Supervisors needs to update its 2003Outdoor Lighting Ordinance and needs toimplement a lighting work group. “Since2003 there have been a lot of changes intechnology and also an increase in densityin this county,” said Koch.

“The increasing density of developmentin Fairfax County will invariably lead tomore instances of ‘light trespass,’ wherelights on one property affect another prop-erty,” according to the environmental re-port.

Koch also advocated for increasing theStormwater Service District rate by one-quarter penny, from a rate of 3 cents per$100 assessed real estate value to 3.25 centsper $100.

“As you know, there is an endless backlogof infrastructure that needs replacements,”she said. “We’re making great progress andit’s slow and steady, but we definitely needmore funding.”

“I use this as a model for how we can trackmajor issues,” said Bulova, praising thestructure and quality of the EQAC report.

“When you open the annual report, thefirst thing [you see] is the recommenda-

tions. We think that is important, it is whatthis annual report basically drives us to-ward,” said Koch.

Other priorities include funding of$263,000 required for the Fairfax CountyPark Authority’s natural resource mappingefforts and additional technology.

The public will have an opportunity togive both EQAC and the Board of Supervi-sors feedback in a public hearing scheduledfor Jan. 10, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at the FairfaxCounty Government Center, 12000 Govern-ment Center Parkway.

THE $250,000 MANBryan Hill will be Fairfax County’s next

county executive, effective Jan. 2, 2018.“Selecting a county executive is the most

important hire the Board of Supervisorsundertakes,” said Penny Gross, vice chair-man and Mason District supervisor. “Mr. Hillbrings impressive leadership, management,communications and budget experience toFairfax County.”

“I believe this is the fifth county execu-tive for me and the fourth search,” saidGross.

Hill, currently the James City County, Va.administrator and clerk to its Board of Su-pervisors, will replace Fairfax County Ex-ecutive Edward L. Long, who retired in Sep-tember.

“While [James City County] is a smallerjurisdiction, many of the issues are thesame,” said Bulova. “We are very, very ex-cited to welcome Bryan Hill to TeamFairfax.”

Hill will earn $250,000 per year.Hill has been the James City County ad-

ministrator since 2014, and previouslyserved seven years as the deputy county ad-ministrator with Beaufort County, S.C. Pre-viously, he was the vice chancellor for Fi-nance and Operations at the University ofSouth Carolina’s Beaufort/Bluffton Campusand was director of finance for the Univer-sity of Maryland’s Office of Information andTechnology.

In other business, board hires new countyexecutive and updates environmental priorities.Police To Add Body Cameras

DETAILSWhat: “Into the Woods, Jr.” musical production by

The Stone PlayersWhen: Thursday Dec. 14 at 3 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 15

at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 16 at 3 p.m.Thursday’s performance is presale tickets only.Tickets are sold during lunch shifts Monday-Wednesday at Stone. Price: $7 per ticket.General seating.

Where: Stone Middle School, 5500 Sully Park Dr.Centreville. Phone 703-631-5500

day-Wednesday, Dec. 11-13 at Stone MSduring all lunches. Tickets will also beavailable at the door for the Friday eveningand Saturday performances; Thursday’sperformance is pre-sale tickets only.

StoneMiddleSchoolPlayerswillperform“IntotheWoods,Jr.”nextweek.

Stone Players To Bring ‘Into the Woods, Jr.’ to Stage

Bryan Hill, newcounty executive

Col. Edwin C.Roessler Jr.,Chief of Police

Chantilly Connection ❖ December 6-12, 2017 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

21800 Towncenter PlazaSterling, VA 20164703-450-5453

1051 Edwards Ferry RoadLeesburg, VA 20176703-771-4688

www.sterlingappliance.com

News

By Bonnie Hobbs

PFC Brian G. Rochefort is the Sully DistrictPolice Station’s Officer of the Month forOctober. And although he couldn’t bepresent to receive his award, he was hon-

ored during the Nov. 8 meeting of the station’s Citi-zens Advisory Committee (CAC).

He’s a member of the Traffic Enforcement Teamand was the station’s Officer of the Year in 2015.And Lt. Ryan Morgan, the assistant station com-mander, had high praise for Rochefort in his letternominating him for the award.

“People who travel through the Centreville,Chantilly and Clifton areas understand traffic is amajor concern in the Sully District,” wrote Morgan.“We have all seen a number of motorists who arewilling to drive impaired, distracted or simply drivein a manner which would be out of character formost of us.

“By total number of complaints, traffic-related con-cerns routinely outnumber other worries by a largemargin. As such, officers like PFC Rochefort areneeded and deployed to address those complaintsand focus the majority of their efforts on traffic edu-cation and enforcement.”

Rochefort has been with the Fairfax County PoliceDepartment for eight years. And, wrote Morgan, asthe Sully District Station’s primary traffic officer, “Hehas taken on the lion’s share of community trafficconcerns. These concerns reach the station by vari-ous means, and all are reviewed and verified.”

In an effort to reach motorists and get them todrive the posted speed limit, residents may see

Rochefort programing thestation’s variable messageboards in or adjacent toneighborhoods or settingup vehicle, speed-indicatorsigns where speeding hasbeen reported.

However, when attempts to gain voluntary com-pliance have stalled, he is called upon for traffic en-forcement. “Through Oct. 31, Rochefort issued nearly2,400 traffic citations for various violations,” wroteMorgan. “That equates to having a tough conversa-tion with nearly 240 drivers a month about drivingbehavior.”

Stressing that Rochefort knows the Sully Districtwell and is very familiar with the major roads, Mor-gan said Rochefort is well aware of the particularroads where speeds can approach triple digits, as wellas those secondary roads drivers use to quickly cutthrough local neighborhoods.

“The driving behavior we have all seen by carelessmotorists is unfortunate and puts others in danger,”wrote Morgan. “It is imperative to have officers likePFC Rochefort who are committed to keeping thepublic safe.”

Morgan further noted that Rochefort is “a verypersonable and respected officer who cares deeplyfor the safety of our Sully community and everyonepassing through. If you happen to see him in yourneighborhood, feel free to wave, but make sure youare buckled up and driving the speed limit. It is apleasure having PFC Brian Rochefort serving in theSully District, and he is well-deserving of the CAC’srecognition as Officer of the Month.”

Officer Rochefort Honored

PFC Brian G.Rochefort

6 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 6-12, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Opinion

❖ Cornerstones, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210,Reston, serving Reston and Herndon. 571-323-9555,www.cornerstonesva.org. Nonprofit providingsupport and advocacy for those in need of food,shelter, affordable housing, quality childcare, andother human services. Programs and servicesinclude the Embry Rucker Community Shelter,Emergency Food Pantry, Hypothermia PreventionProgram, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Gifts for Kidsand annual Coat Drive. Gifts will be collected atCornerstones main office, 11150 Sunset Hills Road,Suite 210, Reston, VA 20190 on Thursday, Dec. 7and Friday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec.9, 9 a.m. – noon. Contact Nate King, Donations andDrives Coordinator, at 571-323-9569.

❖ Share of McLean operates a food pantry; providesassistance to families to avoid eviction, keep utilitieson and meet other needs in a crisis. Share ofMcLean will provide holiday assistance to more than250 needy families (630-plus people) this year. Helpneighbors in need by donating money, fulfilling awish or donating Walmart, Target, Giant, orSafeway gift cards. Share’s Furniture Program is inmajor need of drivers and helpers. Visit theFurniture Program page. The Food Pantry is inmajor need of supplies; visit the Food Pantry pageand check Facebook to see how to help the FoodPantry. Visit www.shareofmclean.org for more infoabout Share.

❖ Herndon-Reston FISH (Friendly InstantSympathetic Help), 336 Victory Drive, Herndon,703-391-0105, herndonrestonfish.org. Herndon-Reston FISH has assisted local residents in short-term crises by since 1969. FISH provides FriendlyInstant Sympathetic Help by responding toemergency requests for rent, transportation,utilities, medical prescriptions and other needs.FISH operates The Bargain Loft, a thrift store, whichneeds donations of good quality saleable items,accepting and selling art, furniture, jewelry,household linens, dishes, pots and pans, books,women’s designer clothing (clean and on hangers),puzzles, games, collectibles, small electronics andmore. If you have store questions, call 703-437-0600. Herndon-Reston FISH also provides HolidayFood & Gift Baskets during the November andDecember season.

❖ LINK, serving Herndon, Chantilly, Loudoun andmore. Every year the goal is to provide each familywith a week’s worth of non-perishable food inNovember and again in December. When fundsallow, grocery gift cards are also included. InNovember, clients also receive a voucher for coatsand warm clothing. In December, children 16 andunder receive gifts. holiday@linkagainsthunger.org.703-437-1776 www.linkagainsthunger.org.

❖ Committee for Helping Others (CHO), Vienna,organized in 1969 by a group of churches andindividuals in the Dunn Loring, Merrifield, Oakton,Vienna community to provide simple, loving charityto those in need. Last year 450 children had aspecial Christmas through the annual ChristmasStore. 703-281-7614, www.cho-va.com

❖ Northern Virginia Family Service. 571-748-2500, www.nvfs.org, Employment and job training,healthcare, housing, mental health, foster care andHealthy Families.10455 White Granite, Drive, Suite100, Oakton, VA 22124.

❖ Second Story — Abused and Homeless Children’sRefuge, 2100 Gallows Road, Vienna, VA 22182.703-506-9191, second-story.org. Second Story

(formerly Alternative House) provides shelter andservices for homeless, runaway or abused teenagers,unaccompanied youth, and young mothers and theirchildren. Requests for food and clothing are upmore than 50 percent.

❖ Shepherd’s Center of Oakton Vienna providingservices, personal enrichment, volunteeropportunities for adults 50 and over. Currentlyserving 3,000+ mature adults in the region. 703-281-0538, www.scov.org.

❖ Touching Heart in Herndon is a nonprofitorganization whose mission is to educate children tohave giving hearts. www.touchingheart.com, 703-901-7355.

❖ Western Fairfax Christian Ministries — foodpantry at 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly. Formore information or to sponsor a family, call 703-988-9656, ext. 105. To mail gift cards or senddonations by check, add a note saying “food basketprogram” and send them to: WFCM, P.O. Box220802, Chantilly, VA 20153.

❖ HomeAid builds and renovates facilities that housethe homeless, and partners with many localorganizations to do so. 3684 Centerview Drive,Suite 110B, Chantilly, VA 20151.www.homeaidnova.org.

❖ FACETS helps parents, their children andindividuals who suffer the effects of poverty in theFairfax area, a partner in efforts to endhomelessness in Fairfax County. FACETS is alwaysin need of volunteers, and offers a variety of one-time and ongoing opportunities. 703-865-4251,volunteer@facetscares.org or www.facetscares.org.10640 Page Ave., Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22030.

❖ Britepaths will have 3,000 individuals and familiesin need of holiday assistance list this fall. Sponsor afamily or donate to provide a family with aThanksgiving meal, December holiday meal and/orgifts for their children. britepaths.org.

❖ Fairfax City Area FISH (For ImmediateSympathetic Help) helps local people who are intemporary need of life’s basic necessities such asfood, clothing, and financial assistance for rent,mortgage payments, utilities, and medicaltreatments. FISH also provides limitedtransportation for doctor appointments and fooddelivery. 703-222-0880, fairfaxfish.org.

❖ Lamb Center, day center for homeless, Fairfax.703-691-3178, www.thelambcenter.org.

❖ Food for Others provides a safety net for peoplewho suddenly face unforeseen emergencies such asa family illness or the loss of a job or a spouse.Located at 2938 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, VA 22031,703-207-9173, info@foodforothers.org orwww.foodforothers.org. Hours: Monday-Friday,9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

❖ Ecumenical Community Helping Others(ECHO). 703-569-9160, www.foodforothers.org.Open to receive donations at 7205 Old Keene MillRoad, Springfield. Provides food and financialassistance to those in short-term emergencies, andprovides clothing and household goods to lowincome families, helping more than 5,000 peoplelast year.

❖ Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) willprovide Thanksgiving and Holiday assistance tomore than 450 families this year. Thanksgiving andChristmas food baskets along with fulfilling giftwishes for more than 1,000 children and teens willhelp low-income families More information atlortonaction.org/seasonal-assistance/. Volunteers

are needed for these events as well. Register onlineat lortonaction.org or call 703-339-5161, ext. 140 oremail Linda@LortonAction.org. Mailing address:LCAC, P.O. Box 154, Lorton, VA 22199-0154.

❖ Assistance League of Northern Virginia is anall-volunteer nonprofit organization that feeds,clothes and educates children in need. AssistanceLeague’s philanthropic programs touch the lives ofthousands of children at 11 Title I schools inNorthern Virginia, serving children most in need atselected schools in Fairfax and Prince Williamcounties and the City of Alexandria. To learn moreabout volunteer and sponsorship opportunities,email alnorthernva@gmail.com or visitwww.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org.

❖ Comfort for America’s Uniformed Services(CAUSE) ensures that recuperating service membershave opportunities for recreation and socialinteraction and receive concrete signs ofappreciation for all that they have done. 1100 NGlebe Road, Suite 373, Arlington, VA 22201.703-591-4968, cause-usa.org.

❖ Shelter House provides crisis intervention, safehousing and supportive services to promote self-sufficiency for homeless families and victims ofdomestic violence in Fairfax County.www.shelterhouse.org/

❖ Mount Vernon At Home, 703-303-4060,www.mountvernonathome.org. From practical helpto social, wellness, educational and culturalactivities, Mount Vernon At Home membershiphelps connect senior members of the community.Neighbors helping neighbors with volunteer supportis the power of Mount Vernon At Home. MountVernon At Home is a 501(c)(3) nonprofitorganization working hard to meet the needs ofolder members. They fundraise all year to make thispossible and count on the generosity of thecommunity.

❖ United Community Ministries, Mount Vernon,7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria, VA 22306, 703-768-7106, www.ucmagency.org, assists low-incomefamilies and individuals living along the Route 1Corridor, UCM provides four different housingprograms as well as a Workforce DevelopmentCenter to help prepare people for moving forwardwith their jobs. For the holidays, donations of nearly10,000 toys, books, games, clothing, and other giftsensured a joy-filled holiday for more than 1,200children in 600 families. Donations of cash/checksand gift cards are also welcome.

❖ National Capital Food Bank, 6833 Hill ParkDrive, Lorton, serving all of Northern Virginia. 703-541-3063, www.capitalareafoodbank.org.

❖ Homestretch is the largest provider of transitionalhousing in Fairfax County and offers a services tohelp the homeless better their lives througheducation. Email jhenderson@homestretchva.org;703-237-2035 x125; homestretchva.org/.

❖ Pathway Homes focuses on providing housing andsupport services to individuals with serious mentalillnesses, with the mission to help these individualsreach their full potential and lead stable lives. Theyoffer both in-home programs, semi-independenthouses and assisted living facilities. 10201 FairfaxBoulevard, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. 703-876-0390, info@pathwayhomes.org,www.pathwayhomes.org, www.pathwayhomes.org/support-pathway/.

See Give Locally, Page 11

Give Locally in Fairfax CountyHolidays are for giving;many choices to help.

The holidays are about giving, and giv-ing thanks. The holidays are aboutchildren and family. The holidays are

about sharing, about joy. The holidays areabout being thankful and about faith and ap-preciation. The holidays are about alleviating

suffering for others.Northern Virginia is among

the wealthiest areas in thecountry. Many if not most of us go through ourdaily and seasonal routines without encoun-

Give Locally

tering evidence of the needy families amongus.

In Fairfax County, more than 52,000 (28percent) of FCPS students are are poor enoughto receive free or subsidized meals.

The median family income in Fairfax Countyrose to $129,800. But among families withchildren, 6 percent have income below thepoverty level. That’s $20,420 for a family ofthree. That’s about $1,700 a month. Medianrent in Fairfax County is $1,747, meaning thecost for half the rentals is more than that.

These are children living in families who maybe on the brink of homelessness, families whomust choose between medical bills, car repair,heat and food. Some of these are children who

Editorial

may not be sure that they will have a mealbetween the meals they get in school.

School holidays can bring uncertainty andhunger — a far cry from the celebrations, giftsand plenty that we associate with the holidays.

Hundreds of homeless students attend thepublic schools, and their needs are greater.

Many nonprofits in the county need yourhelp to provide a holiday meal for Thanksgiv-ing or Christmas, to provide children with gifts.

There are literally hundreds, probably thou-sands, of ways to give locally this season. Hereare a few ideas.

— Mary Kimm

mkimm@connectionnewspapers.com

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@ChantillyConnec

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Chantilly Connection ❖ December 6-12, 2017 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Opinion

By Kelly Lavin

ONC executive director

Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC)volunteers are preparing fora 26th season of coordinat-ing the collection and deliv-

ery of holiday gifts for children from nearly700 financially struggling families in west-ern Fairfax County – predominantly inCentreville and Chantilly.

It’s a huge task, and the nonprofit ONCcan’t do it alone, so it needs members ofthe community – individuals, groups and

businesses – to open their heartsand lend a hand. Several volun-teer opportunities have beenposted on ONC’s Website,

www.ourneighborschild.org.Our small, all-volunteer team has worked

for months organizing things to include ourwhole community in this giving effort.There aren’t words to adequately describethe feeling you get when you can make adifference and make life a little better foranother person, and we love sharing thatexperience.

It is not always easy, but we have great,“unsung heroes” who return year after year.We could use a few more volunteers in ouroffice, plus many volunteers on packagingand delivery days, for this effort to continue.And we really need people to bake cookies;each family will receive a mixed assortmentand we’ll be delivering thousands of cook-ies. ONC provides new toys, books andgames, as well as warm coats, blankets andother clothing for children who’ve requestedthose items. Children’s gift wishes havebeen distributed to Giving Trees at localchurches, schools and businesses, andwishes are still available on trees at theWalmart stores in Chantilly and Fair Lakes.

How to Help❖ Whenever possible, ONC stretches its

donation dollars by ordering some gifs fromonline sites that provide discounts to non-profit organizations.

Helmets from Helmets R Us and booksfrom Firstbook are just a few examples ofthe resources used by ONC to stretch everydonation dollar.

❖ Donations are still greatly needed soONC may purchase the needed items to ful-fill children’s wishes. People may contrib-ute via PayPal and Venmo links on ONC’sWebsite, or mail checks payable to ONC to:Our Neighbor’s Child, P.O. Box 276,Centreville, VA 20120.

❖ Drop off new toys, games, books, coatsor other clothing at Stone Middle School,5500 Sully Park Drive in Centreville, nextSaturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m.-noon. Mem-bers of the National Junior Honor Societywill be out front to collect them.

❖ Choose wishes from any Giving Tree,purchase the items and then turn them inby Tuesday, Dec. 12.

❖ Adult Volunteers are needed to help setup the ONC packaging warehouse on Dec.11, 12 and 13, from 3-7 p.m.

❖ Volunteers are needed to work two-

Our Neighbor’s Child Helps Local FamiliesVolunteers, giftsneeded to brightenholidays for so many.

Stone Middle School students prepare to load donated gifts into atruck headed for ONC’s warehouse after last year’s Panther Drop-Off.This year’s collection will be Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m.-noon.

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hour shifts on packaging day, Dec. 14, from9 a.m.-7 p.m. Talk your boss into making itan office tradition.

❖ Many people are needed to bake home-made cookies that get distributed with eachfamily’s huge bag of gifts. Sign up on ourWebsite and our coordinator will send de-tails.

❖ Delivery day volunteers are also needed

on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1-4 p.m. We cancollect and package the gifts, but we canonly deliver to 700 homes if many volun-teers are willing to help.

ONC’s volunteers have been busy sincelate summer to prepare for new challengesto its efforts. These included communicat-ing with and training more than 80 indi-vidual, referring agents from 27 schools inthe Centreville, Chantilly and Westfieldpyramids. Receiving gifts from ONC will bestudents in the following schools:

Centreville PyramidBull Run Elementary SchoolCentre Ridge Elementary SchoolCentreville Elementary SchoolPowell Elementary SchoolUnion Mill Elementary SchoolWillow Springs Elementary SchoolLiberty Middle SchoolMountain View Alternative Learning

CenterMountain View High SchoolCentreville High School

Chantilly PyramidBrookfield Elementary SchoolGreenbriar East Elementary SchoolGreenbriar West Elementary SchoolLees Corner Elementary SchoolOak Hill Elementary SchoolPoplar Tree Elementary SchoolRocky Run Middle SchoolFranklin Middle SchoolChantilly AcademyChantilly High School

Westfield PyramidCub Run Elementary SchoolVirginia Run Elementary SchoolDeer Park Elementary SchoolFloris Elementary SchoolLondon Towne Elementary SchoolLewis Coates Elementary SchoolMcNair Elementary SchoolStone Middle SchoolWestfield High School

We hope people will visit our Website andshare the information there with others.And hopefully, we can make this holidayseason a joyous one for everyone in ourarea.

Giving Tree ornaments weremade again this year by JenniferMcGee’s students at StoneMiddle School and were labeledby Jay Rennyson (in white shirt)and his friends from Virginia RunElementary.

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Remember Those ServingTo the Editor:

Holidays, festivals, and celebrations are times to be spent withfamily. Seldom do people serving in the Armed Forces get time offfor this basic need. These extraordinary men and women sacrificetheir family life and all the simple pleasures just so we can be safe.No matter the country or where they are serving, the lives of sol-diers are all the same. Their families share the same fears, anxiety,sorrow, and pride. The sacrifice of these brave soldiers and theirfamilies can never be repaid. The least we can do is pray for theirsafe return.

— Anita R. Mohan, Chantilly

An Army Child’s WishMy family is like any otherDad, mom, brother, sisterGrandma, grandpa, uncles,aunts, cousins, friends.We gather together, celebrateholidays, anniversary, birthdaysPray, eat, play, have funBut dad is always missing

Mom gives our presentsShe keeps dad’s asidedrying her silent tearsI really wish dad couldjoin in every celebrationBut he is away servingprotecting, sacrificing,keeping our country safe

During this holiday seasonplease say a little prayerfor my dad and for all otherdads and moms whowish they could be withtheir loved ones and familiesbut could not, as duty callsand pray for their safe return.

Copyright © Anita R Mohan

8 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 6-12, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Ballet Arts Ensemble of FairfaxPresents

Nutcracker In A Nutshell

Rachel SchlesingerConcert Hall and Arts Center

at NOVA Alexandria CampusTickets $30

Call for More Info: 703-273-5344www.thecenterforballetarts.com

Saturday, Dec. 16that 3:00 pm & 7:30 pm

Sunday, Dec. 17that 3:00 pm

Holiday Fun & Entertainment

Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOINGToy Collection. Through Dec. 10,

Sheehy Infiniti of Chantilly, 4145Auto Park Circle, Chantilly willcollect new and unwrapped toys aspart of the company’s annual SheehyCares Toy Collection to benefit theU.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys forTots Program, which will distributethose toys as Christmas gifts to lessfortunate children in the communityin which the campaign is conducted.

Bull Run Festival of Lights. ThroughJan. 7, Monday-Thursday, 5:30-9:30p.m., $15 per car; Fridays-Sundaysand holidays, 5:30-10 p.m., $20 percar. Bull Run Regional Park, 7700Bull Run Drive, Centreville. The BullRun Festival of Lights is more thanjust a light show. After enjoying twoand a half miles of light displays,stop at the Holiday Village, completewith bonfires, s’mores, holidaymerchandise and free activities, theHoliday Village is fun for the wholefamily. Have a photo taken withSanta. Call 703-631-0550 or visitwww.novaparks.com/events/bull-run-festival-of-lights.

FRIDAY/DEC. 8Sugarloaf Crafts Festival. 10 a.m.-6

p.m. at Dulles Expo Center, 4320Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly.$8 online, $10 at the door. Visitsugarloafinfo@sugarloaffest.com.

Indian Dance Class. 10:30 a.m. atthe Sully Senior Center, 14426Albemarle Point Place, Chantilly.Artistic dance and exercise everyFriday in December. Call 703-380-0660 for more.

Ryan Angello in Concert. 4:30-8:30p.m. p.m. at The Winery at Bull Run,15950 Lee Highway, Centreville. Call703-815-2233 or visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com.

Sipping and Painting. 6:30-9 p.m. atThe Winery at Bull Run, 15950 LeeHighway, Centreville. Instructorsfrom Creative Mankind will be onhand to give a step by stepinstructions on creating a canvasmasterpiece of an abstract Christmastree. $45. Call 703-815-2233 or visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com.

SATURDAY/DEC. 9Sugarloaf Crafts Festival. 10 a.m.-6

p.m. at Dulles Expo Center, 4320Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly.$8 online, $10 at the door. Visitsugarloafinfo@sugarloaffest.com

Holidays at Walney Farm. 1-4 p.m.at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040Walney Road, Chantilly. Learn aboutthe holiday traditions of past eras.Take a tour with a historian, makehistoric ornaments and drink hotcider around the campfire as youlisten to our volunteer bagpiper playholiday tunes. End your day with aholiday wagon ride. $10. Call 703-631-0013 for more.

Ryan Forrester Band in Concert. 1-5 p.m. p.m. at The Winery at BullRun, 15950 Lee Highway,Centreville. Call 703-815-2233 orvisit www.wineryatbullrun.com.

SUNDAY/DEC. 10Sugarloaf Crafts Festival. 10 a.m.-5

p.m. at Dulles Expo Center, 4320Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly.$8 online, $10 at the door. Visitsugarloafinfo@sugarloaffest.com formore.

Holiday Ornament Craft Day. 1-4p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. Museummembers and ages 4 and under, free;5-15, $2; 16 and older, $4. Visit

www.fairfax-station.org for more.Lexi Jackson in Concert. 1-5 p.m. at

The Winery at Bull Run, 15950 LeeHighway, Centreville. Call 703-815-2233 or visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com.

TUESDAY/DEC. 12Tai Chi Tuesdays. 12:30 p.m. at the

Sully Senior Center, 14426Albemarle Point Place, Chantilly. Agentle movements class to developstrength and balance, class everyTuesday. Call 703-380-0660 formore.

FRIDAY/DEC. 15Indian Dance Class. 10:30 a.m. at

the Sully Senior Center, 14426Albemarle Point Place, Chantilly.Artistic dance and exercise everyFriday in December. Call 703-380-0660 for more.

Levi Stephens in Concert. 4:30-8:30p.m. at The Winery at Bull Run,15950 Lee Highway, Centreville. Call703-815-2233 or visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com.

SUNDAY/DEC. 16Ken Fischer in Concert. 1-5 p.m. at

The Winery at Bull Run, 15950 LeeHighway, Centreville. Call 703-815-2233 or visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com.

SUNDAY/DEC. 17Victorian Tea. 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax

Station Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road. Museummembers and under 4, free; ages 5-15, $2; 16 and older, $4. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org for more.

Brian Franke in Concert. 1-5 p.m. atThe Winery at Bull Run, 15950 LeeHighway, Centreville. Call 703-815-2233 or visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com.

TUESDAY/DEC. 19Tai Chi Tuesdays. 12:30 p.m. at the

Sully Senior Center, 14426Albemarle Point Place, Chantilly. Agentle movements class to developstrength and balance, class everyTuesday. Call 703-380-0660 formore.

FRIDAY/DEC. 22Phil Selz in Concert. 4:30-8:30 p.m.

p.m. at The Winery at Bull Run,15950 Lee Highway, Centreville. Call703-815-2233 or visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com.

SATURDAY/DEC. 23Britton James in Concert. 1-5 p.m.

p.m. at The Winery at Bull Run,15950 Lee Highway, Centreville. Call703-815-2233 or visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com.

SUNDAY/DEC. 24David Thong in Concert. 1-5 p.m.

p.m. at The Winery at Bull Run,15950 Lee Highway, Centreville. Call703-815-2233 or visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com.

TUESDAY/DEC. 26Music Sing and Dance. 12:30 p.m. at

the Sully Senior Center, 14426Albemarle Point Place, Chantilly.Sing and Swing w Chris Edwards.Call 703-380-0660 for more.

Sip & PaintIt’s all about Sipping and Painting on Friday, Dec. 8 atThe Winery at Bull Run, 15950 Lee Highway, Centreville.Instructors from Creative Mankind will be on hand togive a step by step instructions on creating a canvasmasterpiece of an abstract Christmas tree. $45. Call 703-815-2233 or visit www.wineryatbullrun.com.

Chantilly Connection ❖ December 6-12, 2017 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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By Marilyn Campbell

As Terrance Puller surveys boxes wrapped inholiday paper and filled with tubes of tooth-paste, sticks of deodorant and other self-care

toiletries, he says he can feel his heart well up withgratitude. The packages were part of a donation driveto benefit So Others Might Eat (SOME), a local non-profit organization with a mission to provide servicesto the poor and homeless. Puller, who is now both aSOME employee and volunteer, reminisces about aperiod in his life when he was a recipient of suchgenerosity.

Five years ago, Puller says he was alone, homelessand deep in an alcohol and crack cocaine-inducedhaze. He would later recall that he was so stagger-ingly intoxicated one holiday season that he wouldmiss an opportunity to say goodbye to his dyingmother. What he did receive that year however, waslife changing.

“I was able to come into the shelter and get treat-ment, food and eventually a job,” said Puller. “I vol-unteer my time because …being here reminds me of mystory and makes me grateful.It keeps me uplifted, less de-pressed and clean and sober.”

Mounting research vali-dates Puller’s assertion. “Giv-ing of our talents and time is an important way toimprove our well-being,” said Carolyn Lorente, pro-fessor of psychology at Northern Virginia Commu-nity College. “What many of my colleagues are look-ing into is the connection between volunteerism andsense of self. It turns out that when we give to oth-ers, it not only helps those we are assisting but alsoboosts our sense of agency, gives us a sense of pur-pose and belonging and informs our sense of iden-tity.”

During the holidays, which are often emotionallycharged, a focus on helping others can lead to feel-ings of gratitude and happiness, says psychologistJerome Short, Ph.D. In fact, he points to a 2010 studypublished in the journal Clinical Psychology Review,which shows a link between benevolence and con-tentment.

“Kind acts increase personal happiness because wenaturally empathize with others and take pride inour ability to make others smile and feel good,” he

said.Even for those who haven’t experienced levels of

need such as Puller’s, acts of altruism can have apositive effect on one’s mood. An example is Jenni-fer Carter, a senior at Marymount University in Ar-lington, who spent last weekend in the center of acrowded auditorium on the university’s campus fran-tically tying strips of fleece cloth. Along with nearly300 other volunteers, she was making blankets fornewborn babies for an organization called HOPE, anondenominational crisis pregnancy center in FairfaxCounty.

“When these new mothers leave the hospitals it’susually with a thin cotton blanket,” she said. “A lotof times, the things that they’re missing are warmblankets for the babies. It feels good to be able togive these mothers something that many people takefor granted. It makes you realize how fortunate youare.”

Short points to a 2016 study from the Universityof California at Riverside which shows thatvolunteerism can lead to gratitude and happiness.

“Grateful people pay moreattention to the cost, effort,and value of helping actsthan the average persondoes,” he said. “They arebetter at coping with lifestress because they trust oth-

ers to help them and then reach out and accept help.”Christabel Sampson experienced this metamorpho-

sis first hand when she relocated to the Washington,D.C. area and was unable to find a job. She hadmounting bills, but no income. Her financial outlookspiraled further downward and she became home-less. She moved into a shelter run by Interfaith Works,a nonprofit organization in Montgomery CountyMaryland that works to meet the needs of the poor.Through the organization’s job training program, shewas able to gain skills training, clothing and shelter.As a result of the services she received, Sampson saysshe found a job. Now she volunteers her time to help-ing others at Interfaith Works and has even becomea member of the organization’s board of directors.

“The experience of being homeless and now help-ing other women definitely made me stronger,” saidSampson. “Sometimes even a spoken word can besaid to help someone to a better place. I have empa-thy because I have been there.”

Season of Giving, Healing

For More InformationInterfaith Works – www.iworksmc.orgSOME – some.orgHOPE Pregnancy Care Center – 703-536-2020

Acts of kindness can boost wellbeing.

Charitable activities, such as this toy drive by Interfaith Works, can improve one’soverall well-being.

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10 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 6-12, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

Next: State FinalT

he Westfield Bulldogs (14-0) are headed backto Hampton for the Virginia 6A State Cham-pionship on 12-9 after a 18-7 win on Dec. 2

over the Woodbridge Vikings (12-2). Their opponentwill be Oscar Smith (12-2) winners in overtime overColonial Forge (12-1).

Westfield took an early 6-0 lead with 7:42 to playin the 1st quarter when QB Noah Kim hit TaylorMorin on a 35 yard pass for a TD.

In the 2nd quarter, Woodbridge’s Antevious Jack-son connected with Andrew Hardin for a 73 yardTD.

With 6:19 left to play in the 3rd quarter, EugeneAsante scored the first of his two rushing TD’s, togive the Bulldogs a 12-7 advantage.

Asante scored his second TD when he leaped overthe goal line and gave Westfield a 18-7 lead with :56to play in the game essentially putting the game away.

For the game Asante carried the ball 23 times for140 yards and two touchdowns. Noah Kim completed7 of his 12 passes for 132 yards and a TD to TaylorMorin. Morin would catch 3 passes for 96 yards anda TD. Morin also intercepted Woodbridge QBAntevious Jackson. Defensively Westfield was led by

Westfield center Bryan Jewell #69 blocksfor teammate Eugene Asante #8.

Matt Cirillo #88 leaps over one of hislineman.

Joe Clancy # 36 powers his way down thefield after pulling in a Noah Kim pass.

Taylor Morin #2 explodes by aWoodbridge defender on one of his fourreceptions.

Eugene Asante # 8 rushed for 140 yardson 23 carries and 2 TDs.

Nolan Cockrill, Saadiq Hinton and Taylor Morin.The Bulldogs face a familiar foe, Oscar Smith, while

seeking their third consecutive 6A State Champion-ship. In 2015 Westfield defeated Oscar Smith 49-42;last year in 2016 Westfield defeated Oscar Smith 34-28. The game will be played Saturday Dec. 9 at 4:30p.m. on the campus of Hampton University atArmstrong Stadium.

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Chantilly Connection ❖ December 6-12, 2017 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

From Page 6

❖ Good Shepherd Housing and FamilyServices, 8305-17B Richmond Highway, POBox 15096, Alexandria, VA, 22309. 703-768-9419, www.goodhousing.org/. The mission ofGood Shepherd Housing (GSH) is to reducehomelessness, increase community support, andpromote self-sufficiency. GSH housing managesmore than 70 housing units.

❖ Boys and Girls Clubs of GreaterWashington Fairfax Area operates clubs intwo of the neediest areas of the county, Culmoreand Mount Vernon/ Route 1 corridor, focusingon character and academic success.www.bgcgw.org/fairfax.

❖ Christian Relief Services, 8301 RIchmondHighway, Suite 900, Alexandria, VA 22309, 703-317-9086, 703-317-9690, christianrelief.org/

❖ Friends of Guest House Northern Virginiaoffers structure, supervision, support andassistance to female ex-offenders who want toimprove their lives and break the cycle ofincarceration. Friends of Guest House offers theonly program for women of its kind in NorthernVirginia. One East Luray Ave., Alexandria, VA22301-2025, 703-549-8072,info@friendsofguesthouse.org,friendsofguesthouse.org/

❖ Wright to Read 703-299-9854,www.wrighttoread.org. Provides volunteer-based, one-to-one tutoring and mentoring toCity of Alexandria public elementary schoolchildren in need. Funds are needed to providefield trips and enrichment activities, books andother resources. For more information aboutWright to Read and becoming a “Tutor/Mentor”see website.

❖ Habitat for Humanity of NorthernVirginia transforms the lives of lower-incomefamilies in need by providing affordablehomeownership opportunities in Alexandria,Arlington, Fairfax and Falls Church. Learn moreat www.habitatnova.org.

❖ Alice’s Kids (@alicewillhelp), aliceskids.org,P.O. Box 60, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. When achild is raised in poverty they suffer bothpublicly and privately. When there is no food inthe refrigerator, no electricity nor heat, these arehardships that they can keep hidden from theirpeers. But, when that same child can’t afford topay for the band field trip, a pair of glasses, achorus outfit or a new pair of shoes, these areindignities that are evident to their classmates.Alice’s Kids pays for these relatively inexpensiveitems in the hopes of preserving the dignity ofthe child. Alice’s Kids helps children from allover the Mount Vernon area through small actsof kindness.

❖ The Community Foundation of NorthernVirginia has launched its Permanent Fundcampaign, a community endowment which is aforever source to provide critical support forthose in need in the Northern Virginia region;Consider leaving a legacy through a current orplanned gift to the Permanent Fund at theCommunity Foundation for Northern Virginia.www.cfnova.org/permanentfund.

❖ The Historic Pohick Church Foundation,9301 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA 22079,703-339-6572. The Historic Pohick Church,listed on the National Register of Historic Places,has played a central role in the history of ourcountry, founded by George Washington, GeorgeMason, and others. The Historic Pohick ChurchFoundation is a nonprofit, charitable corporationthat was established in 1983 for themaintenance, upkeep, and preservation of thehistoric colonial-era Pohick Church building andthe surrounding churchyard.

❖ Rising Hope, 8220 Russell Road, Alexandria,VA 22309, risinghopeumc.org. Supports poorand homeless people along the Route 1Corridor. To volunteer, donate in-kindcontributions or partner with Rising Hope inother ways, contact Kat Roman atkroman@risinghopeumc.org or 703-360-1976.

❖ The Literacy Council of NorthernVirginia, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church,Virginia 22042, 703-237-0866, lcnv.org, teachesadults to speak, read, write and understandEnglish at the most basic level. The organizationhas been around for 55 years, and serves Fairfaxand Arlington Counties and the cities of FallsChurch and Alexandria. Most of the students areimmigrants, and they are mostly women, andlow income.

❖ Neighborhood Health Clinics,www.neighborhoodhealthva.org, Improvinghealth and advance health equity in Alexandria,Arlington, and Fairfax by providing access tohigh quality care regardless of ability to pay.

Opinion

Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

I don’t want to self-indulge too muchabout last week’s column but, sometimes inmy unexpressed desire to fulfill my writingobligation/not let me cancer/cancer treatmentaffect my schedule, I write my column underless-than-ideal circumstances.

Post chemotherapy/(last week) – the imme-diate week after, is about as challenging as itgets for me. I’m a bit irritable. I’m a bit out ofsync/unable to focus. I’m somewhat impa-tient. My hands are shaky. My eyes are“squinty.” I’m hungry yet I can’t eat. My self-editing skills are below average – more thanusual. And finally, my reading comprehensionis mostly lost in the toxic haze. Still, I’m deter-mined to make my deadline.

Not that any of the preceding paragraph isan excuse. It’s more of an explanation as towhy a column written with the best of inten-tions may have missed the mark in tone andsubstance. Though I’ve not received any feed-back as yet confirming my sense of what I hadwritten last week; nevertheless, my feelingupon submitting it to editorial was that I hadwavered a bit. Unfortunately, I didn’t have thebalance emotionally or the ability physically toassess its content. I apologize in arrears forattempting to maintain its regularity.

And to that point, specifically to that word,that’s what my attitude as a cancer patient hasbeen about: regularity. Doing the things that Iregularly/normally/typically do without deviat-ing from my norm. Because for me, deviatingfrom my norm, living/doing outside of my box– within reason, would be – to me anyway,reinforcing the negative that is most definitelya cancer diagnosis. A diagnosis with which Ihave long ago made my peace, made mychoices and moreover, made my it goal toface the present/future with a positive attitudeinfused with as much self-effacing goodhumor as possible. It’s nothing I really didintentionally, it is simply who I am: my father’sson, with inherited sensibilities to live my lifethinking the glass is half full, until it’s not.

And so far, nearly nine years into a “13month to two-year” prognosis, I’m living proofthat either whatever I’m doing is working (andthere’s a bit more to the story) or I’m anincredibly lucky act of kindness for whichthere’s no quantifiable explanation.Regardless, I’m not the least bit inclined tolook a gift horse in the mouth and/or deny thepossibility that my tumors are necrotic (dead).I’m very happy to accept the inexplicable factthat, statistically speaking, I’m an officialanomaly: a stage IV, non-small cell lung can-cer survivor.

However, since I’m not one to presumefacts not yet in evidence, I’m still infusedevery six weeks, scanned quarterly and seenby my oncologist every three months. I don’tfor a second believe that somehow, afterbeing diagnosed with a “terminal disease” inlate February 2009, that life goes merrily alongwithout consequences. Not that I’m a fatalist –Rebecca, I’m merely evaluat-ing/introspecting/compartmentalizing and allo-cating precious emotional resources so I canlive my life as I’m accustomed to doing.

And what I’m most accustomed to doing,especially dating back to December 1997, iswriting a weekly column for ConnectionNewspapers. Though the columns publishedprevious to June ‘09 were not “cancer” col-umns, as we call them, they were nonethelesswritten with the same passion and nonsensicalprose as my “cancer” columns are. So, gener-ally speaking, I am able, as my brotherRichard says, “to churn out the dribble.”

Still, writing is not like reading. Though asimilar commitment is needed, writingrequires a bit more effort. And it’s been aneffort I’ve sustained before, after and duringmy lung cancer diagnosis. Some weeks areharder than others. Last week was difficult.This week not so much.

Perhaps you agree?

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12 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 6-12, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

From Page 3

Special Education Business Partners Honored

Attendees listen to the speakers before the breakfast begins.

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program this year for the first time. “We’llbe getting our student intern soon,” said theRev. Beth LaBella-Foster. “We have a large,food-pantry ministry serving over 20,000people a year in western Fairfax County,”she said. “Our intern will help organize thedonations that come in from our corporateand business partners. That person will alsointeract with the volunteers bringing in thefood. We have a lot of student volunteerswho get service hours, so this seemed likea natural fit — and it’s a mutual benefit forthem, too.”

Another first-time participant is FairfaxCity’s Sundog Productions, which manufac-tures and prints T-shirts. Owner AllisonMoser has a Chantilly High student namedRyan helping in the print-shop area. “Hehelps clean the ink off our screens so theycan be reused,” she said. “And he also helpsin quality control, looking for any problemswith the shirts. He works five days a week,and we’re hoping he’ll be a long-termer forus — he’s a really nice kid.”

Telling why her company partnered withthe school, Moser said, “We’re part of thecommunity — this is what we do — andwe need a lot of work done.” As for thebreakfast, she said, “It’s fantastic. The foodwas wonderful, and I got to meet two otherstudents who’ll straighten our inventoryshelves. We’ll have four students all to-

gether, each working one hour a day.”“Chantilly appreciates what we’re doing,”

she continued. “And because we’re such anunusual factory — where people often dothe same things each day — it’s often theright fit for these kids. And it helps withtheir self-confidence, too. Every job is im-portant, and all our employees are, too. Ifthey work hard, we’re happy to have them.We’re a big team and it takes everybody.”

Ken Crum is regional executive directorof ServiceSource, which offers support ser-vices for people with disabilities, and this

business has partnered with the school forthe past couple years. “We provide jobcoaching and communication skills, sup-porting the skills the students learn in their[career and transition classes], so they canachieve employment in the community,” hesaid. “This program [with Chantilly High]helps connect students with communityemployers and become successful in thosejobs.” Crum said the breakfast is a wonder-ful idea. “It’s exciting to see all these com-munity agencies come together to supporta program like this,” he said.

Securis of Chantilly recycles electronicsand shreds data and has partnered with theschool for 10 years. “We receive seven oreight kids a year,” said CEO Jeremy Farber.“They tear own computers and we treatthem like employees. We have training ses-sions and do evaluations. We want them toget the experience of what it’s like to be inthe workplace.” “It’s also to help them getthe confidence that they can be in theworkforce,” continued Farber. “A lot of kidsquestion how they can work in the realworld. But the type of work we do is veryconducive to people with disabilities. It’srepetitive, and we’re not worrying aboutdamaging anything, so they have a lot offlexibility. And it’s just a good way to giveback to the community.”

Furthermore, said Farber, “FCPS is a greatoutlet for that. In my opinion, the teacherswho work in this program are amazing —they’re the best. Over the past 10 years,we’ve developed good relationships with theschools and students, and four of our stu-dent interns have even transitioned into full-time employment with us.”

Basically, he said, “Businesses have a re-sponsibility to provide opportunities forpeople with disabilities. They need employ-ment and are struggling finding places towork. So businesses should look withinthemselves and see where there are oppor-tunities to hire people with disabilities.”

Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

ORNAMENT SALEGFWC Western Fairfax County

Woman’s Club is selling 2017White House Christmas ornaments.This year’s ornament honors the32nd President, Franklin DRoosevelt. The two-sided ornamentfeatures a gilded eagle, flags and theGreat Seal. 2017 ornaments cost $21.Proceeds benefit charity. Order nowby calling 703-378-6841 or 703-378-6216. It is possible to order previousyears’ ornaments when you call.

FRIDAY/DEC. 8Academy Open House. 9:30-11:30

a.m.at Clifton Children’s AcademyPreschool, 14315 Compton Road.Email cca@childrensacademy.com orcall 703-968-8455 for more.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLINGResidents Can “E-cycle” at the I-66

transfer station. It is free butresidents may be asked to show proofof residency. Personal waste only.The I-66 station is located at 4618West Ox Road, Fairfax and open from8 a.m.-4 p.m. from Monday-Saturdayand from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling/electric-sunday.htm formore.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is acceptingdonations of old cellphones so thattroops can call home. Patrons maydrop off donations at 14215ECentreville Square, Centreville.

Bulletin BoardC E N T R E V I L L ECOMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

To highlightyour faith

community,callDonat

703-778-9420

bThe Church of the Ascension

Traditional Anglican Catholic Services1928 Book of Common Prayer, 1940 Hymnal,

and the King James Bible with Apocrypha

www.ascension-acc.org (703) 830-3176

Holy Communion 10 a.m. Sundays (with Church School and Nursery)

13941 Braddock RoadCentreville VA 20120

in the “Old Stone Church”of Historic Centreville

The Church of the Ascension(703) 830-3176 www.ascension-acc.org

Centreville Baptist Church(703) 830-3333 www.cbcva.org

Centreville UnitedMethodist Church

(703) 830-2684 www.Centreville-UMC.org