RSVP-Northern Virginia

05/22/2026

Congratulations to Stacey Iden!

We are thrilled to announce that Stacey Iden, RSVP-Northern Virginia Program Manager, has been honored with the 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors Guiding Stars – North Star Award! ✨

This award recognizes project directors who make a significant impact by addressing local challenges that are also national priorities.

Under Stacey’s leadership, RSVP-Northern Virginia has profoundly influenced the Fairfax community by reducing social isolation among older adults; addressing hunger, transportation, disaster services, and more; and building community and strengthening civic engagement.

Stacey’s dedication and vision inspire volunteers every day and make a lasting difference. We are so grateful to have her on our team. Please join us in celebrating Stacey for this incredible and well-deserved recognition! 👏💙

05/22/2026

Welcome Wednesday is RSVP-Northern Virginia’s monthly gathering where volunteers come together to connect, build community, and serve side by side.

At our May gathering, volunteers enjoyed an afternoon of movement, creativity, and meaningful service. To start, RSVP volunteer John Graham, who has trained in tai chi for many years, led the group through a tai chi session. Afterwards, volunteers rolled up their sleeves for hands-on projects, creating literacy kits and I-spy jars to support children’s learning and development in our community.

Thank you to John and to everyone who joined us for another wonderful Welcome Wednesday! 💛🐝

04/22/2026

30 years of showing up 💛

This Global Volunteer Month, we’re celebrating Stacey Brahmey, who started volunteering in 1995…and never stopped.

Three decades of kindness. Of consistency. Of choosing community again and again. Stacey, thank you for being such an incredible part of this work.

🔗 Read more about Stacey's journey: https://www.volunteerfairfax.org/thirty-years-of-service-staceys-journey-with-food-friends/.

04/20/2026

Happy !

During National Volunteer Week and Global Volunteer Month, we’re proud to celebrate RSVP volunteers who continue to show up for our community with care, experience, and dedication.

Today is a great time to recognize a fellow volunteer, share a story, or reflect on the impact of service across Northern Virginia.

Your time and commitment continue to make a difference every day.

Thank you for all that you give. 💛💜🐝

04/01/2026

We recently wrapped up another RSVP grant year and celebrated with the people who make it all possible, our volunteers and partners! This year’s theme, Building to Bloom, came to life as we gathered to reflect, connect, and look ahead together.

To make the moment even more meaningful, we welcomed Loretta Veney, a certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator, as our guest speaker. Volunteers had the opportunity to hear her story and journey as a caregiver for her mother, who was diagnosed with dementia, and how she went on to bring joy not only to her family, but to people around the world through the power of LEGO building.

Guests also participated in a LEGO building activity and learned more about the power of LEGO engagement. Volunteers and partners enjoyed time together, great food and gifts. Many have already committed to joining us again for the next grant year, and we are so excited for what’s ahead.

Thank you all for joining us and for your continued commitment to giving back to our community.

&SeniorVolunteer

04/01/2026

03/20/2026

Recently, our Retired and Senior Volunteer Program was represented at AmeriCorps Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where RSVP volunteers Bob Kovacs and Mary Ellen Dawley participated in the AmeriCorps Week panel discussion, “Why We Serve: Voices from the Field.”

We are grateful to Bob and Mary Ellen for sharing their experiences and reflections on service with AmeriCorps staff. Their voices helped highlight why national service matters and the meaningful impact volunteers make in communities every day.

We are so grateful for the time, insight, and heart they brought to this conversation. Thank you for representing RSVP Northern Virginia with such care and commitment.

03/11/2026

Happy AmeriCorps Week! 🎉
This week, we celebrate the power of service and the volunteers who make a lasting impact in communities nationwide.

A special thank-you to our RSVP-NV Northern Virginia volunteers and community partners who show up every day to make a difference. Because of you, needs are met, lives are changed, and communities grow stronger.

Thank you for your service! 💜

02/27/2026

Our February Welcome Wednesday engagement event brought together volunteers for learning, service, and community-building. At this month’s event, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Sara T. Pappa, Associate Professor in the Health and Human Performance Department at Marymount University, for a timely presentation on Falls Prevention, offering practical strategies to reduce fall risk as we age. We were also glad to have our partner, Elena Alergant from NV Rides, join us to share volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved.

As usual, volunteers rolled up their sleeves by completing multiple projects to support our partners. Together, we completed:

- 610 emergency education bags for the American Red Cross (Sound the Alarm)
- 70 handmade cards for Volunteer Solutions meal recipients
- 60 “I Spy” learning containers for local classrooms (GrandInvolve)
- 100 NV Rides recruitment bags

Thank you to everyone who joined us! Interested in learning more about our Retired and Senior Volunteer Program? Visit www.rsvpnova.org and sign up for an information session.

12/22/2025

Throughout this year, RSVP volunteers have shown up with open hearts and helping hands, turning everyday needs into moments of care and connection. Your kindness and commitment have touched lives, strengthened our community, and reminded so many people that they are not alone. We celebrate you and all that you have given, wish you a warm and joyful holiday season, and look forward to continuing this meaningful work together in 2026.

Mele Kalikimaka and Happy Holidays!