West Springfield Civic Association

09/01/2026

Got a Donation Pile? This Is Your Saturday. 💙
If weekday drop-offs are hard to fit in, Saturday, September 5, from 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. is your chance—ECHO accepts Saturday donations once a month.
Bring gently used clothing, household goods, food, personal care items, and other essentials that can help local families stretch their budgets.
Check our current most-needed items before you come:
https://www.echo-inc.org/donate/donate-goods/

08/31/2026

How many times have you passed this house and wondered what it was? The historic house at Sunrise at Silas Burke House will be open for tours 10:30-12:15 on September 19. Tours are free and reservations not required.

08/30/2026

ECHO has a few openings for volunteers interested in Clothing, or Housewares or Food or the IT support team. In addition, ECHO is looking for some volunteers who are ready to put their leadership skills to work to serve the community. They hope to find some enthusiastic leaders for Directorships of Client Engagement, the Volunteer Program, and for Donation Management. To find out details, contact the Volunteer Coordinator through the website at www.echo-inc.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities.

Volunteer opportunities with ECHO let you give back through sorting donations, staffing programs, or helping clients directly.

08/29/2026

💙 Help support older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers with a variety of volunteer opportunities that will brighten someone’s day and help form new connections with Fairfax County Volunteer Solutions

Here’s how you can get involved:
🚗 Drivers for medical appointments, errands, or grocery shopping
🙌 Social visitors to help decrease social isolation
🏡 Household organizers to provide hands-on assistance
💃 Entertainers & skilled volunteers at Senior Centers countywide!

Volunteers are especially needed in Alexandria, Falls Church, and Annandale. Let’s make this year unforgettable by giving back! 💞 To learn more and register go to bit.ly/DFS-VS, email [email protected], or call 703-324-5406. Bilingual volunteers are needed, too. Visit bit.ly/bilingualVS.

08/28/2026

Sunset Soiree - Pressed Fern Art Workshop
Saturday, September 12
5-7 pm

Join us after-hours in the Horticulture Center. View the glasshouse tropicals in the light of the setting sun and peruse the art exhibit while enjoying a refreshing mocktail made with herbs grown at Green Spring Gardens. Then using a curated selection of preserved leaves and blooms, you’ll design your own delicate botanical piece while learning simple arranging and pressing techniques. Take home a beautiful creation that captures the quiet elegance of nature. Includes entry, mocktail, garden tour, and all supplies.
Adults --$21

Register for one of three time slots:
5:00pm Use Code IGW.VSM1
5:45pm Use Code IGW.5T5V
6:30pm Use Code IGW.6LWP

Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes or call Green Spring Gardens at 703-642-5173.

08/27/2026

A county-wide Stuff the Bus Day is scheduled for September 19, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Food donated at the Springfield Governmental Center, 6140 Rolling Road, is designated for ECHO’s Food Pantry. For the past 15 years, this Fairfax County Government initiative has brought thousands of pounds of urgently needed, non-perishable food and hygiene supplies to area non-profit organizations.

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

At today’s Board meeting, the Board approved my request jointly with Supervisors Alcorn and Lusk for the school system and police department to work together to identify the issues that have been created by the removal of high school crossing guards, if and how they can be mitigated, and the resources required to address them. They also approve my request for an update on the conversion of crossing guards from the police department employees to contracted crossing guards. Please see my comments on Channel 4 here: (https://www.nbcwashington.com/video/news/local/transportation/no-crossing-guards-at-fairfax-county-high-schools-causes-concerns/4145847/) and Herrity Report here: (https://conta.cc/4xhhQSq)

08/25/2026

Beginning Monday, August 31, 2026, the Department of Animal Services will temporarily close the Michael R. Frey Campus to complete an HVAC renovation that will take approximately six months. The Lorton Campus will remain open to the public with normal operating hours. Ahead of the closure, Fairfax County is focused on encouraging adoptions so fewer animals require housing during the renovation. The Department of Animal Services will be teaming up with NBCUniversal for Clear the Shelters from Friday through Sunday, August 21 to 23, with adoption fees waived at both campuses. To learn more about the closure and the Clear the Shelters event, please see here: (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalservices/renovation-and-campus-closure-updates)

08/23/2026

Join us as we host the 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Sept. 11, at 10:10 a.m.

📍 Attending in person? RSVP https://ow.ly/Bwke50ZCofX
💻 Can’t attend? Watch the ceremony livestream

Let us all reflect & remember the lives lost 25 years ago on September 11, 2001.