Community Notebook: Blood Drive Today; Food Drive Kicks Off

By Amber Lester Kennedy Wednesday, November 16, 2011

As we prepare to give thanks for all our good fortunes, local nonprofits are counting on us to spread the love. The Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency is kicking off its Christmas food drive, and needs a little extra help this year. Colonial Williamsburg is hosting a blood drive, and Riverside Hospice Fund will host a fundraiser next month. Read on for more details.

Community Action Agency Launches Food Drive

The Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency is looking for additional help this year for its Christmas Food Drive.

The major funder for the project has been hit with funding cuts and is only able to support the drive at 40 percent of its previous funding level. The agency is asking for donations of cash or food to help those in need.

A typical food basket includes: turkey, yams, green beans, stuffing, canned milk, fruit and vegetables. Food donations can be dropped off at WJCC Community Action Agency, 312 Waller Mill Road, Suite 405, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Cash donations can be mailed to the same address by Dec. 16.

Baskets will be packed on Dec. 21 at the Historic Triangle Community Services Center at 312 Waller Mill Road in the Center Room. Recipients can pick up baskets between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Dec. 21.

For more information, contact Andrea Carter or Yvonne Joseph at 229-9332.

Donate Blood Today

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and American Red Cross are sponsoring a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Woodlands Conference Center, located at 119 Visitor Center Drive.

All blood types are needed, according to the Red Cross. Those who wish to donate blood must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds and be in overall good health. Walk-ins are welcome.

Williamsburg Youth Orchestras Perform Sunday

The Williamsburg Youth Orchestras will kick off the 2011-12 season with a performance at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Kimball Theatre in Williamsburg.

The String Orchestra will perform, conducted by Karey Sitzler. The symphony, conducted by Music Director Akiko Fujimoto, will perform “Hoedown” by Copland, “Rosamunde Overture” by Schubert, and selections from Borodin’s “Symphony No. 2.” An auction will be held at intermission for a chance to conduct the WYO Symphony at the Winter Concert.

Tickets cost $8 for adults and $2 for students and children. Click here for more information.

Mason School Offers Business Help

The Mason School of Business at The College of William and Mary is offering consulting services to area businesses.

Students enrolled in a course call “Strategic Analysis and Consulting” assist companies/organizations in Williamsburg, Newport News and Richmond. The projects can be in almost any area, from marketing to finance to operations. Usually, the organizations have one main problem or opportunity the students can analyze. At the end of their study, the students make recommendations that organizations can choose to implement.

Businesses in the city of Williamsburg interested in the services should contact Economic Development Director Michele DeWitt at mdewitt@williamsburgva.gov by Monday. If chosen, the consulting services would be offered at no charge.

NetworkWilliamsburg Hosts Social Media Discussion

NetworkWilliamsburg will host a forum on social media usage in Williamsburg on Dec. 1.

The Williamsburg Community Foundation provided funding for NetworkWilliamsburg to examine social media trends in Williamsburg. Feedback Agency will provide its research and results, including current data, at the forum. Its report, which will offer best practices and strategic insights into how nonprofits can use social media, will be presented at the event. The study will later be available for $15.

The forum is open to the public, but due to limited seating, an RSVP is required. It costs $10 per person, including a copy of the report. Registration is free for registered nonprofits, and the report is $5.

For more information and to RSVP, contact info@networkwilliamsburg.com.

Riverside Hospice Fundraiser Set for Dec. 1

Riverside Hospice’s fundraiser, Legacy of Love, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Abingdon Ruritan Club in Gloucester.

WAVY TV 10 Anchorman Don Roberts will serve as Master of Ceremonies, and singer Anthony Campbell and harpist Jackie Wilton will perform. Guests will dine on hors d’oeuvres and a raffle will be held. In lieu of an admission fee, guests can make a donation to the Riverside Hospice Fund and/or purchase holiday keepsakes for $10 to $30.

The Riverside Hospice Fund provides financial assistance to hospice families in need. Reservations for the event are due Thursday. To make a reservation, call Kim at (757) 594-2745.

Colonial Williamsburg Hosts Ball at Governor’s Palace

Citizens in their finest dress can attend “Lady Dunmore’s Ball” at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Governor’s Palace.

The ball, billed as the “social event of the year,” gives guests the chance to interact with fine Colonial society, tour the palace by candlelight and enjoy English dance music. The evening concludes with an address from Lord and Lady Dunmore and a musket salute.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres with hot buttered rum and cider will be served during the evening. Tickets are $100. Reserve tickets for the event by calling 1-800-HISTORY.