Community Briefs – Fredericksburg.com

The Virginia Osprey Foundation, based in Colonial Beach, has contributed $1,000 to the Center for Conservation Biology to support their study, “Understanding Population-Level Consequences of Continued Nutritional Stress in the Chesapeake Bay Osprey.”

The donation “represents the foundation’s ongoing commitment to osprey conservation and supports important research into the challenges these iconic birds face in their Chesapeake Bay habitat,” according to a news release.

The Chesapeake Bay is home to one of the most significant osprey populations in the world, but recent findings highlight an alarming trend: osprey populations are experiencing increased nutritional stress, which is affecting growth and survival rates. The Center for Conservation Biology study aims to investigate the root causes and potential long-term effects of food shortages. Findings from this research will help shape conservation strategies that maintain healthy osprey populations.

The annual BSA Scouting For Food Drive encourages youth to serve their communities by addressing food insecurity. The campaign, which runs until December 14, collects donations for the holidays and the months after.

Some units, like Troop 850 of Stafford County, are outside stores looking for donations, while others are handing out reminders on door hangers in neighborhoods, then returning Saturday, Nov. 9, to collect donations.

Community members also have the option to donate through a virtual campaign. Products sought include canned proteins; nut oils; meat soups, stews and chili; vegetable, bean and fruit preserves; healthy cereals; rice and pasta; and hygiene products.

Donations go to several church pantries in Stafford. Last year, more than 650 local Staffordshire Scouts, leaders and family members from 33 different troops collected almost 22,100 pounds of food.

Residents who do not receive a door tag can drop off donations until noon Saturday, Nov. 9, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at 1201 Courthouse Drive in Stafford or Hartwood Presbyterian Church, 25 Hartwood Road.

More information is available at or by contacting [email protected].

Friends of the Rappahannock distributes trees at events throughout the river’s watershed and invites residents to plant native plants and trees in the ground to protect the water.

Each household can get up to three free trees such as red maple and white oak, black gum, eastern redbud and flowering dogwood. Those interested can place their orders online and select the gift closest to them as found on the website https://riverfriends.org/fall-2024-tree-giveaways.

There will be a giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at Cosner Park, at 1 HCC Drive in Spotsylvania County. More information is available at [email protected].

The George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Westmoreland County will celebrate the rich traditions, languages ​​and innovations of the Native people of the Northern Neck Sunday, Nov. 10, with cultural demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the park’s memorial area.

Lisa Brighteyes Richardson Deresz, Rappahannock Citizen and Language Ambassador for the Omisun Project-Powhatan Algonquian Intertribal Roundtable, will offer an introduction to Powhatan Algonquian and the indigenous language revitalization process. Visitors will have the opportunity to hear and perhaps recognize Algonquian words that have Powhatan Algonquian roots.

Brad Hatch, chief justice of the Pattawomec Tribal Council and master eel pot maker, will demonstrate the construction of traditional split oak eel traps and display Pattawomec material culture representing the history of his community spanning thousands of years.

Scott Strickland of the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory will discuss what archaeologists look for when identifying arrowheads and pottery from the Chesapeake region. He will have examples spanning thousands of years of human history and discuss what they reveal.

The George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located at 1732 Popes Creek Road, Colonial Beach.

The nonprofit Community Threads provides clothing for men and women in need.

The clothes they should provide include warm clothes, work clothes, interview clothes and everyday clothes. Shoes will be available.

The clothes will be available at a two-day event, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 13-14, at Chancellor Ruritan, 5994 Plank Road, Fredericksburg.

James Cech of the Montclair Lions Club is the 2024 Governor of Virginia Lions Club International District 24L. The 88 clubs across the country support projects such as Leader Dogs for the Blind; LEARNS, a school program that provides information about diabetes; the Fairy Godmother project, Ellie’s Elves; and Mary Washington Hospital Cancer Assistance, as well as Lions’ signature vision and hearing screening programs.

Cech sponsored the group’s recent fall conference at the Dulles Holiday Inn and shared three goals: highlight working district clubs; contribution to the mission of the Lions Club International Fund; and educating Lions about the annual US/Canada Leadership Forum.

Members of The Compassionate Friends of Fredericksburg branch will join thousands of families around the world to light candles at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 8, to remember their children who have passed away.

The event will be part of a special service beginning at 3 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 5120 Harrison Road in Spotsylvania County. It will include special music, readings and the lighting of candles reciting the names of children, grandchildren and siblings.

Since 1997, the worldwide ceremony has been Compassionate Friends’ gift to those grieving during the holiday season, a time of year that can be difficult for many.

A book of memories will be open for posting on the website, which will receive thousands of tributes from family members and other caring people. More information is available locally from Kathie Kelly at 540/220-4325 or online at www.compassionatefriends.org.

Foundation First, which has an office in Spotsylvania County, launched the 2024 Workforce and Child Care Survey to gather critical data on workforce needs and child care services that can support working families.

The survey was designed to gather information about what forms of childcare assistance companies currently offer; assessment of the scope of family-related benefits such as flexible working arrangements and parental leave; assess how important employees consider childcare support and identify areas where companies can improve; explore the likelihood of implementing or extending childcare support in the next 12 months; identifying common challenges businesses face in providing comprehensive childcare assistance; and find out how offering childcare support impacts employee performance, retention and overall satisfaction.

The survey is open to businesses of all sizes and industries and their employees. Feedback will be kept confidential. The survey takes less than 10 minutes and the deadline for submission is December 6. It is available at https://bit.ly/3Yjhc6Q.

After the survey is completed, the results will be analyzed and the findings will be shared with all participants in February.

The King George High School DECA Chapter is holding its annual Veterans Day 5K & 1Mile Fun Run on Monday, November 11 at the school stadium.

Registration is open to all ages. Registration and on-site check-in starts at 8am. The 1 mile fun run is $10 and starts at 8:30am. The 5K is $20 and starts at 8:45am. Online registration is available at runsignup.com/Race/VA /KingGeorge/VeteransDay5Kand1milerun with more information at the kgdeca.org website.

Proceeds go to the Some Gave All Foundation. Donations will be accepted at the registration location and in person.