More than 450 children, teens, and adults trooped into Dewberry Hall Monday at George Mason University’s Johnson Center to volunteer their time on our National Day of Service, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The service project, "Give Together:  A Family Volunteer Day," was planned and presented by Volunteer Fairfax.  For 35 years, this outstanding organization has provided leadership to people and groups that seek opportunities to help others. Presently, it coordinates services to more than 900 associations in and around Fairfax County.  A full-time staff of 10 and “two really great interns” manage the work of Volunteer Fairfax, explained Emily Davis, senior manager of partnerships.

Christopher Copley, the group's communications coordinator, praised the activity on Martin Luther King’s birthday, saying it enables children not only to have fun with their families, but also to learn that it is both easy and satisfying to assist others.

The program was extremely well organized.  Six activities were sponsored by six non-profits, and were each designated by a color.  The tables where the families worked had matching tablecloths.  With the bright color-coding, children could easily remember the projects they had completed and find ones they had not. Amazingly, not one person looked lost or confused.

The Fairfax 4-H was represented by Lenah Nguyen, Fairfax County’s extension agent, and members of two dog clubs.  From Herndon came Krazy for K-9s, which is about 25 years old, and Nutts for Mutts from Springfield and Lorton.  These service-oriented youngsters showed the volunteers how to braid dog pull-toys out of colorful fleece, which they will give to dog rescue groups.

A group called FACETS helps homeless people by finding housing and offering counseling and classes. Children are an important part of their mission. The families working at the FACETS’ tables decorated and stuffed beautiful activity and snack bags for needy boys and girls.

The Herndon Senior Center focused on our deployed troops, who will receive “kaleidoscope” cards made by the volunteers. The cards were so striking that Hallmark might want to acquire a copyright. The families were assisted in this challenging activity by many high school students, who obviously enjoyed being there. C.J. Tragakis, an 18 year-old senior at Lake Braddock, said that the day was “a good way to show our support for the troops and a great way to get kids volunteering at a young age.” He has been involved with Volunteer Fairfax for about five years himself.

The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia was represented by Laurie Albert, who is the community engagement coordinator. “This is what we do,” she said as she greeted me cheerily with a smile, introducing some of her volunteers. Janet Shearer is employed by Kaiser-Permanente, one of Volunteer Fairfax’s partners. Alicia Hogenmiller, a Lake Braddock senior and a member of the National Honor Society, proudly showed me the festive get-well bags crafted at their station. Each contained a handmade bead bracelet, which will surely make any hospitalized child happier.

 Operation Military Kids, sponsored by the U.S. Army, works with community-action groups all across the nation. Its function is supporting children whose parents are deployed. At the Day of Service, volunteers wrote and illustrated touching letters, which will be included in "Hero Packs" for military families.

The last group was the Orphan Foundation of America (OFA). Centered in Northern Virginia, it serves the entire country. Can you imagine being on your own at 18 with no parents, no foster parents, no home? Approximately 25,000 teens “age out” of the system each year in the United States. OFA helps young people who find themselves in this situation. Scholarships, job placements, internships, mentoring, and care packages are some of the foundation’s services.

Lynn Davis, director of partnership development, helped the volunteers make lovely Valentines for care packages. She enthusiastically discussed the success rate of the OFA scholarship recipients, who are three times more likely to graduate from college in five years than other “independent” students.

After children finished all six projects, they spent time at The Reflection Station, which was staffed by volunteers.  Julie Duong, a senior at Oakton High School, and Han Dong, a Westfield Senior, enjoyed being with the youngsters. They talked to them, “debriefing” them and helped them evaluate their experiences. Each girl and boy received a Certificate of Participation from Volunteer Fairfax, along with tips on how to continue volunteering.

At the Reflection Station, evaluations were heartwarming. Just a tiny sample shows the success of the project:

•  “I made many cards for children to make them smile.”
• “I did projects that will bring a smile to someone who needs it.”
• "I made people and animals happy. Made me happy, too."
• “Even though I’m only four, I made a difference,” one preschooler dictated.

Chris Copley credited Volunteer Fairfax staff member Daneen Matheson for her tireless work in organizing and promoting the event. He thanked WJLA-TV for its promotion and “Premier Partner,” George Mason University, for the generous use of the facility. He was delighted about the success of this Day of Service, which truly honored Dr. Martin Luther King, one of the greatest volunteers and change agents in our nation’s history.