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As local food insecurity rises, Scouting for Food drive returns to Alexandria

Published November 5, 2026 at 2:45PM

Alexandria Scout collecting donations for the Scouting for Food drive (courtesy of National Capital Area Council)

Scouts will soon appear on doorsteps in Alexandria as part of a longtime campaign to keep neighbors in need from going hungry.

Scouting America National Capital Area Council will host its 40th annual Scouting for Food, one of the D.C. region’s longest-running food drives. On Saturday, Nov. 14, thousands of Scouts, parents and volunteers will be out in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland neighborhoods to collect non-perishable food donations for food banks, food pantries and organizations serving the food insecure.

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Volunteer musicians to play for Alexandria shelter animals through new program

By Emily Leayman

Published May 28, 2026 at 2:45PM

Musician plays at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (via AWLA)

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s animal shelter will now regularly be filled with the sound of live music.

AWLA is partnering with Wild Tunes, a nonprofit started by 10-year-old Yuvi Agarwal, to introduce live music by volunteer musicians at the animal shelter (4101 Eisenhower Avenue). The program kicked off Thursday (May 28).

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Alexandria leaders remember former ADC Chair Susan Bulkley Kellom

By James Cullum

Published April 13, 2026 at 2:45PM

Susan Bulkley Kellom (via Jack Powers/Facebook)

Alexandria leaders are mourning the death of Susan Bulkley Kellom, a longtime city resident, veteran, volunteer and former chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee. Kellom died on Saturday, April 11 at age 78. Her cause of death has not been disclosed.

Kellom moved to Old Town in 1983 with her husband, Ben, who died in 2021 at the age of 90. She was ADC chair from 1999 to 2010, chair of the Alexandria Electoral Board from 2012 to 2014, former chair of the city’s Human Rights Commission and member of the Youth Policy Commission. Kellom also served as a military police officer and was in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1980.

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Volunteers sought for Waterfront Park cleanup in Old Town this weekend

By Emily Leayman

Published April 10, 2026 at 2:45PM

A bench at Waterfront Park in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Volunteers will gather this weekend to clean up Waterfront Park, a popular gathering spot for Old Town visitors along the Potomac River.

The Alexandria Beautification Commission and NOVA Cleanups are hosting the volunteer cleanup from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday (April 12). Volunteers will pick up litter and debris throughout the park, covering walking paths, green spaces and the waterfront.

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Adopt-a-Park program kicking off in Alexandria with celebration next week

By James Cullum

Published March 10, 2026 at 10:30AM

Playing at Four Mile Run Park in Arlandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s annual Adopt-a-Park program is returning this spring, bringing community groups together to beautify the city’s parks and open spaces.

The program is kicking off with a celebration hosted by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities from 6-7:30 p.m. next Wednesday, March 18 at 2900 A Business Center Drive. The event is an opportunity for applicants and groups to connect with fellow volunteers, meet city staff, review updated procedures, get supplies and ask questions about the program.

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Volunteer program with local nonprofit teaches ACPS third graders how to ride bikes

By James Cullum

Published March 4, 2026 at 2:45PM

Nicole Radshaw, a pedestrian and bike support specialist, teaches bicycling to third graders at Patrick Henry K-8 School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Just before snowflakes fell on Monday afternoon, a class of third graders at Patrick Henry K-8 School were outside in the school basketball court learning how to ride bikes.

For three weeks every school year, all third graders at Alexandria City Public Schools are fitted with Trek bikes and taught bicycle safety and riding by volunteers and staff working with the Alexandria Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee‘s (BPAC) Bicycling in the Schools initiative. This school year, 1,266 students are in the program, which is currently seeking more volunteers.

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Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail receive ‘Trail of the Year’ award for renovation efforts

By Emily Leayman

Published March 2, 2026 at 3:15PM

Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail win the Trail of the Year Award from the Public Lands Alliance (via Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail/Facebook)

Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail, a volunteer group dedicated to trail maintenance and education efforts, was recognized with an award last month for its trail renovation work.

The organization was honored with the “Trail of the Year” award from the Public Lands Alliance at the nonprofit’s conference in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 23. The group received the award for its partnership with the National Park Service to renovate the George Washington Memorial Parkway’s trail surface and rest areas from 2024 to 2025.

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Volunteer Alexandria to honor dozens of community helpers at ceremony next month

By Katie Taranto

Published February 27, 2026 at 3:30PM

About 75 volunteers helped assemble the nearly 1,000 backpacks donated to the seven United Way of the National Capital Area community schools, including Alexandria’s Francis C. Hammond Middle School (courtesy photo)

Dozens of volunteers in Alexandria will be recognized next month for their contributions to the community last year.

Eighty-five honorees have been announced in Volunteer Alexandria’s annual awards program, Volunteers are the Heart of Alexandria, happening Thursday, March 12. The nonprofit, a top coordinator of volunteer services in the city, recorded more than 112,000 service hours in 2025 from over 4,260 volunteers — an estimated value exceeding $3.8 million.

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Alexandria temporarily suspends sidewalk enforcement while ‘Snow Buddy’ requests rise

By Katie Taranto

Published January 29, 2026 at 3:45PM

Sage Goyda and son participate in the Snow Buddy Program (courtesy of Volunteer Alexandria)

Alexandria has temporarily suspended its sidewalk-clearing requirements but is encouraging residents to help clear snow across the city, as the Snow Buddy Program is experiencing an uptick in assistance requests this week.

The city typically requires residents, businesses and property owners to clear sidewalks, driveways and entrances within 24 to 72 hours after snowfall, but enforcement is on pause, according to a city announcement this afternoon (Thursday). This comes as Volunteer Alexandria’s snow removal initiative has seen at least 25 new applications for help over the past few days.

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‘Snow Buddy’ volunteers help clear Alexandria neighbors’ sidewalks after storm

By Katie Taranto

Published January 27, 2026 at 12:35PM

Sage Goyda and son participate in the Snow Buddy Program (courtesy of Volunteer Alexandria)

A team of volunteers in Alexandria have bundled up to shovel and treat their neighbors’ walkways after this weekend’s winter storm.

For two decades, Volunteer Alexandria’s Snow Buddy Program has provided snow removal assistance to people with disabilities, homebound residents and seniors who meet income eligibility requirements. The program, which typically serves 30 to 40 residents, is meeting increased needs in the city, with 65 service requests from Alexandria residents so far this winter.

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Ceremony, volunteer events honoring Martin Luther King Jr. returning to Alexandria this month

By Katie Taranto

Published January 12, 2026 at 8:15AM | Updated January 12, 2026 at 8:41AM

Sign for Alexandria's 53rd Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ceremony on Jan. 15, 2026 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Alexandria’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Program returns this week, marking 53 years of city commemoration for the civil rights leader.

Guests can expect an evening of “delicious food, uplifting music, and speakers to honor the legacy of Dr. King,” according to the program website. A reception will be held from 5:30-6:20 p.m. on Thursday, and the program will run from 6:30-8 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (101 Callahan Drive)