William Ramsay Recreation Center

Washington Wizards give backpacks to 700 Alexandria students

Published August 15, 2025 at 3:00PM

The Washington Wizards helped tip off the 2025-26 school year with a giveaway event at William Ramsay Recreation Center on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Washington Wizards helped tip off the 2025-26 school year with a backpack and supplies giveaway today (Aug. 15) at William Ramsay Recreation Center.

Wizards forward Anthony Gill made a surprise appearance and joined rookies Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Jamir Watkins at the event. The players, along with mascot G-Wiz and the Wizards Dancers, gave 700 backpacks to the students at William Ramsay Elementary School (5700 Sanger Avenue), which is located next to the recreation center and officially opens for the first day on Monday, Aug. 18.

ALIVE! seeks volunteers for free food distributions across Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 14, 2025 at 11:15AM

Food at ALIVE! (Photo via ALIVE!/Facebook)

ALIVE! is giving away free food to needy residents at multiple locations this month, and volunteers are needed to help.

The nonprofit issued a call for volunteers this week on social media, and the free food distributions are specifically for city residents. Attendees are asked to bring reusable grocery bags and proof of city residency. The locations and hours of the distributions are below.

ALIVE! is giving away groceries at these two distribution points on Saturday

By James Cullum

Published July 21, 2025 at 1:00PM

Food at ALIVE! (Photo via ALIVE!/Facebook)

ALIVE! is hosting two free food distributions this week in Alexandria.

The nonprofit gives away free food to approximately 20,000 families in the city every month. No registration is needed, although proof of city residency may be requested. The walk-up distributions will be on Saturday (July 26) from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 West Reed Avenue) and William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Avenue).