Happy Thanksgiving! In Fairfax County, we have so much for which to give thanks – good schools, safe streets, clean water and air, neighbors who care, and many volunteers who identify a need and then step in to fill it. We have an enviable quality of life in Fairfax County, and it takes all of us to maintain it. As we gather and give thanks for family and friends, let us also give thanks for so many non-profit groups that help sustain our neighbors who may not be as fortunate:

• The Annandale Christian Community for Action (www.accacares.org) is a consortium of faith communities that operates a food pantry, a furniture mission, emergency rent and utility assistance, as well as an outstanding Child Development Center in Annandale.
• Just Neighbors (www.justneighbors.org) is a non-profit based in Mason District that provides legal services for immigrants. Of special note are services for victims of Domestic Violence.

• The Culmore Clinic (www.culmoreclinic.org) is an interfaith, non-profit health care clinic, providing compassionate and culturally sensitive medical care, counseling, and specialty referrals, at little or no cost, to low-income adults in the Bailey’s Crossroads community.

• The mission of Good Spoon (www.goodspoon.org) in Annandale is to preach the Gospel while providing needed services in the community. The Korean-based nonprofit works with all members of the community with special outreach to the Latino day labor population in Annandale.

• The Charity Group of Virginia Affection (www.tuthientinhthuongva.com) began 10 years ago as a small family-based non-profit to assist Vietnamese refugees here and in Vietnam. A major focus is providing college scholarships for students, as well as providing books for children and helping in disaster emergencies.

• Northern Virginia Family Services (www.nvfs.org) was selected this fall to operate the Bailey’s Community Shelter, a 50-bed facility for adults who currently are homeless. With a focus on rapid rehousing, NVFS is moving clients from homelessness to transitional housing as part of Fairfax County’s 10 Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.

All of these non-profit organizations are based or operate in Mason District, and are deserving of monetary support, volunteer hours and, as appropriate, donations of other goods and services. There are many more worthy organizations; please support your favorite ones.

The revised draft Master Plan for Green Spring Gardens will be the subject of a public meeting on Wednesday, December 2, from 7 – 9 p.m., at the Horticultural Center at Green Spring Gardens, 4601 Green Spring Road in Lincolnia (enter from Braddock Road onto Witch Hazel Road and into the parking lot).

The 20th Annual Mason District Holiday Town Gathering will be held on Thursday, December 3, at 7 p.m. at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Join your neighbors and friends for refreshments, live musical entertainment, my annual State of the District recap, door prizes, and a community kickoff to the holiday season.

I look forward to seeing you there.

 Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.