The South Lakes High School homecoming parade is scheduled for Friday, and students are taking advantage of the opportunity to support a good cause.

SLHS Leadership has teamed up with the Texas Association of Student Councils to collect funds for Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, where students and their families are still trying to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.

The SLHS homecoming parade will begin at 5 p.m. Friday at Hunters Woods Village Center. It will proceed down Colts Neck Road to South Lakes Drive to the high school, where is is expected to arrive between 6 and 6:30 p.m., and it will be followed by the South Lakes Seahawks’ homecoming game against Langley.

According to information provided by the school:

There will be people in the parade walking with a float collecting donations. Additionally, there will be a collection area at the football game. We wanted to do something for a particular place, rather than just collecting for general purposes. Student leaders have been in touch with the student council adviser at [Barbers Hill High School], who will distribute whatever is collected to families who have been most affected by the devastation.

Donations can be made in the form of cash, gift cards, or checks made out to South Lakes HS, with “Barbers Hill HS” written in the subject line. In addition to during the parade and game, donations can be dropped off at the main office of the school (11400 South Lakes Drive). Lyn Fiscus, SLHS Leadership teacher, is in charge of the donations.

The theme of the homecoming parade is “Channel Your Seahawk Spirit.” There will be floats created by each class, high school teams, honor societies, administration, the band, JROTC, the dance team, feeder elementary schools and more. Food trucks will be set up in the school’s stadium-side parking lot after the parade, to allow participants and spectators the opportunity to grab something to eat before the football game.

Image courtesy Lyn Fiscus, SLHS Leadership teacher

Three elementary schools in Herndon are part of a group of schools that have “adopted” a Houston-area school district recovering from Hurricane Harvey.

Fairfax County Public Schools’ Region 5 — which includes Coates, Floris and McNair elementary schools in Herndon — is raising money to support Fort Bend Independent School District in Sugar Land, Texas. According to information provided by Coates Elementary:

As you are well aware, our nation has recently been impacted by devastating hurricanes in Texas and Florida. We have seen, and been deeply moved by, the images and footage showing this devastation and the impact it is having on families and children. Many FCPS parents, students, and staff have been asking themselves and each other, “How can I help? What can WE do to ease the suffering?” So we decided to start a fundraiser focused on helping schools and students!

Region 5, part of Fairfax County Public Schools, in Northern Virginia will “adopt” the Fort Bend Independent School District in Houston, Texas. Fort Bend ISD serves approximately 74,500 students from very diverse backgrounds which makes them a great match for us.

We are asking all Region 5 schools, made up of nearly 34,000 students, to team up and raise money to help children, families, and schools in Texas. We are a community of learners, and we are committed to supporting learning and families in our nation’s community.

A GoFundMe page set up for the effort shows a little over $7,000 has been collected as of Monday. The fundraiser has a $100,000 goal, according to the page.

Fort Bend ISD’s website reports that numerous schools in the district suffered flood damage during Harvey, and free meals and other services are being provided for students who are homeless or displaced as a result of the storm.

FCPS public information officer John Torre said while he isn’t aware of any similar projects taking place from other FCPS regions, there are other individual schools that have initiated their own hurricane relief efforts.

‘Fill The Boot’ Campaign Sets All-Time Record — In its Labor Day Weekend campaign to raise money for the Greater Washington MDA and for Hurricane Harvey relief, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue raised $631,278.65. That is the highest total raised by any municipality in the history of the campaign. Half a million dollars from the drive will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, while the other $131,278.65 went to the disaster relief fund. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]

Pool Schedule Input Session is Sunday — The Reston Association Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee will be available on Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon during an open house at The Lake House (11450 Baron Cameron Avenue) to collect member input on the 2017 pool schedule, as well as thoughts and suggestions about what should be done in 2018. [Reston Now]

Inmate Dies After Medical Event in County Jail Cell — Detectives are investigating the death of a 53-year-old inmate who suffered a medical emergency in her cell on Aug. 31. The inmate died Thursday at a hospital in Fairfax. [Fairfax County Police Department]

Canned Food Will Be Connected at Football Game — At tonight’s high school football game between South Lakes and Oakton, being played at OHS (2900 Sutton Road), fans are encouraged to bring canned food to be donated to hurricane victims. [South Lakes Student Government Association]

Nuclear Fuel Developer Signs New Deal — Reston-based nuclear fuel developer Lightbridge Corp. has signed a binding agreement with a North Carolina company for a joint venture to commercialize and manufacture a new line of advanced metallic fuel for nuclear plants. [Washington Business Journal]

A pair of Terraset Elementary School students worked hard during their Labor Day holiday to help those in need in Texas.

Second-grader Olivia Rosengart and first-grader Kaia Rappe put together a bake sale to raise money to donate to the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Olivia’s mother, Sandi Rosengart, said they were able to raise $300 for the cause thanks to donations from neighbors and friends.

“The money will be donated to the Houston Humane Society as well as the Save The Children organization,” Sandi Rosengart said. “Both were organizations of choice by the girls.”

Olivia’s mother said both girls are thankful for the generosity of their community to help them provide some support for the kids and animals of the Houston area.

Photo courtesy Sandi Rosengart

Residents looking for a place to leave items for Hurricane Harvey relief can do so at Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins’ office at the North County Governmental Center (1801 Cameron Glen Drive).

According to a statement from Hudgins:

Like you, I am in shock from seeing the devastation Hurricane Harvey has brought to the people of Houston and its surrounding counties. In an effort to help those victimized by this storm, my office [at] the North County Governmental Center (1801 Cameron Glen Drive Reston, VA) will act as an American Red Cross Drop Off Center from September 5th until noon on September 15th. I ask that items are dropped out during our normal business hours, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, and are not left in the lobby which may interfere with Police operations.

Hudgins said items that are being sought include new or gently used clothing, shoes, household items and kitchenware. In addition, she said, “there has also be a large cry for unused underwear for those of all ages and diapers.”

“I thank you for your generosity and support of your fellow human,” Hudgins said.

For a full list of items that can be accepted, follow this link.

Dominion Rates Going Down as of Today –The net impact of the changes for the monthly bill for the typical Dominion Energy residential customer is a decrease of 1.1 percent, lowering the typical bill from $117.20 to $115.65, which is 30 cents lower than in February 2015. [Dominion Energy]

Bechtel Selected to Complete Georgia Nuclear Plant Expansion — Bechtel has been chosen by Georgia Power to complete construction of a two-reactor expansion of a nuclear power plant near Augusta, Georgia. These will be the first new units built in the U.S. in the last three decades. [Markets Insider]

King, Browns Finish Preseason Undefeated — Deon King, a South Lakes High School graduate, recorded one tackle Thursday night as the Cleveland Browns shut out the Chicago Bears, 25-0. The Browns finish the preseason with a 4-0 record. In the four games, King recorded nine tackles (including seven solo) and a fumble recovery. ESPN’s roster projection has him making the cut and being part of the 53-man regular-season squad. [ESPN]

Fairfax Crew Making Rescues in Flooded Texas — Fairfax Fire and Rescue provided an update Thursday of its efforts to help with rescue operations in flood-ravaged southeast Texas. They have helped save six people and two pets from flooded areas, and they have also assisted an owner with accessing and retrieving three more pets. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]

Last Day to Get Comments In on BikeShare Locations — Comments on plans for 10 new Captial BikeShare stations in Reston, including nine south of the Dulles Toll Road, must be in by close of business today. [Fairfax County Department of Transportation]

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue’s 2017 “Fill the Boot” campaign, its annual fundraiser for the Greater Washington Muscular Dystrophy Association, is this weekend.

The Labor Day tradition, which has been going on for more than 35 years, raises hundreds of thousands each year for MDA. This year, some of that money will go to another very important cause.

“This week members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, along with the rest of the world, watched devastation unfold in Texas,” reads a press release issued Thursday morning. “We knew that we wanted to do something to help. The staff at the Greater Washington Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and National MDA also felt that need. With that in mind a recommendation was made that, for municipalities interested, a portion of ‘Fill the Boot’ money should go to a disaster relief fund.”

Fairfax County has decided that $50,000 of the money it raises in this year’s effort will go toward the Hurricane Harvey relief effort.

The campaign will take place Friday through Monday, and drivers are asked to watch for uniformed firefighters with apparatus on display at controlled intersections all over the county.

Last year, Fire and Rescue reports that the $521,509 it raised through the campaign was the most among any department in the United States and Canada — an accomplishment it says it has achieved in eight of the past 10 years.

According to the Greater Washington Muscular Dystrophy Association, funding it receives goes toward:

• The annual weeklong MDA Children’s Summer Camp, where kids from 6 to 17 years old can have a “typical” camp experience with their peers. They enjoy swimming, boating, zip line, crafts, a talent show and many other activities all tailored to their specific disability. This week also provides a respite for the families from the sometimes 24-hour-a-day job of caring for a special needs child. This camp is provided free of charge for the families.
• The MDA clinic at Georgetown University Hospital and Children’s National Medical Center. This “one-stop shop” allows those with neuromuscular disease to see all of their specialists, such as their cardiologist, neurologist, pulmonologist, occupational therapist and many others in one location. This alleviates the need to make appointments and travel throughout the D.C. area to the many medical professionals that they see on a regular basis.
• Research at the National Institutes of Health and Georgetown University.
• Programs designed to help people with neuromuscular disease live, go to school and work independently.

For more information about the work of the MDA, visit its website.

Image courtesy Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

The community is invited to Café Montmarte (1625 Washington Plaza, at Lake Anne) tonight from 5:30-7 p.m. for a fundraiser to benefit aid to Hurricane Harvey victims.

According to Mark Griffin, program chair for the Rotary Club of Reston, the event will raise money for Disaster Aid USA.

“[Disaster Aid USA] has a very good track record of giving money directly to the beneficiaries,” Griffin said in a Facebook video.

The Rotary Club will be asking for a $20 donation from each attendee, Griffin said. That will include one free drink and appetizers, he said.

Disaster Aid USA is a Rotarian-operated project, and it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. According to its executive director, Kenneth “Larry” Agee, the organization has crews currently in Texas and Louisiana helping the cause.

“Money for supplies and equipment are needed ASAP to purchase and rent more equipment; water pumps, pressure washers, demolition equipment, cleaning supplies including spray to prohibit mold, tools for removal of wet wall board, insulation and other water-damaged building materials,” Agee said Monday.

The Rotary Club of Reston hosts its monthly networking event on the final Wednesday of each month at Café Montmartre.

Want to help #Harvey victims? Make a cash donation to a reputable charity. Read this & beware of charity scams. https://t.co/3FHZcPshY3 pic.twitter.com/ys14Bp14jH

— Fairfax County (@fairfaxcounty) August 29, 2017

We’ve all been affected by the scenes coming from southeast Texas recently as Hurricane Harvey hammered that part of the country.

As residents seek ways to lend a hand to those suffering in that area, Fairfax County officials are warning that scams abound during situations such as these.

“Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or good cause,” reads the Charity Fraud page on the county Department of Cable and Consumer Services website. “Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines.”

Among the suggestions provided:

• Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming emails by clicking on links contained within those messages.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via email or social networking sites.
• Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by using online resources that may assist in confirming the group’s existence and its nonprofit status, rather than following a purported link to the site.
• Be cautious of emails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf to ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes.
• Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.
• If you are solicited by a charity, don’t feel rushed or pressured into making an immediate commitment. Ask the caller or solicitor to provide written information about the charity’s programs and finances before you make a contribution.

The county’s Office of Consumer Affairs is available to answer any questions a resident may have about a charity. The office can be contacted at 703-222-8435 or by email at [email protected].

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says donating cash to a reputable charitable organization is the best way to provide support from afar.

The New York Times has provided a list of local and national organizations to which one might consider donating, including:

• The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
• Houston Food Bank and Food Bank of Corpus Christi
• Carter Blood Care
• Houston Humane Society and San Antonio Humane Society
• United Way of Greater Houston
• The American Red Cross

FEMA recommends visiting the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website to find out more ways to help.