Volunteer Fairfax History
A Bright Beginning
The Volunteer Center was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1975, and was known as the Voluntary Action Center of Fairfax County (VAC). In 1976-77, 211 volunteers were referred to various nonprofit agencies within the County. Programs during the first 10 years of the VAC included direct referrals of volunteers, Alternative Community Service, Seniors in Action and a youth volunteer program. Two staff members worked with volunteer staff and the 15 members of the Board of Directors.
Program Growth
In 1989, programs expanded to include the Students Involved in Volunteering in corporation with Fairfax County Public Schools, and the Heart to Heart Telethon at WAMU radio. Staffing increased to four and 31 supporting board members.
The VAC Becomes Volunteer Fairfax
In 1992, the focus of the VAC began to change and the Center was renamed Volunteer Fairfax. The direct referral of volunteers was altered to a general referral process in order to accommodate the increase in volunteers seeking placement. A youth directory was developed and is still prepared each year for the school system. In 1993, the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards were instituted. In the first year, 350 attended this County-wide event; in 2009 more than 450 community and business leaders honored 114 nominees. In 1995, the first VolunteerFest® was held in celebration of National Make a Difference Day and the Change Gang (later renamed Volunteers for Change) was developed as a direct program for weekend and evening volunteer projects. In 1998, the premium membership program was established, as well as the nonprofit training series and the corporate sponsorship program.
Volunteer Fairfax Today
Today Volunteer Fairfax is building a better community through volunteerism. Ten staff members and three long-term volunteers provide 10 programs and 25 services like BusinessLink, Emergency Response, Nonprofit Training Series, Volunteers for Change, Give Together: A Family Volunteer Day, Girl Scout Patch Program, ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program, Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards, VolunteerFest® and Alternative Community Service.
