BRIEFS: Fort Lee seeking Holiday Helper volunteers

Fort Lee seeking Holiday Helper volunteers

Fort Lee's Holiday Helper program is seeking volunteers to make cards for Fort Lee soldiers who will not travel home for the holidays and will be separated from their family and friends.

On Christmas Eve, goodie bags and the cards will be delivered to barracks as a thank-you for soldiers' service and to let them know they are not forgotten.

The goal is to deliver at least 300 cards to Fort Lee soldiers. Volunteers can make one or two cards or as many as 50. For those who would like to participate, cards need to be completed by Dec.16. They can be mailed or delivered to Army Community Service, 1231 Mahone Ave, Fort Lee, VA 23801 . For details, call (804) 734-7965.

Commonwealth Singers forming reunion choir

Alumni vocalists of Commonwealth Singers at Virginia Commonwealth University are forming a reunion choir directed by John Guthmiller.

Proceeds from a concert scheduled for Feb. 8 will benefit VCU's Friends of Music Fund. Former Commonwealth Singers are invited to sing. To join the choir, visit www.common wealthsingersreunion.com, or call B.J. Barlow at (804) 263-8521.

Holiday program set Dec. 6 in Jackson Ward

The National Park Service in Richmond's historic Jackson Ward will sponsor a holiday program on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The park's visitors center, at 600 N. 2nd St., will feature holiday songs performed by the First African Baptist Church Orchestra at 3 p.m. There will be hot cider, and children will be invited to make an ornament they can take home. Throughout the day, park rangers and volunteers will provide walking tours of Jackson Ward that will include a visit to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center, where they will be greeted by Santa Claus.

Guided tours of Maggie L. Walker's home also will be available, with lessons about the life and legacy of Walker and her work as an entrepreneur and a civil-rights activist.

For details or to make a reservation for groups of 10 or more, call (804) 771-2017, ext. 24.