Fill an Empty Bowl - February 27

This Thursday, February 27, come help your neighbor in the Fairfax City/Fairfax County area by filling an Empty Bowl at the Sherwood Community Center from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

This annual tradition is in support of  Our Daily Bread, a Fairfax City-based non-profit organization helping those in need with a variety of services.

Whether its helping someone find a place to stay or get a meal to eat, Our Daily Bread is there for those when they need help the most.

In addition to contributing to a great organization and cause, you will also get a collectible bowl and be able to try out a variety of soups and stews.

By the way, Mayor Scott Silverthorne and members of the City Council had the honor of painting a bowl. I'll post a picture of my bowl later this week. My daughter, Sadie, helped with the design and painting.

For more information and to donate, visit Our Daily Bread's website by clicking here.

Welcome ... Again

Welcome back to The Corner Of ... A blog about the City of Fairfax, my work on the City Council and since it's that time again, my re-election campaign.

Along with my Facebook page and Twitter account - @Councilmandan - this site will include updates and information during and after the campaign. The election is Tuesday, May 6 2014. I would appreciate your support and your vote. And if you want to get involved with the campaign, please let me know by dropping a line to dan@danforfairfax.com.

I'll also be posting updates about City Council activities as well, including the upcoming budget discussion and re-development efforts underway in the City.

Speaking of the budget, the Fiscal Year 2015 budget (starts July 1, 2014), will be introduced on February 25 by City Manager Bob Sisson. As we have done before, there will be a time for public input and discussion at a variety of forums throughout the Spring. I encourage you to participate in the budget process. The Mayor and Council very much value your input on how your tax dollars are spent.

So, be on the lookout for more posts here, on Facebook and follow me on twitter. It's nice to be back to The Corner Of. I look forward to a great campaign and more importantly, the opportunity to serve the City of Fairfax on City Council and keeping the City moving forward.

Tis the Season ... For Helping

As we settle into the holiday break and enjoy friends, family and get a visit from the jolly old elf himself, the Drummond family wants to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Kerry and I are so blessed to have a wonderful family, with six little feet (Sadie, Patrick and Liam) waking us up each morning. And there is no more important of a morning to a child than Christmas. Seeing their eyes light up at the presents under the tree, the half-eaten cookies and carrots and of course the warmth of a hug, really trains one hearts on whom Christmas is meant for - the children.

But there are many children around our community who won't wake up to presents, the smell of cookies or the love of a parent. We have great wealth in this community; but also great poverty, much of which we don't see - or we turn a blind eye to, thinking that someone else will worry about it. Well, that's not exactly how it works. We all have to worry about it.

With this in mind, I ask that you find some time in the new year to help those in need. Certainly financial donations are appreciated, but so is your time. Get to know your neighbors and work within your own organizations - be they a place of worship or a non-profit - to find ways to help lift people out of poverty, give them hope and change their lives for the better.

There are certainly many great organizations to work with, but there are three that stand out for me, all based here in the City of Fairfax. The Lamb Center, Our Daily Bread and FACETS each helps members of the community in different ways, but they do so efficiently, effectively and with compassion. Please click on one of the groups' links and get involved.

Happy Holidays and enjoy the time with family, friends and neighbors. See you around town in 2013.