My first visit to donating plasma was a very long process, as it is for every new donor. It will…read moretake about 2hrs, so prepare for that. During the 1st visit, one will have to watch an 18m video on what plasma is, what the process is like when donating, before, during, and after, different techniques you can use so that your blood won't clot the line, how the blood will be returned back to the body, etc. you will be taken into a room where, you scan your fingerprint to serve as your identity each time you visit. In this room, you will also tell the tech all locations of tattoos and body piercings. SN: if you have had a tattoo, a touch up on a tattoo, or body piercing within 4months, you will be deferred! You will then sit in the waiting area until you are called to answer 63 short questions about your health and medication use. Once that is done, you head over to the first line so that vitals can be taken. Once you pass, you will then go in another line labeled DONOR FLOOR. You'll wait until someone yells "Next" and proceed onto the Donor floor where there's rows and rows of curved chairs meant to have your legs elevated. Chairs are wiped down before sitting. When donating they will tell you to pump your fist to get the blood flowing. Now once I sat and the needle was in, I saw this woman who was flapping her legs up and down like Chucky . At first, I didn't know why she was doing it. I just thought she was being childish and impatient (at least that's what it looked like to me lol). It wasn't until my second visit (which took about 35m max) that I saw a man doing the same thing except his legs were going faster than the previous woman. Before you know it, his container was already filled with plasma, so I started doing the same thing. I was in and out of the donor floor within 32m! The ones who weren't pumping their fist and flapping their feet like Chucky were staying there 1hr minimum easyyyy. Staff are respectful, clean establishment, and they take great care of you from beginning to end. * You can only donate up to two times in a 7day period. New donors receive a higher incentive than return donors (must donate 5xs within your first 30days). As of June 8, 2024, new donors receive $100 for the first three donations and $75 for the last two donations within a 30day period.

It's been about 7yrs since I last volunteered in Brooklyn at God's Love We Deliver, so I decided to…read moreget that same old rewarding feeling back. At Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, there are several locations where you can volunteer. Just knowing that these families are being helped is a reward with in itself, and I appreciate organizations like this one. I'm going to make a commitment to volunteer more often like I used to in the past. It's been about a few days of volunteering, and I personally love the Young Terrace location. There's enough space to move around, and the guests (community) are grateful and very respectful. I've assisted with stocking and food distribution, but would love to see what's behind the scenes. Overall, if you want to give back to the community and feel amazing, check out a few locations, one may be real close to you. Sidenote: For those picking up food, there is a limit for each food category (canned goods, chicken, eggs, etc). You can have a bag full of produce. Quality is in good condition and some almost going bad, but you choose at your own discretion.

The most organized & informative volunteer event in the area. I'm grateful my work comes 1-2 times…read moreevery year. Walter is so helpful w/ the signup process and Bobby in the warehouse is amazing. Since the pandemic, my co-workers didn't get to go this year. However, I got a group from my daughter's school to volunteer. Once again, everything from beginning to end was organized and social distancing protocols were in place. Highly recommend volunteering at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. It's fun, safe, and helps those less fortunate. Win win!

Great organization that helps the local community. I prefer to donate here. They also pick up. They…read moreeven help those starting new jobs with professional business wardrobe.

The shelter part is amazing but once they get you into housing, they treat you like you don't…read morematter especially a caseworker Quiana she took away the one caseworker that was helping me replace it with herself. She barely respond to text messages. I've asked her to get me to safety and she just ignores me and treats me like I'm nothing definitely do not recommend and when they help you find a house they set you up for failure. They find places that you can't afford so you can't survive survive so be careful you can't even trust them

This is not my normal donation charity. But the timing was right. Having received a mailer that…read moretheir truck would be in my neighborhood on an optimal day, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. Having grown up a member of the Vietnam generation I know well the need these Veterans have. Many came home with severe PTSD, which was not understood and treated like it is today. The boys that came home were not the boys I had known before they served in the jungles, many drafted with no other option than to go, What happened over the years to these boys, who are now elderly men has been heartbreaking. There were suicides and divorces not too many years after their return. It was impossible to live with the severe PTSD, which I personally experienced. There is still homelessness and a plethora of other problems. So I was happy to make a donation towards their support from my purging project. It was time to get some bags out & open up the bedroom space they had been occupying, Not knowing their schedule, I put out the bags the night before. The next day my bags were gone with a donation receipt left in my door handle. They didn't detail the number of bags so I noted it on the receipt for tax purposes, Also left was a donation bag listing the items they accept & the most urgent request for clothing, I hope some or all of the clothing is used for veterans in need. But if their thrift store generates funding for their support or housing then I'm also happy. They accept almost anything except furniture, mattresses, larger appliances, TV's & computer monitors. Detailed needs were clothing all types & sizes, clothing accessories, shoes, baby items, houseware & glassware, books, toys, bikes, stereos, radios, portable TV's, bedding, draperies, curtains, kitchenware, usable small furniture & rugs, small appliances, tools, jewelry & cosmetics. They don't accept cash donations. Also noted is the fact that "Your tax deductions of usable discards is the only means of helping your veterans." It makes me happy to help the boys of my generation who received no support when they returned. Most went because of the draft. Many returned having experienced terrible horrors. Every time I see someone wearing a Vietnam Veteran's hat I thank them for their service. It makes me happy to help support those still struggling with my donations.

Another disastrous day at Sentara Leigh Hospital yesterday! Their lab is the quickest place to get…read morebloodwork. Checkin is easy. The waiting area is large and comfortable. the last time I went, we drove up to a platoon of First Atlantic Restoration vans. We learned that there had been a bad water leak. All outpatients were being sent to the nearby Brock Cancer Center. Lab & Check in personnel from Leigh had also been moved over to the detour location. When we drove up yesterday the front doors were blocked. There was a large sign pointed south that read entrance. We drove around the building and found no entrance. On the way back a person was walking down the sidewalk. She pointed us to the one door that could be entered. It was obstructed from easy view by the large entrance detour sign. Walking in I found so much completely different. One was first sent through security, which had never been in the lobby of Leigh. My purse was searched before I went through a scanner. The front area, which was previously a nice large entrance and desk, was now covered in plywood. The employees have always been nice and friendly. I was called back into the lab just as I finished registration. My regular bloodwork was done quickly and I prepared to leave. Sitting down in the main lobby I texted my ride that I was done. Of course I took a few pictures. When I picked up my purse I glanced at my arm. Blood was pouring out from the bandaid that covered what is normally just a needle prick. It was all over my arm, hand and shirt. Stunned, I finally moved when the really nice Security guy told me I'd better go back to the lab, Returning to the checkin area I asked if they could buzz me back in. They also stood there stunned before one asked if I had just had lab work done. When I affirmed they finally took action. The same person who drew my blood cleaned me up & used a big wrap around bandage on my arm. She said she had thought it would be fine. I really expected more of an apology. Thinking back I did remember that she had the drawer open a little longer than usual deciding what to use. Did she use the wrong size needle? Now I'm a little worried about the level of staff experience, which I've always counted on before. Even though the bandage was tight I was afraid to take it off until last night. I'm a regular at bloodwork and IV's. I have absolutely no problem with needles or having blood drawn. But today the inside of my arm looks like someone slit it with a knife. There's at least a one inch line where there should be an almost imperceptible prick or some bruising. I'm really debating as to whether I should change my preference for lab work.

This revue is strictly for their outpatient lab. This is clearly the best place for lab work and…read moretesting. The staff is quick, caring and efficient from check in to technicians. The facility is always clean and nicely decorated. I highly recommend them.

I'm just so thankful that we have an organization like this in the 757…read more A few years ago I attended their Board Member Bootcamp that was designed to get more Young Professional involvement on nonprofit boards. In those two hours I learned so much about the nonprofit world and the different organizations in our region. I love that you can hop on their website to easily connect with different organizations needing some support. Right now in COVID times it's a lot of meal packing and tutoring. They even have virtual opportunities for anyone wanting to volunteer without the exposure risks. They also have "skilled" volunteer opportunities for people who are looking to provide their professional services or areas of expertise to nonprofits in our communities. Throughout the year they offer different trainings and classes like the Board Bootcamp I attended. It's a great central location for anyone looking to give back and serve the community!

Great service to help me find where I could do my community service locally. I think it's a great…read moreplace to find volunteers needed.

My latest visit to Brock Cancer Center was for routines bloodwork. Normally I have Bloodwork done…read moreat Sentara Leigh. When we parked at Leigh it was obvious that something was wrong. There were a large number of First Atlantic Restoration vans parked in close proximity to the entrance. Allowed to go through security screening I was surprised to be turned away and sent to Brock Cancer Center, Turning into Brock Center from Kempsville Road I discovered a convenient side entrance with much closer parking than entering through the beautiful front lobby. The side entrance opened to the hall that has the entrance to Outpatient Check in, which included Bloodwork, Imaging & the Breast Center. There I learned that the problems at Leigh were caused by water pipe breaks. Many of the Leigh employees had been sent to Brock to handle the patients being sent there. I've been a fan of the Brock Imaging Center for some time. Since fewer people realize there's an Imaging Center there, appointments are more readily available. I've had MRI's, Catscans and Bone Density Scans done at Brock. The equipment is state of the art and the employees are friendly. I'll continue to have my Imaging done at Brock with an added benefit of having discovered the more convenient Kempsville side entrance.

A beautiful facility for cancer treatment. Parking is ample and it has a small area up front for…read morecurb side drop off with numerous wheelchairs directly inside for those who need assistance. As you enter the building you will be greeted with a gentle and friendly smile by someone at the front desk. The Brock Center also has a cafe in the first floor with smoothies, sandwiches, etc.

Since there are so few programs like this in Virginia Beach I would call it a unique outreach for…read morethe Virgina Beach Oceanfront. My experience with Judeo has been through meals being served in their on site dining hall. Today I was with Girl Scout Troop 13 which my daughter is a member. They prepared and served chili, cornbread, salad and a dessert to around 50 men, women and even a few children. The residents and walk-ins showed their appreciation. The organization started in 1986 due to a growing need to serve meals to the homeless. Christian groups pulled together a daily meal that soon expanded. In 1990 with private funds a property was purchased to operate a food kitchen dining hall named after Frank Bragg an early supporter of the mission. Later resident quarters were added. They now have partners like the Girl Scouts and religious organizations that total over a hundred. The partners assist with serving 86,000 FREE meals 365 days a year. The JCOC also operates a food pantry and food box program for at risk homeless to receive free groceries. There are 50 residents that reside short term on the campus. There other facility on West Lane offers a transitional housing program for 16 veterans and 8 chronically homeless with a disability. The JCOC offers a second chance to people in crisis. They provide individual and group counseling, employment services, financial assistance and housing assistance and educational resources. The mission "to empower homeless families and individuals to recover from crisis situations and and return to being self supportive, productive and independent members of our community". A few negatives to keep it real. The campus could use a sprucing up and parking is almost non-existent. Non residents also are seen across the street camping out in a vacant lot. The city does not run them off and as far as I know they are not causing any problems, but it is an eye sore. If you are able to help in any capacity through your church, or directly reaching out you are helping the local Virgina Beach community. They accept cash donations through their website as well at jcoc@jcoc.org

We have used JCOC on two separate ocassions to donate items collected through our community…read moremembers. They accept non-perishable food items and other kitchen supplies for their food pantry, kitchen and dining hall. They also accept gently used clothes, shoes and other household donations. JCOC serves breakfast and dinner everyday to the needy and homeless people of the community. Sometimes, these breakfasts and dinners are prepared by different volunteers and organizations. They also have a building at the premise where they house limited number of needy people. Overall, I think JCOC is doing a good job of providing food and other services to the needy people of our community.