One of the many volunteer projects taking place Oct. 23 as part of the 2010 Providence District VolunteerFest, is the used book sale at the Oakton Library.

While the Friends of Oakton Library hold two major sales every year, this sale is smaller and more specific, with the book topics being limited to art and horses.

"We limited the sale to just two topics—art and horses—because we have a supply of each, and because we just had our big book sale in September," said Linda Byrne who is organizing the sale along with Judy Beattie.

Fairfax4Horses, a local nonprofit working to provide affordable public equestrian facilities to Fairfax County residents, is donating books about, you guessed it, horses.

"[T]he Friends of Oakton Library have had a number of lovely used art books donated," Byrne said.

The proceeds from the book sale will benefit numerous programs at Oakton Library, such as puppet shows for children, Byrne said. The book sale will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oakton Library.

Providence District's VolunteerFest is a part of Volunteer Fairfax's 16th annual countywide VolunteerFest, which is Fairfax County's response to National Make a Difference Day. The concept behind National Make a Difference Day is to inspire and rally volunteers in communities across the country, and Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth has picked up the gauntlet by hosting numerous events.

"Supervisor Smyth always hosts a number of projects which emphasize volunteerism in our community," Byrne said.

This week, her office is hosting a food drive. Nonperishable food donations may be dropped off day or evening through Oct. 22 at her Smyth's office, 8739 Lee Highway, Fairfax.

Other VolunteerFest activities in and near Oakton include:

• Spirit Open Equestrian Program Riding Demonstration in Oakton Community Park—10:30 a.m. to noon, weather permitting. Provided by Fairfax4Horses.
• Easy Readers at Oakton Library—10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. A program for first- and second-grade boys who need reading reinforcement. Prior registration is required to participate. For information, contact Michael Luciani at easyreaders@gmail.com.
• Neighborhood Park Projects—Fairfax County Park Authority hosts projects at Providence District Parks including Borge Street and Nottoway Park. Details are available by calling Katherine Frederick 703-324-8681, TTY 711.

For a complete listing of VolunteerFest projects, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/providence/events.htm or call 703-560-6946. For more information on how you can volunteer for any of Fairfax
County's events, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.