Want to make a difference from your computer or phone? These are some opportunities to engage wherever you're at! 

Protect Frederick is hiring a lawyer. Here’s why, and here’s how you can help.

For the past month, Protect Frederick has been examining the county’s draft amendment removing data centers from our zoning ordinance. Most people, quite reasonably, read that amendment as a ban. We have documented why we believe the text as drafted does not accomplish one, and we have put those questions to county staff and the County Attorney in writing, and his answer was… less than compelling. We need an independent legal opinion from an attorney that the Board cannot simply dismiss, so we reached out to lawyers.

We have reached an agreement with an experienced Virginia land use litigator whose recent work includes successfully representing citizens against one of the largest data center projects ever proposed in this state. The engagement fee is $2,500. If the work takes less time than the firm anticipates, the difference is refunded and returned.

We are an all-volunteer organization. Until recently, every expense has come out of our own pockets. We cannot afford to hire them on our own, and we are asking you to chip in because this is the moment where professional help matters the most. The stakes are high!

You can contribute here: https://www.protectfrederick.org/donate

Every little bit helps! Thank you for your support!

Support free debating education for local youth

The Apple Valley Debate Club (AVDC) is the only free youth centered debate club in the Winchester-Frederick County area. The club offers the opportunity for local youth (ages 15-35) to strengthen their debating, critical thinking, and public speaking skills. Using the funds from your donation, we'd be able to afford meeting spaces, organize group trips, and purchase equipment. Debates typically surround local civic issues with members being required to take both sides of the discussion. Because of this, members gain an increasing sense of civic-mindedness and empathy for opposing viewpoints.

AVDC was founded by a recently-graduated high school student on June 3rd of 2026. Over the club's first Summer, we've gained a total of seven active members. With the 26'-27' school year beginning shortly, we'll be able to advertise more effectively, giving more young people the opportunity to be civically and rhetorically educated.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-free-debating-education-for-local-youth

Sign and Share the Green Giants Eco Action Group's Petitions: A Cleaner, Greener Community Starts with a 5¢ Bag Fee

Sign here:

- Frederick County Petition
- City of Winchester Petition

Residents of Frederick County and City of Winchester, I urge you to adopt the 5¢ Disposable Plastic Bag Tax authorized under Virginia Code §58.1‑1745. This small, proven fee is one of the most effective tools available to reduce plastic litter, protect local waterways, and support a cleaner and healthier community.

Plastic bags are consistently among the most common items found in community cleanups and stormwater systems. They break down into microplastics that harm wildlife, clog drainage infrastructure, and create long‑term environmental and financial burdens for our city.

Communities across Virginia that have implemented this fee have seen significant reductions in plastic bag waste. The fee is fully avoidable by bringing reusable bags, and the revenue collected is restricted by state law for:

- Litter prevention and cleanup
- Environmental education
- Providing reusable bags to low‑income residents

This policy is practical, cost‑effective, and aligned with Winchester's/Frederick County values of stewardship and community well‑being. I respectfully ask you to move this measure forward and help make Winchester a cleaner, more sustainable place for everyone.

Why This Campaign Matters: Plastic pollution is one of the most visible and preventable problems in our community. Disposable plastic bags clog storm drains, litter our neighborhoods, harm wildlife, and break down into microplastics that end up in our waterways and soil. Winchester spends time and resources cleaning up something that doesn’t need to be created in the first place.

A small, avoidable 5¢ fee is one of the simplest and most effective tools available to reduce plastic waste. Communities across Virginia have already seen dramatic reductions in litter after adopting this policy. The revenue stays local and can only be used for cleanup, environmental education, and providing reusable bags to residents who need them.

This campaign is about taking a practical, commonsense step that protects our environment, reduces waste, and strengthens our community’s long‑term health.

Sign and Share the Valleys Without Borders Petition - Demand the Winchester City Council END their contract with ICE

Since February 2021, the City of Winchester has maintained a 5-year contract with ICE to hold migrant children at our local Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center (NRJDC). As contract renewal approaches, it is up to us to call on our local representatives to end this contract that helps tear families and communities apart.

Please sign and share this petition! We will present it alongside our Resolution (link in the petition) to City Council. https://c.org/Nn4w2RpqVx

 

Opportunities to Support Minnesota Residents

Minnesota is under occupation by federal agents from ICE and CBP, and we need your support.

Across Minnesota, ICE continues to stop, harass, and detain people regardless of their citizenship status. Normal life in Minnesota has been interrupted, as schools have been forced to close or go virtual, as people live in fear of leaving their homes or going to work. Minnesotans are organized and activated to respond to this violence. But they need our help.

This directory of places to donate to all comes from activists on the ground, plugged into the situation. Everything is vetted, with the exception of individual GoFundMes (not everyone is in our networks, and we don’t want to pick and choose who is worthy of help.)

Overwhelmed by the amount of listings here? Donate to the Immigrant Law Center of MN, who is providing assistance to hundreds of people with families detained by ICE, or the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund, a fund assembled by a coalition of Twin Cities Foundations committed to getting assistance out the door as quickly as possible.

We are very proud of the progress we’ve made together towards a clean energy future and a just transition here in Virginia. With your support, the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) has benefited families by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering energy bills for rate payers, and creating energy jobs.

Since its passage, this piece of legislation has been the subject of constant attacks by polluting industries and big business. Members of the General Assembly have attempted to gut the VCEA and halt our just transition to a clean energy economy where people and planet are the priority. If the VCEA gets repealed or weakened, Virginians will see higher utility bills and more greenhouse gas emissions that impact our health.

In the 2026 Legislative Session, we will once again rise up to protect the VCEA from constant attacks by industries that profit from pollution and unaffordable energy bills. Sign on to our petition to the House and Senate leadership from both parties that demands they protect the VCEA and the progress we have made as a Commonwealth towards a clean energy economy that works for everyone.

Sign the Petition For An Alternate Underground HVDC Solution for The MARL/Gore-Doubs-Goose Creek (500kV) Transmission Line and the Valley Link (765kV) transmission line through Virginia!

Please join us in signing this petition.

Winchester City Survey

Winchester folks, please take a few minutes to fill out the Winchester City Survey. This important survey tells our city government what we want to see in our city!

Get Big Money Out of VA Politics

Big MoneyOutVA, an all volunteer, non-partisan group, is working to get local jurisdictions to pass resolutions in support of getting big money out of politics (since legislators in Richmond aren't interested). So we are going local and we have had discussions with Chip Newcome and others in Winchester, championed by Jackson Kidwell, a high school democracy warrior. Here's their ask:

Do you live in Winchester or Frederick or Clarke County?  Do you believe in Democracy over Dollars? Join us in calling on the elected local officials in your jurisdiction to put people before corporations and wealthy donors. Across Virginia, activists are urging local councils and boards to pass resolutions supporting stronger campaign finance laws. Right now, Virginia has some of the weakest campaign finance rules in the country—but communities are speaking up. Leesburg and Blacksburg already passed resolutions unanimously.Your community could be next—but only if you raise your voice. Click below and send an email to local officials and your elected representatives in Richmond if you live in these jurisdictions.  Frederick County,  Clarke County, City of Winchester.