Nominate Mom of the Year for 2019!

 It is my honor and privilege to introduce Melanie McCleerey, a Westridge/Woodbridge, Virginia resident as “Mom of the Year.” 

•  Melanie is widely respected by fellow mothers, neighbors, peers and clients. She is known for taking life by the horns and the creation of fun and excitement at every single moment of the day as both a businesswoman, mother and friend to all.   
• Melanie runs her own children’s music and motion company “Mel’s Music and Motion” in Westridge/Woodbridge, Virginia and is the envy of many children and parents alike because she creates a fun and dynamic atmosphere where young children are influenced by music, motion and creative movement.  Seeing Melanie in action is invigorating and you often feel like you are watching a bright shining star. She has never ending enthusiasm and creativity which makes people want to be around her.  
• In addition to her booming Northern Virginia small business, Melanie and her husband Tim are raising four beautiful children. They range from ages 4-8.  In her free time, Melanie is also the Westridge Elementary School Organizer for Girl Scout Service Unit 80-9, the Girl Scout Leader for Brownie Troop 606 and the leader for Daisy Troop 18022.  Somehow, she also finds time for various volunteer activities including the Hilda Barg Homeless Shelter - making, bringing and serving food to residents. She has encouraged area youth to create and assemble homeless bags to be handed out to those on street that are less fortunate.   
• Earlier this year, Melanie was instrumental in food, monetary and general supply collection for Puerto Rican hurricane relief.  
•  Each year she has participated in the Angel Tree initiative as well as the adoption of a local family in need.   As a leader for Girl Scouts, she often thinks outside of the box and encourages her young Scouts to make annual Animal Shelter donations and by serving together, 3/4 of their collected cookie money goes to service projects including ACTS food purchased for the ACTS pantry.  
• As a natural performer and singer she gathers her Scouts and family members to go Christmas caroling in community and at Sunrise Senior Home in Northern Virginia. Melanie has also volunteered for Feed The Starving Children and Operation Christmas Child.  
• She is an active member of First Baptist Church of Woodbridge where she and her husband Tim have collaborated and participated on the creative team for Vacation Bible School for the past 6 years. There she also sings on the praise team and has run Children’s Church for the past 3 years.  
• She has also been a past coordinator of the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) program at First Baptist Church where she has encouraged other mothers by sharing her time, her huge heart and her wisdom.  Lastly, Melanie is starting up the Westridge Social Committee in her neighborhood. This passion project will work to connect neighbors and grow her community.  Again, it my honor to nominate Mrs. Melanie McCleerey for such an honor!  .