Kathleen Murphy

Kathleen Murphy serves as president of the Great Falls Historical Society. Her knowledge and enthusiasm are evident. Kathleen keeps the long and interesting history of Great Falls alive for residents of all ages through monthly programs on local history and people, preservation efforts, publication of historical essays, collection of artifacts and photographs, oral history interviews, genealogical research, and tours and dinners at historic sites. However, Ms. Murphy is also very much interested in the Great Falls of the present and the future. In the Great Falls 2020 Vision Survey, led by Ms. Murphy, local residents expressed a desire for a local farmers market as part of building a vibrant semi-rural village center. As one of the few markets in Fairfax County that is not county-sponsored, this markets provides a place for local vendors to market their products year-round.  It attracts residents in and outside of Great Falls who want to purchase fresh produce, baked goodies, cheeses, and even chocolates in a friendly and fun environment; outside in the summer months and inside the historic Grange building during the winter.

“When I think of volunteers who go about their work quietly in Great Falls, I think of Ms. Murphy. She is that exceptional volunteer who cares deeply about the past, present and future of Dranesville,” said John Foust, supervisor for Dranesville District.

George and Estella Lynch

George and Estella Lynch became volunteers with the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board in 2003 at the CSB’s Crossroads residential treatment program. Crossroads is an enhanced residential treatment program that provides services to adults with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. George and Estella’s efforts have contributed to individuals achieving successful recovery.

George helps residents and staff by driving residents to necessary errands and appointments. Getting to appointments without a personal vehicle can be very challenging, and missing appointments can delay services and assistance. George is not only a driver, but lends a caring ear and offers a word of support and/or reality that helps people move forward in resolving some of their issues. He is highly respected by the residents and staff at Crossroads. 

Estella, as a gardening volunteer, ensures that the greenhouse is maintained and teaches residents about gardening. Gardening can be stress relieving, and as residents gain confidence by learning new skills, they can feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as they grow plants from seeds.  Estella’s kindness, patience, caring, and nonjudgmental persona provides a safe environment for Crossroads residents to take a needed break from the challenges of their lives.

“[George and Estella’s] work over the past thirteen years at Crossroads has truly made a huge impact on the lives of those that they encountered,” said Pat Herrity, supervisor for Springfield District. “Whether it was driving, gardening, or just being there to listen and talk with the residents, their work did not go unnoticed.”
 

Ron Fitzsimmons

Ron Fitzsimmons grew up knowing the challenges many of our neediest families have in the Mount Vernon District because as a child he lived it himself. Four years ago he founded Alice’s Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing children facing hardship with a bit of financial assistance. Children raised in poverty often try to hide this from their peers. If there is a lack of food and utilities at home, it is hard to pay for a new pair of shoes, a school field trip or a musical instrument. Alice’s Kids takes referrals from school staff, charitable organizations, government social workers and churches.  Through a totally anonymous process, Alice’s Kids, has provided many youngsters help paying for these relatively inexpensive items while preserving the dignity of the child. The credo of Alice’s Kids is, “We believe that a little help can go a long way.” 

“I feel that Ron’s story of helping the district’s children is best told through the children,” said Daniel G. Storck, supervisor of Mount Vernon District. “One letter of thanks reads,  ‘Without…Alice’s Kids, I would not have had the school supplies and many items– including a class ring–due to our lack of income. I have been able to successfully graduate high school and am looking forward to entering college to seek a degree that will hopefully lead to future success.’”

Diane Kilbourne

As president of the Stuart Educational Foundation for the past five years, Diane Kilbourne has provided inspiration and guidance to the Foundation, its board members, and the diverse students at Jeb Stuart High School who are dedicated to furthering their education and achieving success for their future.  During the ten years since the foundation was started, nearly $900,000 has been raised in the community, supporting more than 390 Stuart graduates.  Diane is now retired, but has a rich history as a volunteer and advocate for children as a board member for the Seven Corner’s Children’s Center. She is a past president of the Lake Barcroft Woman’s Club — helping to raise money for local charities, and deliver food for the ACCA Food Pantry.

“Diane’s dedication to helping students–many of whom are ESL students–achieve their dream of post-secondary education is inspiring to community members who are donors, students who are recipients, and volunteers who ensure that young people can succeed,” said Penny Gross, supervisor for Mason District. “Diane works quietly behind the scenes, but her contributions truly make a difference in many lives.”  

Gary Flather

Gary Flather began volunteering with Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) in 1989 as a coach. He subsequently served as a Commissioner for Little League, Babe Ruth and basketball. In 1995 he joined the SYA Board and in 2000 became Treasurer. Since 2002 he’s been president of the organization, and has been instrumental in the establishment and construction of SYA’s 120 acre Sports Park which will eventually contain eleven ball fields and trails. Currently, SYA serves 13,000 children between the ages of four and nineteen by providing opportunities in thirteen different sports. 

“Gary has devoted countless hours to the betterment of the youth of the Centreville community through his involvement with SYA,” said Kathy L. Smith, Sully District Supervisor. “…. It is through Gary’s efforts that there are opportunities for the young people in Sully District to be active and engaged, and to become better young men and women,”

Marco Johnson

Marco Johnson has been a playing a critical role in over 31 community health outreach activities as a member of the Alexandria Medical Reserve Corps since 2008. He has volunteered for many years to promote the public health and safety of the community by delivering services and educating volunteers and the public in emergency preparedness.

Marco volunteers with many entities including, the Virginia State Volunteer Corps, Community Emergency Response Team, American Red Cross, and the Alexandria Neighborhood Watch Program. Marco also teaches children at elementary schools, YMCAs, Brownie meetings, and summer camps a three step preparedness program: Learn, Practice, Share, along with local hazards and coping skills. He serves as a community preparedness education program presenter for the Red Cross to senior centers, civic groups, homeowner associations, places of worship, non-profits, businesses, and local, state, and federal agencies. And, he also serves at special activities during national preparedness month and is a speaker for ”PreparAthon” events promoting the understanding of which disasters could happen, knowing what to do to be safe and mitigate damage, and taking action to increase preparedness.

Juan Hernandez

Juan Hernandez’s star shines brightly throughout his volunteerism with Cornerstones.Cornerstones is a nonprofit organization that promotes self-sufficiency by providing support and advocacy for those in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, quality childcare, and other human services. Juan’s friendly manner quickly makes clients feel more comfortable, especially since he can answer questions in their primary language. 

During the annual holiday registration he assists in directing clients, and completing registration forms. He volunteers in the food pantry weekly, accepting and sorting donations, checks expiration dates, and stocking shelves. During the Lake Anne’s Farmer’s Market from May through November he volunteers, answering questions about using Food Stamps with vendors and processing payments. From November through Mid-March, Juan volunteers several times a month distributing coats at the Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet.

Year round Juan can be found at the Herndon Neighborhood resource Center where free haircuts are available. He sets up chairs, clears areas for the stylists and later returns to clean up and restore order. Since he is a regular volunteer and familiar with all of Cornerstone’s programs and program sites, he often assists in moving donations and supplies between programs, especially taking food or snacks to ESL classes from the Food Pantry in Reston. Juan enjoys using his bilingual and other skills to help those in need in the community. “Juan’s unselfish and noble actions make a huge difference in the community; especially for those who would otherwise have difficulty accessing services because of a language barrier,” said Minnie Orozco, Program Manager for Cornerstones’ Urgent Needs and Life Skills program.
 

Eunice Kwarteng

Eunice Kwarteng has been a consistent volunteer with Community Preservation and Development Corporation (CPDC) since 2012. Established in 1989, (CPDC) is a nonprofit real estate developer focused on the acquisition, redevelopment, and operation of affordable housing in order to provide high-quality, tailored, site-based resident solutions that help residents and communities grow and thrive.

Eunice is an active and successful senior at Mount Vernon High School who has had a significant impact on her community, especially on the youth population. In 2014 and 2015, Eunice served as a CPDC volunteer summer intern where she created an original educational summer camp for ages four through twelve. The two week camp was differentiated by age, with each day having a specific academic goal. In 2015, over 40 youth attended the camp, ten more than the previous year. Eunice works as a tutor and mentor, directly affecting over 100 young people in the community. She has also assisted in creating and running adult programs, from a Community Day for over 200 residents to food giveaway programs. Her efforts in creating a haunted house led to a $125 donation to Rebuilding Together Alexandria.

“Our volunteer program has become an incredible testament to the power of youth in service, and I give all the credit to Eunice,” said Ryan Barton, Community Impact Specialist. “Without her, our community would not be anywhere near where it is today. She continues to inspire younger youth to give of themselves, and she herself has become an overwhelming proof as to the power of service.”

Fred Pitman

Most Fairfax County Public Library volunteers work in only one volunteer position, but not Fred Pitman. Fred is extraordinary because he has taken on so many roles both at the Oakton Library and with the Marketing Department. “Fred exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism,” said Erin Chernisky, Volunteer Program Manager at the Fairfax County Public Library. “His dedication and commitment to the [library] is truly remarkable, and we are grateful for his service.”

Over time, Fred has increased his commitment to the Oakton Library — as leader for an English conversation group, an Adopt-a-Shelf volunteer, an assistant with programs, and as treasurer of the Friends of the Oakton Library. As an English conversation group leader, Fred’s calm and easygoing manner provides the perfect setting for people working to learn the nuances of the English language. As an Adopt-A-Shelf volunteer, Fred works in the non-fiction section of the library. He looks through all the books, checking items for condition, removing bookmarks, fixing dog-eared pages, and making sure the books are in order. Serving as treasurer for the Friends of the Oakton Library is a huge responsibility. He keeps track of member dues as well as the funds earned during the Friends’ ongoing book sales. He also completes the required financial paperwork for the Friends, which is a separate not-for-profit organization.

Yet even with all this on his plate, Fred recently added the Marketing Department to his volunteerism — taking pictures of all twenty-three branches of the library spread throughout the county, including photos of individual events and people. He made an early morning trip to City of Fairfax Regional Library to get a photo of the beautiful building without the usual crush of traffic. He then returned for another photo from a different angle, including the festive holidays lights in the park opposite the library. Fred also uploaded his photos, including information for location, event, etc. for use by the Marketing Department.