'Best of Reston' Creates New Award

The Best of Reston, the annual community service awards given to businesses and individuals who have made an impact in Reston, has added a new category honoring younger people committed to community service.

Ann Rodriguez and Vade Bolton shared a special passion and gift for mentoring and inspiring young people and future leaders. Rodriguez, a longtime patron of the arts, died in 2009. Bolton, a committed Reston Interfaith and Embry Rucker Community Shelter volunteer and board member who was honored posthumously with a 2012 Best of Reston award, died last December.

Rodriguez and Bolton inspired all who knew them with the joy and enthusiasm they brought to their volunteer work, and the lives of those they touched, said event co-sponsors Reston Interfaith and Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.

Nominations for the 2013 awards are now being accepted in all five award categories: Individual Community Member, Civic/Community Organization, Small Business Leader (2 - 100 employees), Corporate Business Leader (101+ employees), and the Vade Bolton-Ann Rodriguez Young Leaders – Entrusting Our Community’s Future Award.

Nominations for all categories may be submitted by individuals and organizations. The nomination forms and a list of previous award winners can be found online at www.restoninterfaith.org orwww.restonchamber.org or printed copies are available at both organizations offices. Nominations close at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 19.

The 22nd annual Best of Reston Awards Ceremony - chaired this year by Reston founder Robert E. Simon - will be held on April 11.

Proceeds from the Best of Reston directly support Reston Interfaith’s programs and services. Reston Interfaith provides attractive, affordable housing for formerly homeless working families, along with services that include subsidized childcare, job training and counseling to help families gain self-sufficiency through stable housing and increased earning potential.