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Honoring The Best of Reston

Businesses, citizens who embody the spirit of giving back earn honors at annual gala.

 

Wiping tears from her eyes, longtime Reston volunteer Janet Bolton accepted a 2012 Best of Reston Award at the Hyatt Regency Reston on Thursday.

Bolton and her husband Vade - who died suddenly in December - were honored as Individual Community Members for their more than 25 years of work with Reston Interfaith, the county hypothermia shelter, The Closet in Herndon, and many other groups that help the less fortunate.

"We probably get more back than those we help," Vade Bolton said in a taped interview.

Said Janet Bolton: "When I moved to Reston in 1978, how could I know what Reston would mean to us? Thirty-four years later, Reston has a homeless shelter, coprorate partnerships and all of you.

"After Vade retired in 2000, Embry Rucker [Community Shelter] became his second home," she said. "We all wish he could be here tonight to recognize all of you as dedicated volunteers and supporters."

More than 600 people attended the 21st annual Best of Reston, which raised $405,000 for Reston Interfaith. The annual event, co-sponored by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, honors individuals and businesses for their service to the community.

Other winners:

Boofie and Joe O'Gorman (Individual Community Members) - The O'Gormans have been active community volunteers in such organizations as Reston Swim Team Association, the Reston Triathlon, the Reston Kids Triathlon and the Reston Sprint Triathlon. The latter has helped raise more than $100,000 for Reston Interfaith.

Boofie O'Gorman, a Realtor with Long & Foster, also serves as the chair of the board of managers for theYMCA Fairfax County-Reston and chair of the Capitol Steps Benefit to support Reston Interfaith.

Graceful Spaces (Community/Civic Organization) - Jean Boston, Karen Hale and Anne Strange use their interior design savvy to provide furnishings and organizational skills to families in transitional housing. Since 2008, the group has served 66 families and has dedicated more than 2,800 hours of community service.

Reston Little League (Community/Civic Organization) - The league teaches love of baseball, respect for community and the lessons of sportsmanship to 700 girls and boys each year.

In 2011, Reston National, a team of 12- and 13-year-old All Stars, won the Virginia state championship.

RLL has been active in the community for 40 years, depending on 450 parents to volunteer for various jobs and fundraising.

Wee Play (Small Business) - This Herndon play space for children, founded by Kathy Brennan, proves that "having fun does not require money. It simply requires time," said the Best of Reston selection committee.

Wee Play opens its studio weekly to children from Laurel Learning Center and Embry Rucker.

Dominion Virginia Power (Corporate Business) - Dominion Virginia Power has given back by supporting Girls Excelling at Math and Science (GEMS) at Dogwood Elementary School as well as FREE: Future Renewable Energy Effort at Rachel Carson Middle School.

In 2011, the Dominion Trail Mix helped celebrate and clean up the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, and 40 Dominion employees volunteered to winterize seven townhomes owned by the Reston Interfaith Housing Corporation.

Related Topics: 2012 Best of Reston, Connecting To Reston's History, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, and Reston interfaith

El

5:44 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012

Would be nice to see the photos of the recipients.

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Karen Goff

5:47 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012

I agree. Camera issues plus dim ballroom means this is what we have. To see photos of winners, you can click here: http://reston.patch.com/articles/last-chance-best-of-reston

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Karen Goff

10:56 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012

Got some great new photos. Check them out with the story.

Will Marlow

10:38 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012

We'll get the rest of the Best of Reston photos up soon!

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El

11:29 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012

Thanks. Three of the recipients are good friends of mine, and it was so nice to see their photos.

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