GALLERY: 2013 Best of Reston Awards Gala

More than 700 people packed the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Reston on Thursday for the 22nd Annual Best of Reston Awards.

The black-tie event organized by Reston Interfaith and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce honors outstanding Reston-area citizens and businesses for the community service.

This year's event was co-chaired by 99-year-old Reston founder Robert E. Simon - who "parachuted" into the gala much like Queen Elizabeth did at the 2012 Summer Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

Simon, who will also chair next year's event, has set a goal of raising $1 million to aid Reston Interfaith as a two-year total. The 2013 gala raised more than $466,000.

A surprise winner Thursday was Bill Bouie, who was given the Robert E. Simon Community Service Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award is not given out each year and the winner, unlike the rest of the honorees, is not announced in advance.

Bouie, a tech executive, is the chairman of the board of the Fairfax County Park Authority, has served leadership roles with Reston Little League for many years and serves of the Reston Community Center Board of Governors. 

He also serves on the board of Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, Public Links, Inc.,and the Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR). 

Other 2013 Honorees:

Individual Community Members

Doug Bushee - Bushee is the founder of the CORE Foundation, which assists individual and groups to raise money for a nonprofit. The foundation has helped the Reston Sprint Triathlon raise more than $130,000 for Reston Interfaith. He is a former Reston Association board member.

Ed Robichaud - Robichaud has served the community in a variety of ways, including serving as a board member for the Reston Historic Trust and Herndon-Reston FISH, teaching computer classes at  helping the Reston Bike Club and playing violin with the Reston Community Orchestra, among other activties.

Civic/Community Organizations

Friends of the Reston Regional Library - Since 1972, this group has supported the library. The group generates nearly $100,000 annually though it books sales, and proceeds go to sustain and enhance materials.

YMCA Fairfax County-Reston - The Y is being honored for its mission to foster the spiritual, mental and physcial development of individuals, families and communities. The organization provides programs for at-risk kids in Reston and promotes wellness initiatives for families in Reston Interfaith's transitional housing program.

Small Business Leader

Mayflowers A Floral Studio - This floral design shop at Reston Town Center has given back to the community in many ways. Owner May Bernhardt's floral designs have decorated many charity benefits in Reston, and she recently organized the first-ever Reston Town Center Walk to End Homelessness.

Corporate Business Leader

John Marshall Bank - The bank is being honored for its encouragement of volunteerism and philanthropy. In 2012, bank employees engaged in more than 140,000 volunteer hours. The bank also holds an annual charity golf tournament that raised $30,000 for charity in 2102, donates $1,000 to a local charity each time a new branch opens, and is actively involved in educational initiatives.

Vade Bolton-Ann Rodriguez Young Leaders Entrusting Our Community's Future Award

Amanda Andere - This inaugural award, named for the late Reston leaders, went to Andere for serving in several roles. She is a board member of Reston Association. She is the executive director the nonprofit FACETS, which helps low-income Fairfax County residents in need, and serves as a deacon at Reston's Martin Luther King Jr. Christian Church.

 (PHOTOS BY WILL MARLOW)

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