Thoughts From RCA's Citizen of the Year Ceremony

On Monday this week, I had the honor of emceeing my favorite RCA event: the Citizen of the Year ceremony.  It's always a treat to have the chance to honor a longtime volunteer who has done a lot of good in the Reston community.  And when it comes to volunteering in the community, few Restonians have done even half as much as our 2011 Citizen of the Year, Nick Brown.  As John Lovaas, a former RCA Board member who helped me revive the Citizen of the Year Award in 2008, put it: "I knew you'd find somebody good to give the award to, but I didn't know you'd find someone this impressive."

We had a turnout of about 50 people for the ceremony at RCC Hunters Woods.  Most of them were folks who have volunteered alongside Nick in some of his many activities, or people who had benefited from his help in some way.  When you're a volunteer, sometimes it's hard to remember how many lives you have touched along the way.  An event like this, which brings together people from many different spheres in Reston, shows just how much good Nick has done for so many people.

I had a chance to meet Nick and his wife Peg before the ceremony.  One of the reasons I love this event so much is that the people we honor have been giving selflessly to Reston for decades, but this is often the first time they've received a community-wide honor for their efforts.  Nick and Peg were clearly delighted by the award, and I felt great to know that a dedicated citizen like Nick will have his name up on our award plaque for future generations to see.

Nick had a surprise for me before the ceremony started.  He presented me with a book... one that he had authored!  It's amazing to me that a man who has spent so much time with a prestigious job, a family to raise, and his numerous volunteer efforts found the time to be a published author as well.  The book is titled Windows to Heaven, and I very much look forward to reading it.

I began the ceremony by citing Nick's record of service to the community, and mentioning that many Restonians have benefited from Nick's work without even knowing it.  And indeed, I was one of those Restonians.  When my mom found out that Nick had been selected as Citizen of the Year, she asked me, "Is that the same Nick Brown who was the Cub Master when you were in the Scouts?"  I checked it out, and it was the same guy.  I didn't even know it!

I also mentioned that those of us who have lived in Reston a long time know that it's not just another suburb.  We are a unique and special community, because we have citizens who don't think that Reston is just a place to sleep at night, or a place to get a paycheck, or a place to shop.  We are proud of our community, and this pride encourages us to step up and contribute.  The social fabric of Reston is woven be super citizens like Nick Brown.

Mandy Guernsey, volunteer manager of Reston Interfaith, stepped up next, and told the audience about many of Nick's volunteer deeds: how he has rebuilt and donated computers to those in need, how he drives around Reston performing maintenance and repair services for the lower-income elderly residents of Reston, how he has given of his time and expertise by serving as a judge for local and regional science fairs.  She mentioned that Nick received the first-ever Ph.D. in environmental science, another fact that I didn't know.  Her speech made it clear how much Reston Interfaith appreciated Nick's service, and that many other organization in Reston and beyond are similarly grateful to him.

And then Nick stepped up to receive his award.  The highlight of these events is always the speech from the award winner.  These longtime volunteers have often gained wisdom and wonderful stories along the way, and their speeches are quite moving and wonderful to listen to.  Nick's speech was no exception.

He began by mentioning that he is a Gemini, and much like the astrological symbol of the twins, he thinks of himself as two people: Dr. Richard Brown, the well-known and prestigious scientist who has received many accolades from the White House and other institutions; and Nick, the low-key and happy-go-lucky volunteer who did his work in an unassuming way, out of the spotlight.  "So much for being unassuming," he joked.

The focus of his speech was on a subject that he feels should get more attention: the plight of the lower-income elderly in our community.  He wasn't referring to the homeless or the deeply destitute, who receive attention and care from Reston Interfaith and other groups.  Rather, he was talking about the folks who own their homes, but are struggling to deal with bills and fees and day-to-day expenses.  Many of them feel isolated, with their children living hundreds of miles away and with their friends gone or struggling to get around. 

Nick said that one of his most cherished moments is coming into the home of these folks, taking their hands and reassuring them, "It's all right.  It's okay.  You are not alone."  He mentioned the difficulty of hearing the challenges they face, and trying to do what he can to help.  He called on the community to do a better job identifiying and assisting these citizens, who may not be as obviously in need of help as some, but could use a hand all the same.

He told the audience to look for his truck out and about in Reston (it's a blue truck with ladder racks and American flags all over it), and thanked his wife for her support.  He concluded by telling us what his wife had told him to say whenever someone thanked him: "You're welcome.  I'm glad I could be of help."  Nick's eyes were moist as he finished his speech, and I know a lot of folks in the audience had that same reaction.

I'd like to congratulate Nick again for his award.  Thanks to Mandy for the well-written and heartfelt nomination.  Thanks to Leila Gordon and RCC for hosting the event and allowing us a place to keep our award plaque.  Thanks to everyone who came to help Nick celebrate his honor.

And to all the other volunteers in the community: Keep up the good work!  You could be on your way to becoming the 2012 Citizen of the Year.  RCA is out there working for the community, and it's a pleasure and an honor to recognize other Restonians who are doing the same.