It's Volunteer Appreciation Week!

One hundred fifty-four local volunteers were recognized at the 2013 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards on April 18. Established in 1993, the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards serve as a community-wide celebration of volunteerism. The awards honor individuals, groups and organizations who have given outstanding volunteer service through a broad range of activities and programs. This year’s nominees volunteered over 130,592 hours of service to the Northern Virginia community, the equivalent of a more than $2.8 million donation to area nonprofit organizations.

The theme for the morning was “Volunteers, Take a Bow.” Nominees were evaluated in three categories: impact on the organization, program to which the volunteer service was given, and overall contribution to the Fairfax County community-at-large.  Out of the 154 volunteers who were recognized, 15 received an award in a competitive category.

Volunteers were delighted and honored to receive their awards; especially Irma Clifton, winner of the Lifetime Achievement award. After hearing her name, Irma leaped for joy and eagerly ran to the stage. Her face was beaming and so were the faces of all those honored that morning. It was a morning filled with volunteering excellence.

Whether they are helping neighbors in need or building communities, volunteers are always finding new ways to improve their community through service. The  individuals and groups honored this year have helped their community and enriched the lives of those around them through acts of kindness such as collecting donations, tutoring  and mentoring youth, organizing ESL programs to assist individuals in obtaining citizenship,  creating a living space that a family can call home, and assembling food packages for those suffering from hunger.

This year’s awards shined a spotlight on the amazing people who often go unnoticed in our community and brought their service to the center stage. Whether or not a volunteer walked away with an award or not, they all deserved to “Take a Bow.”

Photos from the event can be found here.