Vienna Resident Receives Corporate Social Responsibility Award

VIENNA, VA — If you're on Facebook, chances are you've stayed up to date with the local dining scene thanks to the Vienna VA Foodies group. During the pandemic, the group has not only boosted local restaurants but also rallied support for local fundraisers.

That's why the group's co-founder Lydia Russo was honored with the Vienna Business Association's first-ever Corporate Social Responsibility Award on Monday. Russo, who owns Lydia Real Estate, shifted her focus from her business to the Facebook group during the pandemic.

Here's what the Vienna Business Association stated about Russo's work:

Founder of the Vienna VA Foodies Facebook group, Russo’s extraordinary efforts to raise money, social awareness, and community action for food insecure families, front-liners, first responders, and Vienna restaurants has created a dynamic and generous community movement in Vienna. While quarantined at home and unable to focus on her real estate business, Russo has used her time and platform with Vienna VA Foodies to coordinate tens of thousands of hot meals, grocery deliveries, grocery cards, and cash donations to people and organizations in need in the Greater Vienna area.

Russo extended the fundraising efforts beyond Vienna. In June, she identified a need in the DC's Anacostia neighborhood, sent a callout to the Facebook group and raised $20,000 for the nonprofit Martha’s Table.

As part of the award, the Vienna Business Association is giving Lydia Real Estate LLC an honorary one-year sponsor level membership.

Check out the Vienna VA Foodies Facebook group here.