LOCAL CEO TO RECEIVE FOUNDATION’S LEADERSHIP AWARD: Kristina Bouweiri, president/CEO of Reston Limousine, will receive the 2024 Community Leadership Award from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia.
The honor will be bestowed at the Raise the Region Gala, to be held on Friday, Oct. 18 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.
In addition to her success as an entrepreneur and business leader, Bouweiri “is committed to numerous philanthropic causes in the region,” foundation officials said in announcing the award.
The Raise the Region Gala typically brings together about 700 business, political, community and philanthropic leaders. For event information, see the Website at www.cfnova.org.
‘CASA’ INITIATIVE MARKS 35 YEARS OF SERVING FAIRFAX YOUTH: Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is celebrating its 35th year of providing advocacy and support to Fairfax County’s abused and neglected children embroiled in the child-welfare system.
The nonprofit provides a crucial service to children and families by vetting, training and supervising volunteers from the community, appointed by the Fairfax County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court. With the help of nearly 1,900 volunteers from the local community, the organization has served almost 9,000 children since its inception.
Fairfax CASA was established with the help of Judge Jane Delbridge after learning about CASA programs being utilized in other jurisdictions across the country. Recognizing the critical need for a neutral and dedicated advocate for children in her courtroom and community, she worked with Carole Coile, a Fairfax attorney, and fellow court professionals such as the former Fairfax director of court services Vince Pichcano to bring the program to fruition.
On Jan. 17, 1989, Fairfax CASA assigned its first child abuse case to a special advocate. The case involved a sibling group of two children.
By the end of that first year, the program was serving 80 children. Today, Fairfax CASA serves an average of 350 children annually. In 2012, the program served 520 children, the most it has served since inception.
Just over half of the children enrolled in the program have experienced domestic violence in their homes. Sixty percent had a parent struggling with substance abuse, and 45 percent had a parent struggling with a mental-health issue.
Last fiscal year, 167 volunteers were assigned to a case, and more are needed. For information on volunteering or contributing in other ways, see the Website at fairfaxcasa.org.
PARK AUTHORITY PREPPING FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY: The Fairfax County Park Authority is gearing up for local programming in connection with National Public Lands Day on Sept. 28.
“We encourage community members to be involved by taking part in any of a wide selection of service activities to protect the natural, cultural and recreational resources of our treasured park system,” Park Authority officials said.
For a full list of local programming, see the Website at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/topics/national-public-lands-day.
DULLES DAY FESTIVAL, PLANE PULL ON HORIZON: The annual Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull will return on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Washington Dulles International Airport, raising funds for Special Olympics Virginia.
More than 12,000 people are expected to attend thefree open house on a 17-acre portion of the airfield. There will be aircraft displays, classic cars, tours of mobile lounges, rides on airport fire trucks and the Dulles Plane Pull, sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department since 1992.
At that event, teams of 25 individuals will compete to pull an 82-ton plane 12 feet in the fastest time. FedEx will provide a cargo aircraft, and United Airlines will bring in a passenger jet.
In its 31-year history, the Plane Pull has raised nearly $5.5 million for Special Olympics Virginia and its support of more than 21,000 athletes.
For full details, see the Website at https://www.flydulles.com/event/dulles-day-2024.
Both those attending the festival and those flying into and out of the airport on Sept. 14 are encouraged to take Metro to voice traffic congestion.
NATIVE-AMERICAN FESTIVAL RETURNS TO RIVERBEND PARK: The Virginia Native American Festival returns to Riverbend Park in Great Falls on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Honoring the native tribes of Virginia, the event will feature performances by the Rappahannock Native American dancers and drum group, Virginia tribal vendors offering traditional crafts and information about present-day events and cultural heritage.
There will also be hands-on demonstrations, including bow-and-arrow use, and culinary treats available with on-site concessions.
Tickets are for $12 per person in advance.
Riverbend Park is located 8700 Potomac Hills St. For information, see the Website at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend.
WINNERS OF GOLF-THEMED PHOTO CONTEST ANNOUNCED: Golf Fairfax, the golfing-operations arm of the Fairfax County Park Authority, has announced winners of its 2024 “I Love Golf Fairfax” photo contest.
“The contest received more than 60 submissions showcasing stunning landscapes, action shots and candid moments of the Golf Fairfax community,” Park Authority officials said.
Two winners were randomly selected and will receive a pair of tickets to the 2024 Solheim Cup in Gainesville. It is one of the most prestigious Ladies Professional Golf Association’s events of the year.
James Wells, who took shots at Burke Lake Golf Center, was the recipient in the adult category, and Kevin Metrocavage, also of Burke Lake Golf Center, was in the youth category.
“Fairfax Golf has allowed so many people to get into golf at an affordable rate,” Wells said. “It wasn’t until I started traveling and paying more that I realized how rare it is to have this much access to affordable courses.”
To view the photo entries, see the Website at https://tinyurl.com/4mt4zytx.
GREAT FALLS PLAYS HOST TO 9/11 REMEBRANCE CEREMONY: The annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.
The event, open to the community, honors the six residents of Great Falls and all others who lost their lives and suffered in the attacks and the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001.
The keynote speaker will be retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Lou Crenshaw, and singer Erin Gantt will feature patriotic songs.
The Freedom Memorial is located behind the Great Falls Library at 9830 Georgetown Pike. Parking is available in the library parking lot.
Limited seating and shelter will be provided. Attendees are encouraged but not required to bring portable chairs.
In case of rain, the ceremony will move to the Grange. Updates to the schedule will be posted at www.gffreedom.org.
VIETNAM VETS TO HEAR ABOUT AUTHOR’S MEMOIR: Vietnam Veterans of America Dean K. Phillips Memorial Chapter 227 will hear from retired U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Dan Moore discussing his Vietnam-tour memoir “Whatever Cause We Have” on Thursday, Sept. 19 at American Legion Post 177, 3939 Oak St. in Fairfax.
Events include a cash bar at 5:30 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner ($25, cash only) at 6:15 p.m., with the meeting starting at 7 p.m.
Those interested in attending should R.S.V.P. to Melissa Kalner by e-mail at [email protected] by Sept. 17.
