Honoring The Best of Reston

Wiping tears from her eyes, longtime Reston volunteer Janet Bolton accepted a 2012 Best of Reston Award at the on Thursday.

Bolton and her husband Vade - who died suddenly in December - were honored as Individual Community Members for their more than 25 years of work with , the county hypothermia shelter, The Closet in Herndon, and many other groups that help the less fortunate.

"We probably get more back than those we help," Vade Bolton said in a taped interview.

Said Janet Bolton: "When I moved to Reston in 1978, how could I know what Reston would mean to us? Thirty-four years later, Reston has a homeless shelter, coprorate partnerships and all of you.

"After Vade retired in 2000, E became his second home," she said. "We all wish he could be here tonight to recognize all of you as dedicated volunteers and supporters."

More than 600 people attended the 21st annual Best of Reston, which raised $405,000 for Reston Interfaith. The annual event, co-sponored by the honors individuals and businesses for their service to the community.

Other winners:

Wee Play (Small Business) - This Herndon play space for children, founded by Kathy Brennan, proves that "having fun does not require money. It simply requires time," said the Best of Reston selection committee.

Wee Play opens its studio weekly to children from and the Embry Rucker Community Center.

Dominion Virginia Power (Corporate Business) - Dominion Virginia Power has given back by supporting Girls Excelling at Math and Science (GEMS) at  as well as FREE: Future Renewable Energy Effort at Rachel Carson Middle School.

In 2011, the Dominion Trail Mix helped celebrate and clean up the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, and 40 Dominion employees volunteered to winterize seven townhomes owned by the Reston Interfaith Housing Corporation.

Boofie and Joe O'Gorman (Individual Community Members) - The O'Gormans have been active community volunteers in such organizations as Reston Swim Team Association, the Reston Triathlon, the Reston Kids Triathlon and the Reston Sprint Triathlon. The latter has helped raise more than $100,000 for Reston Interfaith.

Boofie O'Gorman, a Realtor with  also serves as the chair of the board of managers for the and chair of the Capitol Steps Benefit to support Reston Interfaith.

Graceful Spaces (Community/Civic Organization) - Jean Boston, Karen Hale and Anne Strange use their interior design savvy to provide furnishings and organizational skills to families in transitional housing. Since 2008, the group has served 66 families and has dedicated more than 2,800 hours of community service.

Reston Little League (Community/Civic Organization) - The league teaches love of baseball, respect for community and the lessons of sportsmanship to 700 girls and boys each year.

In 2011, Reston National, a team of 12- and 13-year-old All Stars,  RLL has been active in the community for 40 years, depending on 450 parents to volunteer for various jobs and fundraising.