Herndon Residents, Businesses Honored at Mayors Volunteer Awards

Many of Herndon’s volunteers were honored at the 28th annual Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation Night on April 15.

Mayor Steve DeBenedittis, members of the Herndon Town Council, and keynote speaker Andrew Horn, social entrepreneur and advocate, honored more than 425 volunteers for their work giving back to the community.

Distinguished service awards were presented to three individuals, and the new Distinguished Corporate Service Award was presented to two companies.

Distinguished service awards were presented to Bob Ashdown, Anthony and Marcia DiTripani, and Dave Kirby.

Ashdown has been a volunteer for LINK Against Hunger for 40 years, helping to make sure the organization can serve more than 7,000 people in need in Herndon, Sterling and Ashburn.

Anthony and Marcia DiTripani have been active volunteers in the community since 1969, much of it with Herndon-Reston FISH.

Kirby has volunteered with the American Legion, organizing the Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day services, managing the Legion’s Herndon Festival booth, and volunteering for Friday Night Live! for more than five years.

Maude Hair Salon and Dominion Power were chosen to receive the Distinguished Corporate Service Award.

Maude was recognized for its contributions to the community during the last nine years, including cut-a-thons, fundraising drives, helping the homeless, a teen fashion show, and supporting the No Mother Left Behind campaign to help make women in need in the community feel beautiful during the holidays.

Dominion Power has worked with Herndon-Reston FISH for more about 20 years, helping ensure the electricity in homes of people in crisis is not discontinued. The company also provides meeting space and representation on the FISH board of directors and its employees frequently donate to FISH’s Bargain Loft.

Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation Night is part of National Volunteer Week. The committee who chose the Distinguished Service Awards and Corporate Awards included former winners George Price and Louise Rooney, as well as Herndon Patch editor Leslie Perales.