Lindsay, Thomas, Glakas Honored for Service to the Community

Marvin “Pete” Lindsay, Bob Thomas and Barbara Glakas were honored with the town’s Distinguished Service Award at Sunday’s 27th annual Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation Awards.

More than 360 others were nominated for the service they provided to the town, with nominations coming from 36 different groups.

Members of the Town Council were joined by Sen. Janet Howell, Del. Tom Rust, Fairfax County Dranesville district Supervisor John Foust and the evening’s keynote speaker, Scott Thuman of ABC 7 News and News Channel 8.

The town of Herndon honors up to three people for the Distinguished Service Award each year. It is the highest level of recognition awarded to volunteers in the town. Individuals were chosen based on their high levels of service over many years, or with projects that need significant leadership, service and effort. The service must directly benefit the town.

Seven nominations were received this year, and those nominated served in multiple organizations for 10 or more years in a variety of ways—through arts groups, community-wide events, youth sports, promoting neighborhood beautification and more.

Lindsay has served the Council for the Arts of Herndon for more than 25 years, helping with every event the organization held during that time. He has been a member of the Herndon Towne Square Singers since its start 27 years ago and has never missed a show. He has also been a member of the Treble Clefs for 16 years.

“It’s quite an honor,” Lindsay said of the award. “It was quite a surprise to me.” He said when Mayor Steve DeBenedittis began describing his list of volunteer work it eventually dawned on him that he was the one being spoken about. He said it was a pleasant surprise. He said the goal in volunteering is not to win awards, but to help with a cause.

Thomas is passionate about his work with Herndon-Reston Youth Softball. He has served as commissioner for the organization for five years, conducting coach orientations and training, conducting weekly skills clinics the majority of the year, encouraging players to get involved in the community and more. He has been a T-ball team parent, Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader and volunteers in his son’s classroom.

“It’s an honor,” Thomas said. “In a way it’s kind of a challenge for me because there’s so many people that make our group a success. We’re a big family.” He said it’s everybody working together that makes Herndon-Reston Youth Softball work. He said he feels it’s important to teach the girls involved in the program the importance of community and volunteering, as well as showing them they can be athletes.  

Glakas has served the town in a number of ways, including being active in her homeowners association, volunteering for NatureFest, National Night Out and at ArtSpace, assisting the Herndon Harbor House in many projects and more. She started Christmas caroling for residents of Harbor House, is on the Holiday Homes Tour Committee and is a member of the town’s Cultivating Community Initiative.

“I’m really honored and the award really took me by surprise,” Glakas said. She said she really enjoys volunteering and helping others when she can. She said Herndon affords many opportunities for community members to get involved and volunteer their time.