Community Corner

Meet Herndon's Citizen of the Year

Read about everything he has done for the Town of Herndon and greater Fairfax area, which earned him this honor.

Submitted by Bob Packard, Herndon Rotary Club

The Herndon Rotary Club is pleased to announce that Doug Downer is Herndon's Citizen of the Year.  Doug is the 48th recipient of this highest honor, presented annually by the club.

Doug has continued the tradition of a successful family business with its roots in Herndon. He is also an exceptional volunteer who has given of himself on behalf of many organizations within the town and throughout Northern Virginia.  Among those have been Leadership Fairfax, Volunteer Fairfax, and the Herndon Chamber of Commerce, of which he became their youngest president. 

In 2000, he was named Distinguished Volunteer of the Year by the Town of Herndon.

Doug’s legacy will lie in the event he founded in 1995, when the Herndon Town Green opened to Friday Night Live! This amazing concert series has steadily drawn thousands to downtown Herndon. It has served multiple purposes since its inception—it is the marketing driver for Herndon, introducing many to the charms of our historic downtown. It is a gathering place for people of all ages as they come together with friends, family and music, while also supporting the community. And, the concerts have raised well over $100,000 in support of Herndon High School’s drug- and alcohol-free activities to include the All Night Grad and post-Prom parties; the Girls Softball team and Sports Boosters Club; the PTAs of several elementary schools; the Herndon Optimist Club; and, the Fraternal Order of Police.  

Friday Night Live! has been named the finest free summer concert series in the entire D.C. Metro area by the Washington Post, as well as the “Best of the Best” in the Northern Virginia magazine.  It has spread the name of Herndon throughout our region.

Doug will be honored at a banquet to be held at the Crown Plaza Dulles Airport, 2200 Centreville Road in Herndon, on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.  Everyone is invited to participate in this community event, which will honor them while recognizing other supporters of the Rotary Club of Herndon’s community outreach.  

Reservations should be made before Feb. 1, by contacting Pat Williams at 703-582-9482 or pat@gracefulcare.com.

Congratulate Doug Downer in the comments!


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