Hundreds of volunteers with a combined total of nearly 50,000 hours of community service over the past year were saluted at a recent celebration.
The “Arlington Cares” event, sponsored by Volunteer Arlington, honored 477 local volunteers on Oct. 13.
“We need nights like this,” said Lisa Fikes, president/CEO of the Leadership Center of Arlington, which hosts the event. She saluted volunteers for “their meaningful service” that is “shaping the hearts and minds of those around them.”
Volunteer Arlington is a collaborative effort between the county government and the Leadership Center.
“We serve as a hub for bringing people together for the common good,” said Karen Rosales, a local banking executive who chairs the Leadership Center of Arlington board.
Awards were presented to all age groups and for a variety of initiatives at the ceremony, held on the Arlington campus of George Mason University.
“I hope that people can be inspired to make a difference,” said Michael Kuoh, who with Leah Williams received the Youth Service Award for establishing a local chapter of ACEing Autism.
The initiative uses tennis to support youth with autism spectrum disorder.
“Small impacts can really make a big difference,” Williams said.
Among organizations that partner with Volunteer Arlington, 477 individuals provided at least 100 hours of volunteer service over the past year, Fikes said. That equates to $1.76 million in services, she said.
Laura Cooke, who received the Distinguished County Service Award for her efforts on behalf of Arlington Thrive, said volunteers play a major role in the community.
“We are all counting on each other,” she said.
Honored with Lifetime of Service Awards were Peter Olivere, for his work with Arlington Neighborhood Village, and Randy Randall, for volunteerism with the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC).
“I grew up here, I went to school here,” said Randall, a past president of the Green Valley Civic Association.
Upon retirement, he began volunteering with AFAC and was hooked.
“I wanted to be part of that group, be able to give back,” Randall said. “I’m very proud to be part of a team — it’s an inspiration.”
Olivere was a founder of Arlington Neighborhood Village, which provides services allowing seniors to age in place in the community.
“It’s a great organization,” he said.
Like Randall, Olivere has turned his retirement years into a chance to assist others.
“Volunteering has been an integral part of my life for the last 15 years,” said Olivere, who in 2023 was honored by the Inter-Service Club Council of Arlington with its Community Leader Award for his local service.
Others honored at the Oct. 13 Volunteer Arlington event included:
- Distinguished Corporate Service Award: Winking Fish, for service to Arlington Free Clinic
- Group Service Award: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Delta Tau Omega chapter, in collaboration with Gunston Middle School
- Volunteer Arlington Award: Kim Roehl, AFAC, and Peter Fleckenstein, Aspire! Afterschool Learning
The next major activity sponsored by Volunteer Arlington will be its Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service, to be held on Jan. 18.
