Thank you to all who attended the 2023 Giving Gala & Community Hero Awards. We are grateful for your support!

November 4 | 6-11 p.m.

Reston Community Center

Giving Gala & Community Hero Awards

Photo by East 27 Creative

Our 2023 Community Hero Awardees

2023 CORE Volunteer of the Year – Jennifer Heffner

Video by CoCreateAble LLC with voice-over by Danielle Daily

2023 CORE Community Hero – Didi Gray

Video by CoCreateAble LLC with voice-over by Danielle Daily

2023 CORE Community Hero – Todd Shea

Video by CoCreateAble LLC with voice-over by Danielle Daily

2023 CORE Partner of the Year – Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce

Video by CoCreateAble LLC with voice-over by Danielle Daily

2023 CORE Cause Rookie of the Year – Hats for Zoe

Video by CoCreateAble LLC with voice-over by Danielle Daily

2023 CORE Cause of the Year – Smiles from Sarah

Video by CoCreateAble LLC with voice-over by Doug Bushée

Our 2023 President’s Volunteer Service Awardees

2023 Presidents Volunteer Service Awardees

Photo by East 27 Creative

Left to right: Amelia Anderson, Audrey Nord-Murphy, August Rivers, Suzanne Zurn, Jennifer Heffner, Taralyn Tharp Kohler (CEO), Chris Matschat, Doug Bushée (Founder)

Not pictured: Ally Chen, Emma Chen, Kevin Milks, Laura Silipigni, Megan Stoudt

Our 2022 Community Hero Awardees

2022 CORE Volunteer of the Year – Suzanne Zurn
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

2022 CORE Community Hero – Rosa Simon
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

2022 CORE Community Hero – Amelia Anderson
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

2022 CORE Partner of the Year – Gregorio’s Trattoria
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

2022 CORE Cause Rookie of the Year – NOVA Prism Center & Library LLC
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

2022 CORE Cause of the Year – Friends of Fairfax Falcons
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

Our 2021 Community Hero Awardees

2021 CORE Volunteer of the Year – Mark Moody
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

2021 CORE Cause of the Year – Swim Team Dads
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

2021 CORE Foundation Community Hero – The Bike Lane
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

2021 CORE Foundation Community Hero – Sophia Brown
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

2021 CORE Foundation Community Hero – Dannielle LaRosa
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

2021 CORE Foundation Community Hero – Lydia Russo
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

2021 CORE Foundation Community Hero – Amy Shaw
Video by CoCreateAble LLC

All of Our Amazing Hero Awardees

(2019-2023)

CORE Cause of the Year

  • Smiles from Sarah (2023)
  • Fairfax Falcons (2022)
  • Swim Team Dads (2021)
  • Helping Hungry Kids (2020)
  • Amy’s Amigos BeAMYazing Reston Youth Triathlon (2019)

CORE Cause Rookie of the Year

  • Hats for Zoe (2023)
  • NoVa Prism Center (2022)
  • Off The Charts Club (2020)
  • Yuniverse Foundation (2019)

Volunteer of the Year Award

  • Jennifer Heffner (2023)
  • Suzanne Zurn (2022)
  • Mark Moody (2021)

Community Partners

  • Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce (2023)
  • Gregorio’s Trattoria (2022)
  • The Bike Lane (2021)
  • Restoration Church (2020)
  • USA Triathlon Foundation (2020)
  • YMCA Fairfax County Reston (2020)
  • Atlantic Union Bank (2019)
  • BARE Snacks (2019)

Community Heroes

  • Didi Gray (2023)
  • Todd Shea (2023)
  • Amelia Anderson (2022)
  • Dannielle LaRosa (2022)
  • Lydia Russo (2022)
  • Amy Shaw (2022)
  • Rosa Simon (2022)
  • Change the World For Girls (2022)
  • Susie Livingood (2020)
  • Allison McCue (2020)
  • John Schaller (2020)
  • Meg Donnelly (2019)
  • Anna Gibson (2019)
  • Raba Letteri (2019)
  • Lake Anne SUP Tri (2019)

Newcomer Impact Award

Desk Dream Team

  • Essentials for Education (2020)
  • Desks for Distance (2020)
  • Woodworking with a Purpose (2020)