Arlington Cares

A Celebration of Volunteerism

Volunteer Arlington honors and recognizes individuals and groups who are making a difference through volunteering at its annual Arlington Cares event. The event celebrates annual award winners and people who have spent 100 hours or more volunteering for an individual organization in the previous year.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual celebration of volunteerism, Arlington Cares. The event celebrates volunteers who are regularly making a difference in our community.

Date: Thursday, July 13, 2023
Time: 5 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: NRECA, 4301 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA

2023 Volunteer Award Winners

Lifetime of Service Award: Carol Skelly, Developmental Disabilities Committee, Arlington Community Services Board
Distinguished County Service Award: Andrea Walker, Arlington Commission on Aging and Us Bus Inter-generational Walking School Bus
Distinguished Corporate Service Award: Bayou Bakery, Chef David Guas
RSVP Award: Kristen Pollard, Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church
Group Service Award: The McPherson-Holland Family, Encore Stage and Studio
Youth Service Award: Avery Park, Doorways
Volunteer Arlington Award: Mary Highsmith, The Shepherd’s Center of McLean-Arlington-Falls Church

100 Hours of Service

The following individuals or groups were recognized at the Arlington Cares event for having volunteered more than 100 hours with their particular organizations, between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023.

Nomination and Award Timeline

February 1, 2023: Nominations open. See award descriptions and nomination forms below.
Tuesday, May 2: Nomination deadline.
- Mid-May: Nominators and award winners contacted
Tuesday, June 13: Deadline for nonprofit and Arlington County partners to submit names of volunteers who have served 100+ hours during the course of the previous year. Download submission form and email to volarl@leadercenter.org.
Thursday, July 13, 5 - 7:00 p.m.: Awards presented at "Arlington Cares: A Celebration of Volunteerism."

Award Categories

Read all about the awards.

The Community Awards include the following categories:

Lifetime of Service (This award recognizes and celebrates an individual for whom volunteerism and service to others is a part of the fabric of their being.)
Distinguished County Service (Given to an individual or group who, through volunteerism, have shown outstanding commitment and care to the citizens of Arlington.)
Distinguished Corporate Service (Given to a private, Arlington business or corporation, or an employee volunteer group thereof, that through volunteerism, has shown outstanding commitment and care to the citizens of Arlington.)
Racial Equity Civic Engagement (Given to an individual or group who has shown a substantive commitment to racial equity. The award recognizes those who build on representation, and fully integrate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging throughout their work.
RSVP (Representing the efforts of the RSVP Northern Virginia program, which works with volunteers ages 55 and older, this individual is 55 or over and has used their skills and interests to make a valuable, lasting impact in our community.)
Family or Group Volunteer Service (Given to a family or group who has made caring and volunteerism core values and whose work has included all ages in making a difference in Arlington.)
Youth Volunteer Service (Given to a youth who has chosen to go above and beyond service hour requirements.)

The Volunteer Arlington Partner Award recognizes an exceptional Volunteer Coordinator, paid or unpaid, who has exceeded the organization's requirements for volunteer and civic engagement.

2022 Arlington Cares Celebration

On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, Volunteer Arlington celebrated the 2022 Community Volunteer Award winners along with people who have spent 100 hours or more volunteering for an individual organization between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.

Watch the recording of the celebration:

2022 Volunteer Award Winners

Volunteer Arlington Award: Les Garrison, CERT
Racial Equity Civic Engagement Award: Julius D. Spain, Sr., NAACP, Arlington Branch 
Group Service Award: John and Adrienne Scribner, Boy Scout Troop 106
RSVP Award: Patricia Hupalo, Rebuilding Together
Distinguished Corporate Service Award: AvalonBay Communities, Inc. with APAH
Distinguished County Service Awards:
- Robin Norman Depaoli, National Capital Treatment and Recovery
- Arlington Neighborhood Village volunteer group
Lifetime of Service Award: Meg Tuccillo, PathForward

2021 Arlington Cares Celebration

This free, virtual event recognized Community Service Award Winners and reminded us of the importance of serving others, especially in the midst of a pandemic. Thank you to those who joined us for a heartwarming opportunity for all ages to celebrate the overwhelming goodness that is within our community.