Fairfax Businesses Honored for Commitment to Community

Three Fairfax businesses were honored by the County and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) last week, out of more than 50 nominees, for their contributions to the community at the Celebrate Partnerships awards ceremony at the Mason Inn and Conference Center.

More than 55 businesses and community groups were nominated for these annual awards, which focus on individuals and groups who partner with the County and FCPS to give back to the community in which they work and live.

The event was attended by more than 380 people, who heard from Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova, Fairfax County School Board Chair Ilryong Moon, Deputy Division Superintendent Richard Moniuszko, and Fairfax County Director Rob Staltzer. 

“Hundreds of our local business and individuals are giving their time, talent and resources as partners in the community. When businesses, the County, FCPS and the local nonprofits team up everybody is a winner,” said Patricia Stevens, executive director of the Fairfax County Office of Public Private Partnerships.

“Together with Fairfax County, we are continually amazed at the generosity and talent our partners provide on a daily basis. These partnerships positively impact our community’s youth, which I predict will create a better tomorrow,” said Jay Garant, coordinator of business and community partnerships for Fairfax County Public Schools.

These three Fairfax organizations were chosen to receive key Celebrate Partnerships awards:

Live Healthy Fairfax (formerly The Partnership for Healthier Fairfax) aims to transform the community into a place "where everyone may lead healthier, more productive lives," representatives say.

"Too many children and adults in the Fairfax community face preventable health risk factors such as inadequate physical activity; poor nutrition; heart disease; obesity; and tobacco, alcohol or drug use," said Julie Knight, Live Healthy Fairfax co-chair. "A healthy community means more than good medical care; it involves giving everyone the opportunity to make healthy choices—this is called 'health equity.'"

"In addition to identifying strategies for preventing chronic diseases, the Live Healthy Fairfax effort is promoting policy, systems and environmental changes that will help Fairfax achieve its vision: 'Fairfax—an engaged and empowered community working together to achieve optimal health and well-being for all who live, work and play here,'" Knight added.

Live Healthy Fairfax was chosen for an award because "the work of the partnership has helped the County to fulfill its obligations and address community health needs through innovative approaches funded by a nearly $4-million grant," Celebrate Partnerships representatives said.

A Way Forward (originally known as the Friends of the Victim Assistance Network, or VAN), for more than 30 years, has been an active and essential partner in community efforts to end domestic and sexual violence in Fairfax County, awards representatives said.

The goal of A Way Forward is to support survivors and their families as they move out of violent situations and into safer and more secure environments.

Partnering with service organizations and agencies like the Office for Women & Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (OFWDSVS) and the Police Victim Services Section (VSS), A Way Forward supplies clients with necessary items and emergency funding for needs such as grocery and gas cards, transportation, and temporary housing.

The organization was chosen for an award because "A Way Forward makes possible many things that community organizations cannot do on their own," awards representatives said. "They provide essential elements that help survivors and victims transition to safety. Meeting victims' basic and urgent needs helps us all - clients and service providers - focus more on safety and their futures."

The third Fairfax organization recognized with an award was Univisión.

 Univisión is a Spanish-language television network primarily dedicated for Latin American families who reside in the United States. It has the largest audience of Spanish-language television viewers in the world, according to Nielsen ratings. 

Since October of 2011, the Fairfax County Office of Elections has collaborated with Univisión to better inform the growing community of bilingual voters for whom English is their second language.

Univisión also helped the Elections Office publicize the need for bilingual elections officers by running frequent public service announcements.

"After the first PSA, and every time it ran thereafter, the Elections office would get a huge uptick in calls from potential bilingual election officers," awards representatives said. "It was evident by the call volume that the PSAs ran!"

Univisión was selected for an award because "their commitment addressed a vital community need in providing knowledge, service opportunity, networking and empowerment to allow Spanish-speaking citizens to engage as a part of the larger community through the election process," awards representatives said.

Here is a full list of award winners for 2013, including several more from Fairfax:

OP3 Award Winners:

Small Business Resource Champion  - Comstock Partners
Blue Ribbon Partnership - Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax 
Community Resource Connector - A Way Forward
Media/Communications Partnership  - Univision
Large Business Resource Champion - Target
Tony Griffin Partnership Leader - Kevin Cao, Thomas Jefferson High School 

Fairfax County Public Schools Award Winners:

 Blue Ribbon Mentoring - Providence Elementary School 
Blue Ribbon Outstanding Event - Exxon Mobil Corporation, Micron Technology, Northrop Grumman Information Systems, Noblis, SRC Inc.
Blue Ribbon Workforce Development  - DoD CIO & IT/TM
Community Partner of the Year   - Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
Business Partner of the Year - Time Warner Cable
Bruce Oliver Leadership Award (Business) - Judy Hubka, Exxon Mobil Corporation
Bruce Oliver Leadership Award (Community) –Evan Glazer, FCPS Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

What do you think of the Celebrate Partnerships initiative and awards? Tell us in the comments below.

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