An Evening in the Heart of Alexandria was a wonderful, warm, delightful event at lovely Gadsby’s Tavern and adjoining 19th century ballroom.  Over 150 people attended and enjoyed great food, music by Jim Lester, a Silent Auction and a spirited live auction featuring former Alexandria Mayor and AVB supporter Kerry Donley. Honorary Event Chair Rob Krupicka welcomed guests including Congressman Jim Moran, State Senator Patsy Ticer, fellow City Council members Tim Lovain and Del Pepper, and Paul Smedberg, School Board member Arthur Peabody and Chamber of Commerce President Elizabeth Moon.

AVB Executive Director Melinda Patrician presented the Joan White Grassroots Volunteer Award to Bill Kehoe. Bill has volunteered for Rebuilding Together Alexandria for almost 15 years, and has been both a House Captain and a Team Leader. He began as a volunteer through a local church and the time he devotes to this endeavor has increased over the years.  This year, he has volunteered for more than 125 hours including Rebuilding Day in April, other project days throughout the year, and trips to the Gulf.
Katharine Medina, RTA’s Executive Director, said “Bill looks to available resources, including supplies and the skill-set of the volunteers, determines what needs to be done and quickly makes decisions to get the project done.”  Kevin Grim, a board member for Rebuilding Together, accept the award on Bill’s behalf as he was, appropriately, in the Gulf helping in the ongoing effort to rebuild in the aftermath of Katrina.

Former State Senator and AVB Founder Marian Van Landingham gave Pat Miller, Arts Commission Chair, the Marian Van Landingham Volunteer of the Year Award.   Pat is the driving force behind many Alexandria events and organizations, including Art on the Avenue, the Old Town Festival of the Arts, the Del Ray Farmer’s Market, Community Partners for Children, the Turkey Trot Road Race, the Del Ray Halloween Parade, and First Thursday.  She has won numerous other awards celebrating her contribution to the community, including Retailer of the Year with her Show of Hands business partner Maria Wasowski, but this award recognized her vast contribution not only as a leader and organizer of events, but as a fellow worker, friend and neighbor.

AVB thanks the event sponsors and individual donors who made the event not only possible but better than ever!  If you were unable to join us this year, make sure we see you next October!

An Evening in the Heart of Alexandria Sponsors

Patrons

Corbin Company
Jack Taylor’s Alexandria Toyota
Jen Walker
Popeye’s of Mt. Vernon Ave.
Debbie Wells

Donors

Alexandria City Council members
Del Pepper, Rob Krupicka, Tim Lovain, Paul Smedberg and Justin Wilson
Carroll Wireless
Gila Harris
Research Opportunities Management

Supporters

Absolute Title and Escrow
Alexandria Hyundai
A Show of Hands
Burke and Herbert Bank and Trust Company
Ann Corson-Jaeger
Diversified Construction Company
Fred M. Seed Foundation
Hudgins Law Firm
Debbie Lee
Fay Slotnick
St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub
Wilson Grand Communication
William D. Euille and Associates

And thanks so much to the event committee, chaired by AVB President Debbie Lee, Courtney Bishop
Kendra Chambers
John Taylor Chapman
Allison Cryor DiNardo
Gila Harris
Ann Huston
Chris Marston
Patricia Moran
Melinda Patrician
Jamee Telford
Debbie Wells

And volunteers Carol Bailey, Annamarie Gildea, Linda Jo Graham, Mary Karstens, Susan McFadden, and Gayle Reuter

And behind the scenes helpers Kevin Dudley, Valerie Makepeace, Gale Pierce and Donna Wiedeman.

Philanthropy and Community Spirit Evident at 9 th Annual Summit

Over 150 business and community leaders, including Mayor William Euille, Senator Patsy Ticer and Council members Del Pepper and Tim Lovain, filled the ballroom at Belle Haven Country Club on March 15 for the 9th Annual Business Philanthropy Summit co-sponsored by AVB, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and the Alexandria Community Trust ACT. Master of ceremonies Kerry Donley energetically facilitated the introduction of 38 nonprofit organizations whose work benefits Alexandrians to the many business leaders that attended, including J. Scott Wilfong, Chairman, President and CEO of SunTrust Bank, Greater Washington, who gave the keynote address. Wilfong stressed the importance of corporate philanthropy, both through monetary gifts and employee participation, a philosophy that SunTrust embraces.

Another highlight of the event was the awards to two businesses for their accomplishments in corporate philanthropy and to one outstanding nonprofit leader. The 2007 Outstanding Business Philanthropist Awards were given to the Corbin Company and Virginia Commerce Bank for their innovative and broad commitment to philanthropy in Alexandria. The Nonprofit Leadership Award was given to Diane Charles, Executive Director of Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia for the leadership of her own organization as well as initiating and heading collaborations in Alexandria and Northern Virginia to prevent child abuse and promote positive parenting.

The event finale was One City, One Plan: A Town Hall Dialogue To Address the Emerging Needs of Alexandria. The discussion was facilitated by Jan Day Gravel of the Chamber of Commerce and featured presentations by Mark Jinks, Deputy City Manager, and Jonelle Wallmeyer, Executive Director of ACT. View a summary of the discussion.

AVB would like to thank the sponsors of the event: Summit Sponsor Comcast; Corporate Sponsors Jack Taylor’s Alexandria Toyota, Popeyes of Mt. Vernon Ave., and SunTrust Bank; and Table Sponsors American Physical Therapy Association, Azalea Charities, Inc., Alexandria Hyundai, William D. Euille and Associates, Carroll Wireless, Corbin Company, Goldworks, Inc., Potomac Yard Development, LLC, Research Opportunities Management, Simpson Realty, St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, and Virginia Commerce Bank.

Below are photos of our Philanthropy Summit award winners.  For a slide show of the Summit by photographer Tony Hidenrick, click here.