Full List of 2013 Best of Braddock Award Winners

A total of six Best of Braddock awards were handed out on Wednesday evening and dozens of Braddock District residents were recognized for their volunteerism at the annual awards ceremony.

See photos from the awards ceremony here.

Co-sponsored by the Braddock District Council (BDC) and Braddock District Supervisor John Cook, the awards are intended to highlight the volunteer efforts of those who live in the Braddock community.

The full list of awards and remarks (provided by Supervisor Cook's office) are below.

Citizen of the Year - Diane DiPietro, past president Kings West Swim Club

"We recognize Diane DiPietro for her tireless efforts in getting a blighted and unused property converted into something positive for her community with the honor of Braddock Citizen of the Year."

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Outstanding Business - The Peterson Companies for the development and management of the Fairfax Corner Center

"This is a new part of the Braddock District, but definitely an area that we can be
proud to have in the Braddock District. Not only does it bring a planned business,
retail and residential community to the district, they are also supportive of the
community. They allow organizations to stage fundraising events in the area, and
provide free summer concerts and children's activities at the Grand Plaza Stage.
They have a wonderful theatre complex, but watching children play in the
interactive water fountain in the Plaza is great entertainment, too! The
restaurants in the center have been great supporters of the Taste of Braddock the last two years, and We all are grateful for that. it is our pleasure to recognize the Peterson Companies as an outstanding business in the Braddock District."

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Most “Can-Do” Public Employee - Ed Richardson, Fairfax County Park Authority

"Ed Richardson is the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) Manager for
Maintenance Area 4 which encompasses that part of the Braddock District West of Wakefield Chapel Road. Ed assumed the managerial position in late October 2011 after the retirement of Mark Rogers.

As the Area 4 Maintenance Manager, Ed has had a very real impact on every
Braddock District citizen that makes use of FCPA parks Within the district. In some situations Ed has Worked behind the scenes and in others he has been out in front working with Braddock District residents to effectively carry out the FCPA mission areas of promoting and protecting our cultural and natural resources, and
providing safe recreation facilities for activities and programs. Ed has been an
important part of the work that was done at Brentwood Park, Lake Accotink Park,
Monticello Park, Royal Lake Park, and the newly created Rabbit Branch Park over
the last two years."

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Neighborhood Enhancement or Beautification - Dave Bowden, FCPA, Craig Carinci, Storm Water Management, and all of the team that worked on the conversion of the Kings West Swim Club property from blighted property to the Rabbit Branch Park

"When the Kings West Swim Club closed, and it became clear that the property could not be developed in any other Way, Supervisor Cook continued to try to figure out what could be done to turn this piece of land into something positive for the community. With the valuable help of Tony Vellucci, Dave Bowden of the Fairfax County Park Authority and Craig Carinci of Storm Water Management figured out a way to remove the parking lot, pool house, deck and tennis courts to create an area with more pervìous surface that could be used as a passive Water filtration area and then eventually converted into parkland. The Rabbit Branch Park was officially dedicated in May 2013. Hundreds of native species plants and trees were planted, and the wildflower seeds that were scattered have already  begun to grow and bloom. Scout troops have already asked if they could use this area to identify native species growth, and the neighboring communities have pledged to help enhance the property in years to come. This project could not have been completed without the expertise of many people, and so we have been asked to also recognize the following individuals: 

Organization Making a Difference in the Community - A tie between the Annandale Food Site and Friends of the Burke Centre Library

"The Friends of the Burke Centre Library provides support for adult and children's
programs, and purchase equipment and materials for the library, supplementing
what the library receives from the county budget.

To raise funds for these programs, they hold three major sales a year of donated
books, CDs, DVDs and videotapes. The proceeds this last year totaled just over
$26,000.

The Friends has donated $12, 510 to the Library Foundation and Fairfax County Public Library during the past year. This money provides support for the Summer Reading Program and other system Wide programs, including Fall for the Book.

There is no doubt this volunteer group provides a valuable service to the residents of Burke, the surrounding Braddock District and beyond."

"The Annandale Food Site opens its doors every Thursday evening to provide food to anyone needing it. When the Food Site opened in June 2009, they served less than a dozen families. Now they see approximately 70 families a Week. They welcome everyone with no referrals necessary. The only exception is that they do not serve minors. All are welcomed with a smile and treated with dignity. They allow the families to come in and select their own food, everyone being allowed the same amount of food. Persons from 6-8 nationality backgrounds are served, so it is easier to let them select their own foods. The site is very strictly run for the safety of everyone there, and peopìe feel comfortable coming there. They give out all the food they have each Week, and the nights when they are low on food can be very difficult for both the patrons and the volunteers. Diapers are given out monthly. School supplies are given to children in the fall. Fresh sandwiches are made and given when school is out to help defray the cost of feeding children 2-3 times a day. Winter coats are given out to children and adults when available. information is provided for people who want to contact the county for assistance. "Santa" arrives with a small gift for each child. Cupcakes, cookies and ice pops are given to the children. All these "extras” are donated by the volunteers.

The Annandale Food Site is very caring group of volunteers who do their best to help the poorest section of Annandale inside the Beltway. It is located at Annandale United Methodist Church, Emmanuel Campus, and the church donates the space for the Food Site to use every week."

Special Achievement or Recognition - Audrey Moore Recreation Center Employees  - Sophie Polnow, Tim Polnow, Connie Polnow, Corey Stoney, Faith Garrish

"While swimming laps on May 18, Doug Padrutt started to feel dizzy. The next
thing he knew he was on the deck surrounded by lifeguards and EMTs. it turned
out he had a heart arrhythmia and his heart had stopped. He went underwater at  that time. The team got ail 230 pounds of Mr. Padrutt out of the Water, started  CPR, administered the AED, called paramedics and got him conscious and calmed  down ail in few short minutes. As a result he has no permanent heart damage, and this 50-year-old father, husband, county resident and tax payer is back at  work. They took their jobs and their training seriously, and represent the best of Braddock District, Fairfax County, Virginia and America."