Reston Baha'i Community recognizes four with Spirit of Service Awards

Source: Times Community Newspapers

Fairfax County

By Evan Frank

efrank@timespapers.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 2006 (updated June 4, 2007)

These annual awards are presented as part of Black History Month. The awards ceremony was held this year on Feb. 18 at the Lake Anne branch of the Reston Community Center.

Vicky Sadrzadeh, committee liaison for the Spirit of Service Awards, explained that a number of reputable businesses and organizations are notified of the event by the committee and asked to nominate an individual of African descent. The nominee can be young or old, male or female. What is important, is that they have performed, or continue to perform, an outstanding service for Reston and the greater community.

This year's recipients of the Spirit of Service Awards were Dr. Jacquelyn Y. Madry-Taylor, Aaron Sawyer, Leomia Brunson and Carol Bradley. Hunter Mill Supervisor Catherine Hudgins (D), a former awardee,

Dr. Jacquelyn Y. Madry-Taylor

Award recipient Dr. Jacquelyn Y. Madry-Taylor currently chairs the Board of Visitors' Academic Affairs Committee at Norfolk State University, but, as a Reston resident for more than 20 years, she has had a distinguished career in the Northern Virginia area for some time now.

Madry-Taylor was the first African-American chief academic officer at Northern Virginia Community College and is an active member of Jack and Jill of America, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of African-American children; the Northern Virginia Urban League and the Alfred Street Baptist Church.

Through all these services, Madry-Taylor has mentored and inspired countless students in general, and African American females in particular.

"I'm and advocate for the underrepresented," said Madry-Taylor. "I have been working with our young women to move up the career ladder and complete their education. And receiving this award is encouragement to continue my work."

Madry-Taylor also expressed gratitude to Reston Del. Ken Plum's (D-36th), who nominated her.

Aaron Sawyer

Award recipient Aaron Sawyer, current manager of The Closet in Herndon, works 10 hours a day, six days a week. Such a work schedule would prove daunting for most, but Sawyer doesn't consider The Closet as a job.

"It's a service," said Sawyer. "If I took it as a job, I'd probably have burned out in six months. But this is a mission."

The Closet thrift shop provides coats, clothes, home furnishings, and many other miscellaneous items to the greater community through area charitable organizations.

"I think we're in a life-touching business, Sawyer said. "Everybody is important. It's not just about giving coats and clothes. Everybody doesn't need a coat, but everyone needs to think someone cares about them."

In addition to his work for The Closet, Sawyer himself is a member of the Herndon Free Clinic Board of Directors, and he teaches Sunday School at Beacon Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Herndon.

Sawyer currently lives in Ashburn, but originally moved to Herndon from New Jersey about six and a half years ago.

Leomia Brunson

Leomia Brunson, also a recipient of this year's award, managed The Closet for nearly 27 years before passing the baton to Sawyer. Brunson, took on the same day-to-day tasks as Sawyer, even while working from home when The Closet closed for vacation. Brunsen is known as the heart of The Closet.

Carol Bradley

The fourth awardee, Carol Bradley, champions education and charitable service.

As a retired teacher and former principal of Terraset Elementary School in Reston, Bradley continues to educate local youth by reading in classrooms and tutoring students.

Bradley also works with the AARP group to donate food to Reston Interfaith's Food Pantry and toiletries to Embry Rucker Shelter, and she serves on the Alzheimer's Board of Reston's assisted living facilities.

"I consider it an honor to serve others, said Bradley, a Reston resident of 33 years. "I think that you have to pass on that desire by just participating in volunteer activities and others will see you and want to feel that joy that you are feeling."