Annandale Local Hero: Support For Vietnamese Community, Volunteerism

ANNANDALE, VA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Phil Hattwick who nominated Demi Le Nguyen of Annandale.

Local hero’s full name

Demi Le Nguyen

Local hero’s home state

Virginia

Local hero’s Patch

Annandale

How do you know the local hero?

Volunteering and friend

What does the local hero do?

Interpreter at Fairfax County Courthouse

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

- Food distribution from two separate pantries
- Organizing events between Falls Church Police, Fairfax County Police and Fairfax County Sheriff's Department and the Vietnamese community in Virginia
- Organizing events between Falls Church VFW and Vietnamese community
- Providing food to local police departments
- Food service at Bailey's Crossroads Homeless Shelter
- Donating her time to give courtroom advice to Vietnamese families in need of guidance in the court process. Frequently before and after her shift at the courthouse you can find her helping individuals in the hallway who appear lost.
- Most recently (Oct 2022) raising awareness of a crime spree scamming jewelry from shoppers in Falls Church. Demi Le is so well known that an NBC Channel 4 news reporter interviewed on the topic to help warn the public to be on guard.
- Records news weekly for the Vietnamese community for Saigon Broadcasting Television Network (now VATV)
- She is currently in the Fairfax County Auxiliary Police academy and will soon be adding Police detail to her volunteer contributions!

I often remind her she is working more than full time for Fairfax County and the community...she just isn't getting paid for it.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

She's the true American Dream story. Escaped from the collapse of Vietnam (her father was a General in the Vietnamese army), grew up in Annandale, raised her family in Annandale and now gives back as a community leader.

Thank you for all you do, Demi Le Nguyen!

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Know someone making a difference in town? Nominate them as a local hero here.