Community Corner
Cappies Glory, Amazon HQ2 Opening, West Point Mission: NoVA Good News
Good news in NoVA this week includes Amazon HQ2 pomp and circumstance, John R. Lewis HS scholarships and Cappies wins for theater students.
VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Northern Virginia include alumni of John R. Lewis High School remembering one of their classmates by giving scholarships to graduating seniors in his name, an Alexandria nonprofit receiving a $4 million gift from a renowned philanthropist who happens to be Jeff Bezos's ex-wife, and Amazon celebrating the grand opening of its new HQ2 in Arlington.
Plus, high school theater students across Northern Virginia are big winners at the 2023 Cappies Gala at the Kennedy Center, a West Point cadet helps homeless veterans in Vienna, and the Arlington Historical Society raises enough funds to save the oldest structure in the county from destruction.
Here are some of this week's good news headlines:
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John R. Lewis High School 2023 Graduates Awarded Memorial Scholarships
Four graduating seniors from the John R. Lewis High School in Springfield were each awarded $1,000 scholarships from a fund created in honor of Ashraf Hani Sabah, a 2003 graduate of the school. Sabah, a football player who envisioned a life of public service, died unexpectedly in 2006, three years after graduating from what was then called Robert E. Lee High School.
Campagna Center Gets $4M From Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
A nonprofit providing programs to Alexandria youth and adults will be able to complete renovations and expand programs with a $4 million gift. The Campagna Center announced Thursday that its $6.7 million capital campaign has exceeded its goal. A big reason for the campaign reaching its goal was the $4 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, a philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. This was the single largest donation in the nonprofit's history.
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West Point Cadet Helps Homeless Veterans With Vienna Collection Event
During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Military Academy West Point cadet Caleb Suh started a nonprofit to help the DC region's elderly veterans. That mission of Operation Golden Shield soon expanded to help homeless veterans as the DC area has seen homelessness rise. This summer, Operation Golden Shield's mission will be in full force with a collection event for care packages to be given to homeless veteran at Vienna Presbyterian Church.
Refuge For Freed Slaves Honored By Fairfax County For 190th Anniversary
West Ford was a freed slave of George Washington's family when he acquired property north of Washington's estate. That land was founded as Gum Springs, which became a refuge for freed slaves and runaways. Today, Gum Springs claims the title of Fairfax County's oldest African American community. As the community celebrates its 190th anniversary of its founding, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized Gum Springs with a proclamation.
Arlington Historical Society Reaches Goal To Save Ball-Sellers House
The Arlington Historical Society reached its fundraising goal of $6,000 to save the Ball-Sellers House from powderpost beetles. The money raised in the GoFundMe campaign will be used for the spraying and moisture barrier that will protect the home from powderpost beetles, which have been eating away at the house. “The GoFundMe campaign has been deactivated and thank yous are going out to donors,” the historical society said.
Ribbon-Cuttings
- Amazon Celebrates Grand Opening Of HQ2's First Phase In Arlington
- VHC Health Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony For $250M Outpatient Pavilion
Cappies Glory
- Review: Cappies Gala Fosters DC Area Students' Theater Talent
- South Lakes Musical 'Bright Star' Wins 10 Cappies Awards
- Lake Braddock Wins 5 Cappies Awards For Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'
- Mount Vernon, Thomas Jefferson High School Win Cappies Awards
- Herndon High Critic, South Lakes Musical 'Bright Star' Win Cappies
- McLean High School Wins 3 Cappies Awards For 'Claudio Quest'
- Langley Wins 2 Cappies Awards For 'The Man Who Came To Dinner'
- 2 Actors From WT Woodson High Win Cappies For 'One Man, Two Guvnors'
- Bishop Ireton Wins 2 Cappies Awards For 'The Music Man'
- Madison Wins 1 Cappies Award For 'Much Ado About Nothing'
- Wakefield Wins Cappies Award For 'Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical'
Arts and Entertainment
- Lake Anne Elementary Students Create Art With Fairway Underpass Artist
- Tinner Hill Music Festival Brings The Blues And Fun To Falls Church
- Alexandria Harmonizers Fill City Hall With Song For 75th Anniversary
- Lego Discovery Center Sets Opening Date For Springfield Attraction
- Movement Indoor Climbing Gym Coming To Fair Oaks Mall In 2024
Business News
- Austrian Manufacturer TELE Relocates US Operation To Herndon
- Free Food For A Year Giveaway Planned At Seven Corners Wendy's
- New Nail Salon In Del Ray Offers Volcano Detox Pedicure
More Good News Stories
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