Garden Party Introduces Potential Donors to McLean Community Foundation

More than 100 McLean neighbors gathered Friday in the backyard of McLean's most historic address, Salona, to celebrate the 30th birthday of the McLean Community Foundation and help raise money for the community benefactor.

"The foundation has been under the radar and we're trying to raise our profile," said Richard "Rip" Sullivan, new president of the board of trustees of the foundation. "We hope that the people here will learn more about the foundation and help us raise money," he said.

Here are the highlights of the garden party, which included with wine and dinner, that swept across Salona's expansive backyard and garden with the historic home as the backdrop.

Who came: Hosts Dan and Karen Duval, owners of Salona. Lots of politicians who are running for office in November: Dranesville Supervisor John Foust. Dranesville School Board member Jane Strauss. Virginia House of Delegates member Barbara Comstock (R-McLean, Great Falls, part of Loudoun County). Attorney Pam Danner, who is Comstock's Democratic opponent in November. Danner just stepped down at president of the foundation board. Del. Bob Brink, (D-Arlington, most of McLean), one of the three state delegates now representing McLean.

John Brough, president and CEO, of Chain Bridge Bank. Tom Jacobi, owner of Langley Digital Photo. McLean Community Center board members: Jay Howell and Chad Quinn. McLean historian Carole Herrick and husband Philip. Vic Kimm, a retired senior executive with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency who was named Outstanding Community Citizen last year by the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce.

McLean Project for the Arts president Nancy Perry and board members Devereux Socas, Elizabeth Huffman and husband Bob. Gary Blaise, who ran unsuccessfully for chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and wife Ann. Stephen Cho, owner of Salona Jewelers. Ghassan Abukurah, an architect, and new head of the McLean Planning Committee. Scott Monett, former president of the Planning Committee

Where: Salona, McLean's oldest and most historic home.

During the War of 1812, it is thought that Salona hosted President James Madison when he fled Washington as the British approached to burn it. The house was headquarters for a Union general in the early days of the Civil War. Its fields hosted thousands of tents and campfires for soldiers. The house is an historic landmark and has its own historical marker.

What: The McLean Community Foundation created by the McLean Citizens Association (MCA), is like the old-fashioned Community Chest -- it gives money to help finance very local McLean organizations.

"We support a sense of community, building and nurturing McLean as a community and a home," Sullivan said.

Del. Bob Brink came because, "This is one of the groups that makes McLean a special place."

Brink is also introducing himself to his new constituents. His 48th District was redrawn to include the bulk of McLean.

Bob Huffman came because "We're friends of the Duvals and interested in learning more about the McLean Community Foundation."

Devereux Socas came because , "I'm on the board of MPA (McLean Project for the Arts) and these are my people."