More than a hundred supporters and well-wishers gathered Wednesday evening, June 30, at Columbia Firehouse restaurant to bid farewell to Diane Charles, who for the last 12 years served as executive director of Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia.
"I have seen her dedication first hand," said Vice Mayor Kerry Donley, referring to Charles' tenure as his aide during his years as mayor. "She cares and works to do the right thing and has been a mentor to other nonprofit leaders."
Also in attendance was SCAN founder Dave Cleary, who praised Charles for her tireless work to end the cycle of abuse for more than 3,000 children served by the organization over the years.
"Our staff is an incredible group of people," Charles said at the reception that was sponsored by SCAN supporters Jack Taylor and Shawn McLaughlin. "They are doing this work for the right reasons and any acknowledgment SCAN has gotten over the years is because of them."
Charles officially stepped down July 1 and is replaced by Sonia Quinonez, who previously served as SCAN's director of development.
"I feel truly blessed," Charles said. "Thank you for all of this."