The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce received the 2012 Chamber of Commerce Community Connector Award from Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
The award was presented at the annual Celebrate Partnerships Awards on May 21, which celebrate public-private partnerships and honor the contributions of businesses and community partners to the County and FCPS.
"The Fairfax Chamber is honored to receive this award," said Fairfax Chamber President & CEO Jim Corcoran. "We’re pleased to have such a strong partnership with Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools. Serving as a connector between the business community and government and our school system is critical to the Chamber’s mission, and something our Chamber is very passionate about. When business, government and education come together in partnership great things happen."
In 2011, the Chamber partnered with the Office to Prevent & End Homelessness on the Jeans Day Campaign to Put the Zip on Homelessness, which raised nearly $14,000 to end homelessness in just one day.
The Chamber also re-launched the Education Foundation to Support Fairfax County Public Schools in January 2011. Since its re-launch, the Foundation has raised more than $700,000 for key school programs and initiatives including STEM education, teacher training, assistance for needy students and more. In addition, the Chamber led the School Board appointed "Vote Yes" committee for the $252 million school bond.
Other award recipients include Chamber Executive Committee and Board of Directors member Doug Brammer of Verizon, who received the Pro Bono Champion Award, and Chamber member company Helios HR, which received the Small Business Resource Partner Award.