Julian Fore, ACF president; Wanda Pierce, ACF executive director; Lola Reinsch, honoree; and Judge William T. Newman, Jr., ACF founder. Lloyd Wolf
More than 360 people, including government officials, business and nonprofit leaders, as well as civic activists, gathered at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel on Nov. 12 to participate in the Arlington Community Foundation’s annual Spirit of Community Award Luncheon, now in its 21st year.
Attendees listened to keynote speaker Preston Caruthers, chairman emeritus of Caruthers Properties, LLC and local businessman and philanthropist. Caruthers spoke of his life story of hard work and giving back — from his days as a young man in Oklahoma to living in Arlington, the community he has called home for more than 60 years.
This year’s recipient of the William T. Newman, Jr. Spirit of Community Award was local businesswoman and philanthropist Lola C. Reinsch. The award is named in honor of the foundation’s founder and president emeritus and was established to recognize an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and made an extraordinary contribution to the Arlington community.
Reinsch was raised in Arlington and attended public school. Following in the entrepreneurial footsteps of her parents, Reinsch is the chief executive officer of the E.G. Reinsch Companies. Reinsch has shared her talents and resources with many Arlington organizations, businesses and residents.
Reinsch said her giving values were instilled in her by her father, a contributor to the Arlington community. She joins a roster of Spirit of Community honorees: John Andelin and Ginger Geoffrey, Anna S. Barber, Jean Berg, Elizabeth P. Campbell, Preston Caruthers, Judy Connally, Joan Cooper, Karen Darner, Jennie T. Davis, Richard Doud, Jr., Ralph Johnson, John McCracken, H. Paul Mount, Mary Ann Nirschl, Charles L. Overby, J. Eric Schaeffer, Walter Tejada, The Honorable George D. Varoutsos and The Woman’s Club of Ashton Heights.
Founded in 1991, the Arlington Community Foundation is an independent charitable organization that actively promotes, protects and improves the quality of life for those who live or work in Arlington. The Arlington Community Foundation has awarded over $11 million in college scholarships and grants to nonprofit organizations, including more than $1.8 million in 2013. For more information on the Arlington Community Foundation visit www.arlcf.org.More than 360 people, including government officials, business and nonprofit leaders, as well as civic activists, gathered at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel on Nov. 12 to participate in the Arlington Community Foundation’s annual Spirit of Community Award Luncheon, now in its 21st year.